Arm-wrestling not just about strength, but technique

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ARM-WRESTLING is a not only about strength but also about the correct techniques.

Selangor Armsport Association training and development officer Shahril Azmir, 30, said that success in the sport depended on a combination of technique and strength.

All about technique: 2009 Selangor Arm Wrestling Competition participants Sharizad Masih (left) and Afrizal Yunus having a warm-up session before the match began. The one with the bigger muscle mass may not necessarily win as technique is important in the sport.

“Even when we train, we do more resistance training rather than just concentrating on weight training,” said Shahril, who was part of the organising committee for the 2009 Selangor Arm Wrestling Competition at the Cova Square, Kota Damansara, Petaling Jaya, recently.

Shahril said the association was formed in 2007 and currently had about 60 members.

“We’re still trying to expand the sport, especially in the Klang Valley. We meet twice a month at the Tasik Shah Alam and we try to organise competitions at least once a month,” he said.

He said that arm-wrestling was a great way to relieve stress and being a social sport, most of the members have become like a family to him.

“I actually lost 20kg since I got involved in the sport. I did it through sheer determination because I wanted to compete in the lower weight category,” he said.

The Closed Pro Circuit Grand competition has been going on since March and the finals, jointly organised by Cova Square, saw four finalists in the three categories (above 85kg, 65kg to 85kg and below 65kg) battle it out for the title of Mr Selangor.

Watching the competition, it was evident that size did not really matter as some contestants with a bigger built struggled against those with leaner bodies.

Those who emerged champions in their respective categories were Hariz Joseph Abdullah, 37 (above 85kg), Muhammad Ridhwan Hussien, 20 (65kg - 85kg) and Mohd Fairuddin Md Suki, 23 (below 65kg).

Members of the public who were at Cova Square were also given a chance to participate in the Open Tournament, including an Open category for women.

Shahril said those interested to take up arm-wrestling are welcomed to join the association’s training at the Shah Alam Lake every first and third Saturday of the month, from 3pm to 7pm.