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Post by Brandon Dye on Mar 9, 2007 3:32:07 GMT -5
Vern: - (but my return to the sport has been squashed ... with everything that has been done to my arm already ... I found out now that my Radius bone is deteriorating and need to be replaced ... and if this does not work the elbow will be fused. I will post more about it later .... because thats another story in its self.)
Vern if this is true that you wont be pulling anymore, this is very sad to here, you are one of the most amazing pullers and insperations to our sport, when i was 16 i saw a video of you demolishing people that seemed twice your size like little girls on the table, you are the reason i got into this sport and if infact we will not be able to meet on the table, i thank you for the simple fact of what you did for this sport and for bringing myself and many others into the world of armwrestling, and you will no doubt go down as one of the best lightweight pullers in the history of our amazing sport, you are an insperation to all and my prayers and best wishes from me and everyone in the armwrestling world hope the best for you!!!
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Post by Bob Brown on Mar 9, 2007 9:58:15 GMT -5
Well said Brandon, Vern is an amazing person.
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Post by enginterzi on Mar 9, 2007 10:00:06 GMT -5
agreed,amazing person&puller!!
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Post by Eric Noftsger on Mar 9, 2007 10:50:11 GMT -5
I completely agree, a true inspiration to the sport.
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Post by Mike West on Mar 9, 2007 11:01:57 GMT -5
Very well said Brandon, and very true
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Post by Kevin Harris on Mar 9, 2007 11:45:05 GMT -5
you the man Vern
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Post by Matl'e McDaniel on Mar 9, 2007 12:30:15 GMT -5
I have said it before and I will say it again; Vern is not only one of the best pullers ever to live, but also the most gracious and humble man the sport has ever wittnessed. I used to look at him as a handicaped puller who could beat us capable pullers, but then as the years went on and on I started to notice that he had something much, much more important in the sport; He has heart, perseverance and an dignity beyond any saint, let alone a group of armwrestlers. Never do you see Vern getting into bad positions on the table. Never do you see him walk away from a match with a sour expression or attitude. The only thing you see from Vern is a quiet, yet dominant disposition that leaves most of us in awe no matter how many times we wittness it. If Sir Vern Martel is never to put his arm on the table again, then trully armwrestling as a whole has lost. Here's to the man, the myth, the legend... Sir Vern Martel.
P.S. If anyone wonders why I call him Sir Vern; Well I think because of how much he has been through in his life and how much he has accomplished in the face of adversity that he should be Knighted. So even though he is not Knighted by the queen, in my mind he is.
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Post by JD Slough on Mar 9, 2007 13:55:10 GMT -5
My prayers and best wishes go out to a humble and well respected man
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Post by Vern Martel on Mar 17, 2007 15:21:00 GMT -5
 Thanks for your comments you guys ... they mean a lot! Sorry I missed this post and did not respond earlier ... outside of dealing with my right arm ... I still have 5 children to raise. Besides my love for the sport ... my greater love is for my family .... they have been my inspiration to achieve all I can. You see... I was a mess after my motorcycle accident that left me in a wheelchair for six months and had to learn how to walk all over again. Then there was the plastic surgery to my face ... where my jaw, cheekbone and nose was rebuilt with molded plastic pieces. Then of coarse dealing with my left arm being paralyzed for life. I was lost at that point in my life and calling out for someone to just try and love the inner me .... that was when I met my wife .... who showed me that I was still needed by someone. Our love created 5 beautiful children who have brought much priceless love into my life. During this time I tried returning to the sport I loved before my accident ... the last time I had pulled was after winning the 143 pound WAF Worlds in 1983 in Costa Rica ( That year USA did not attend ). I met with some huge hurtles of adjusting to the table without being able to hang on to the peg. I took a ton of losses and my body suffered a lot of pain which was making me rethink about continuing in the sport. It was the competitors and the people watching who give me appreciation for trying so hard that made me stick with it. Eventually I became a greater force or a more worthy opponent at the table ... to which I was able to compete with some of the best in the world over the years .... and to do this with the use of only one arm ... many people have said they were amazed to see this .... well .... I felt the same ... and I have been very blessed with being able to compete for as long as I did at that level. Many times people had said I was crazy to be in a sport where I had to use my only good arm and put it on the line. Well ... now I deal with the consequences of that choice ... and you know what ... if I had to do it all over again ... I would not change a thing. I have so many memories and experiences from it all ... that I would have never had to share with my kids or future grandchildren. I will make the best of what I have and meet future challenges .... because of the desire of living my life to the fullest .... and this is only because of the great love .... that my family and friends ( Like all you ) have shown me. I have never known a greater bunch of people like the ones I met in this sport. I thank you all for the memories and being part of my family of friends. I hope I brought something to the sport that would compare to what the sport brought me. I look forward to watching the sport grow and seeing the new and up coming pullers who will keep this sport alive. My heart goes out as well to the legends in this sport who are still around and continue to amaze us all .... and in one way another inspire us all to keep the spirit alive. If you get a chance visit my home page and check out some of my pictures from past events. vernmartel.spaces.live.com Thanks again to all of you .... "The One Armed Bandit" ( Enjoyed the nick name!) Vern Martel |
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Post by simon on Mar 17, 2007 16:42:27 GMT -5
Once you contemplate all of this it really makes all of the other nonsense that flies around this board seem pointless, the love for this sport and what it gives each of us is the greatest reward it has to offer, everyone should enjoy it while they can.
Vern it is my privilege to call you a friend you are not only a legendary armwrestler and world class competitor but you are easily one of the greatest and most inspiring human beings I have ever met in my life. Thank you for all that you have taught me on and off the table.
Forever in your debt...
Simon Berriochoa
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Post by Malin Kleinsmith on Mar 17, 2007 17:17:11 GMT -5
Vern!
I am sorry to hear that you probably can´t compete anymore! But you are so much more than an ARMWRESTLER. You will always inspire people (armwrestlers and others) around you! You are a great person.
You are in my thoughts!!!
Your friend / Malin
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Post by Pascal Girard on Mar 18, 2007 8:47:49 GMT -5
Vern.... I didnt get the opportunity to know you better, but your words hit the most inside of me...I wish you and your familly all the best for ur upcoming days...
Thank you
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