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Former arm-wrestling world champion leads local demonstration

Attendees were given the chance to engage in hands-on practice, after he provided demonstrations on proper form and technique. Attendees were also given the chance to try out their skills in friendly matches, with Andrews offering personalized feedback and advice.
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Darren Guidi, left, and Lee GermAnn, along with Paul Andrews (not shown) were ready to take on anyone wanting an arm-wrestling challenge at the Westlock Spirit Centre on Feb. 1.

WESTLOCK – Local arm-wrestling professionals, enthusiasts and newcomers alike had the opportunity to try their hand at the sport during a demonstration and free trial event on Saturday, Feb. 1 at the Westlock Rotary Spirit Centre, led by former world champion arm-wrestler Paul Andrews.

Attendees gathered in the Spirit Centre's main lobby on Saturday evening, excited to gain some valuable insight into the sport. Whether they had never arm-wrestled before or were world-class champs like himself— Andrews was excited to share his passion, skills and high-level expertise with others.

“No skill level was required. I always treat a brand-new person just like I do my own kids,” he says. Andrews said the sport is unique in that it does not have an age limit. Some of his friends are in their late 70s and still are avid arm-wrestlers. “They’re actually very competitive. It’s very inspiring, honestly.”

Andrews wanted to host the event in a fun, friendly, and non-competitive way. Attendees were given the chance to engage in hands-on practice after he provided demonstrations on proper form and technique. They were also given the chance to try out their skills in friendly matches, with Andrews offering personalized feedback and advice.

His goal? To grow the popularity of the sport within the community, hopefully evoking enough interest to one day form a local club. “This demo is really more to get more attraction close to where we live," he said given the limited options for arm-wrestlers to hone their skills in Westlock.

“Currently I drive to Edmonton Arm Wrestling Club every week or two,” he said. This, in addition to his own self-imposed training regimen. “I fill a garbage can full of rice, put my hand down in there and squeeze as hard as I can as many times as I can.” Typically, he does 65 reps three times daily.

Though he does have arm wrestlers come to train with him at his farm near Vimy, Alta, he hopes to gather enough interest in the near future. "It’s nice to have a group that’s more social.” He hopes this event sparked a new passion for those who may have never considered trying the sport out— the same way he fell in love with it 26 years ago.

The arm-wrestling demo has generated positive feedback from the town of Westlock as well, who helped Andrews organize the free event at the Spirit Centre. 

“I love bringing new opportunities to the town, so I was very excited when Paul approached me with the idea,” said Courtney Fedrau, Spirit Centre supervisor, adding “it was great to see how passionate he is for the sport.” This was her first time attending, but the second time the organization has put up the event.

“We hope to do more,” said Fedrau. “I love having the opportunity to bring a new sport to the Spirit Centre and give the community the chance to try something new.”

Andrews’ storied career in competitive arm-wrestling began in 1998 at age 24, when fellow arm-wrestling champion Sheldon Leitch invited him to a similar try-it event. Here he discovered a hidden passion for the sport and love of competing, complemented by innate raw talent and large hands.

Andrews went on to travel the world to compete at the highest level in the following years. Most notable of these achievements were during the arm-wrestling federation world championships in the 60 kg left-handed category, where he won fifth place in Poland in 2001 and first place in the U.S. in 2002.

Taking home the gold was not all Andrews took home from world championships in 2002— he also placed second in the 60 kg right-handed category.

Andrews did have a hiatus from the sport for 15 years as he settled into farm life and had two children— who both share their dad’s natural talent.

As of two years ago, he is back in the game, combining values of family and fitness. “My kids actually have competed all over Alberta with me. My 11-year-old girl last year entered the boys category and beat everybody in [the province].”

“It literally is like riding a bike. The only difference is your body aches and pains a little bit more than you did when you were young obviously.”

“Since I've been back at it, the one thing I realized is that this arm wrestling, in general,, has been so good for my health,” he said, emphasizing that is true mentally and physically. “I've rekindled some relationships that I had 15 to 20 years ago, including the guys that mentored me back in the day.”

The competitive camaradeie found in the sport is unique said Andrew. Those that compete at a professional level are very intense when at the table, to the point of fierce anger. Yet the second the match ends, this anger dissipates, replaced with respect and mutual admiration. This is when life-long friendships are made, such as that of fellow professional arm-wrestler and world medallist, Brian Manson. Manson ended up being the best man at Andrew’s wedding years later— a testament to the unifying ability found in the sport.

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