Arm wrestling is the ‘new darts’ – with walk-on music, trash discuss and big crowds
The classic playground scrap now packs out arenas, with UK fans following the sport around the world, and clips rack up millions of views online
Joao Gomes (left) and Andre (right) of Wolverhampton Wanderers compete in an arm wrestling contest(Image: Wolves via Getty Images)
Arm wrestling is gripping the nation – and bosses reckon it could be the next darts. The classic playground scrap now packs out arenas, with UK fans following the sport around the world, and clips rack up millions of views online.
Promoter Robert Baxter said: “It just started exploding.” Around 4,000 supporters crammed into East vs West events in Germany – the burgeoning home of new-look arm wrestling – at the weekend to watch muscle men go hand-to-hand in a roaring showdown.
Canadian star Devon Larratt, 50, who used to arm wrestle his nan as a kid and is now one of the sport’s biggest names, whipped the crowd into a frenzy by beating his much younger rival Vitaly Laletin 4-1.
He reckons part of the appeal is how easy it is to get involved, with no fancy kit or facilities needed to give it a go. The giant said: “Some sports are just out of reach for most people – they require equipment, money, or facilities.
“Arm wrestling is the absolute bottom level in terms of entry. If you’ve got an arm, you can do it.”
Despite the simple set-up – just a table, elbow pads and two locked arms – it’s a brutal mix of strength, leverage and mind games. Athletes use their whole body to gain an edge.
Fans lap up the darts-style drama, with walk-on music, trash talk and big personalities turning bouts into full-blown spectacles.
Dean Morgan, 42, from the Isle of Man, and his son Harry, 10, watched Larratt’s bout in Germany, saying: “Live is different. We’re so close to the action.”
The “incredible” atmosphere makes Larratt give it his all. He said: “I don’t know if it changes my performance massively, but it makes the experience so much more meaningful.
“When you’re in a packed arena doing what you love, you’re definitely not giving anything less.”
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