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Post by Debbie Banaian on Jun 1, 2013 7:57:00 GMT -5
Wow, it is so disappointing when we bother to have a meet and we don't have women. I just feel like it sends such a bad message. I KNOW it's not always successful and that the # of women who compete in the US is low, but without it, we are just dooming the sport for men and women. At so many meets we've had new women try to compete, with encouragement. If we ever want the sport to become recognized as a "real sport" it's critical to develop a core of both sexes. Otherwise, we will continue to be what we are, thought of as we are... I'm not bitching, really, I just feel like every time we have a meet without both sexes represented we go back about 50 years. DRATS!
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Post by Debbie Banaian on Nov 3, 2012 21:17:18 GMT -5
I hate to speak out of turn so I'll hold back names but we may even have another familiar face in women's armwrestling who has started training again...
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Post by Debbie Banaian on Nov 3, 2012 21:14:17 GMT -5
I'm hoping to make it down with the rest of Team Maine. Pullin Novice. Heard it's a great tournament. Hey Justin, tell those ladies down your way to come on down. Kathy and I are both going, possibly Yvonne. We'd love to have some competition.
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Post by Debbie Banaian on Feb 17, 2012 18:06:39 GMT -5
Thanks Robin, Kelli, and Brandi. I'd love to think I was ready for Nationals but really I have far too much respect for those that have put their time in and won competitions to show up where I may or may not belong. I just want to see a few women show up to a tourney now and again.... Mark, I armwrestled a early 20's girl from Maine at my first competition this past November, and I came in second to her. At that point I had never layed my eyes on either an armwrestler or a table. I hope she is there tomorrow so I can gauge if I've grown and have the opportunity to beat her. She did say she has competed since high school and has never been beat. Now if I were she, I'd make the trip to a nationals.
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Post by Debbie Banaian on Feb 10, 2012 17:33:51 GMT -5
Where are the strong American women?? On Feb 18th I am heading to the Maine state championship tourney, regardless of the six hr rt because I love this sport and want women to have this opportunity, to compete. If the women out there won't sacrifice a few travel hours, I'm afraid the US world of women's armwrestling is going by the wayside. Ive been training hard and hope there are other strong women willing to come challenge me. All are welcome, no prior experience necessary, BUT if you know any of the Northeast legions (valerie, Priscilla, et al) pass my message on that I'm dying for a crack at em, no excuses necessary, come on by and give this arm a try!
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Post by Debbie Banaian on Jan 15, 2012 19:25:06 GMT -5
I think there is a lot of wisdom from the posts here. As for the comparison to gymnasts and the unnatural positions they hold is slightly different in that they work that flexibility for hours and hours. It is not a position that they are being jarred into, it is one there body is capable of going into because of a very long and slow process. Even when they are coming from a flip into a split or other seemingly difficult position, it is only seemingly and there is not tearing occurring because of the conditioning that took place prior. The positions our arms are being forced into at times are obviously not gently worked into, nor are our arms capable of going into those positions safely on their own. Although, I think it's a great point and one we should all consider as part of our training. I certainly think we too should be constitently working on the flexibility of our tendons and muscles. I am a giant advocate for stretching, wrists, shoulders, arms...
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Post by Debbie Banaian on Jan 8, 2012 23:38:03 GMT -5
Chris, thanks for the reply, Good to know! I'm sure it's a catch 22 from both sides, but I think what you just said about the numbers makes sense. I wonder if just keeping it that simple but still including it on the event banner makes sense just to continue promoting the sport to woman??? I'll be there with my training partners Yvonne and Jessica. Hopefully Maine and Vt women represent, along with any ct women.
Granite state can't be the only club with women....
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Post by Debbie Banaian on Jan 7, 2012 22:22:45 GMT -5
Travis,
Keeping in mind that I'm new to this I have to wonder why they wouldn't then put a women's class on the banner. Honestly, one entry will pay for the trophy so it's not as if they are going to lose money and certainly if it's a STATE competition then it seems it would make it a more legitimate State competition/qualifier. Oddly enough, they do have "kids" on the event banner....
In the word rankings, the US is lacking strong women and it's not because we aren't out here....
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Post by Debbie Banaian on Jan 7, 2012 21:53:50 GMT -5
Hey Travis, not sure if Yvonne, and I will get to pull as it doesn't look like they are going to have any women....
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Post by Debbie Banaian on Jan 7, 2012 21:49:32 GMT -5
Am I just missing it or is there not a womens division? I certainly hope there will be, as I know I was planning on attending as well, 2 other female team mates, (one is a teen, two of us are not) and we've been training hard!!
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Post by Debbie Banaian on Oct 1, 2011 9:25:34 GMT -5
Come on down, Ladies...
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Post by Debbie Banaian on Sept 17, 2011 22:35:35 GMT -5
The "Banaians" first arrived on Ellis Island in the early 1900's and shortly thereafter made Dover NH their home. The name is my married name and is of Armenian descent. I am only a pseudo-armenian....
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Post by Debbie Banaian on Sept 17, 2011 20:07:34 GMT -5
Thank you Bill! Thank you all for the warm welcome. Until today I've had no former experience with armwrestling, other than in my 8th grade classroom against my students. I have seen an arm wrestling table only one time before today. I have never known an arm wrestler nor have I ever had the good fortune YET to train with anyone who arm wrestled. In fact, to date I haven't ever trained to arm wrestle. None the less, today I finally competed in my first meet, saw my first meet, and finally pulled on a table, and IT was a blast. I didn't win but did come in second. I feel pretty good about that considering I believe I was the lightest competitor, and the winner is undefeated for her entire 4 - 6 year career . Most important, I learned a TON and cannot wait for my next opportunity to kick some butt!!! Vazgen, I've been fortunate enough to live in the beautiful state of NH my entire life. I'll be reading and watching the boards and hopefully absorbing some of the tricks of the trade. As for the other ladies out there/ Christina, I'm coming atcha and look forward to pulling with you.
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