Best weight classes.? Triple AAA or USA/WAF.

[Rick Laton]

Sol,

Either of the weights work for me. One thing that I don't think that too many promotors realize is how much the small guys give up when you do a 165 and under class. The heavyweight classes have been disputed because of the large difference in actual weight. However, when a 138 lb. person such as myself tries to compete at 165 lbs. there is absolutely NO WAY to have any chance. Of course there are exceptions to every rule but on average, if you take the top 5 winners from the 132 and 138 Nationals classes, I will guarantee you that none of the 10 guys could even place top 3 at any tournament such as VEGAS. If you take the % of body weight that is given up, it will be impossible to make up. I personally will go to any tounament that is 154 and under (When healthy and able to pull) even though I stand little chance of actually winning but I will not even attempt to pull 165. 143 makes for an awesome tournament and gives a lot of guys a chance that they could win. For example, as good as Rick Soliwada or Devin Baer are, do they really have a chance against Engin Terzi, Cobra Rhodes, Dave Patten, or Chad Silvers @ 165? No they do not and they have to really struggle to get to 143. I would guess that their actual normal body weight would be around 154 so they are actually only giving up 11 pounds or so from their "NORM". My point is, it doesn't cost the promoter any more to make a class 138 or 143 for some big money every now and then. You don't have to add another class, just change the classes around every few times to accomodate all the different weights. Don't necessarily just AUTOMATICALLY put it at 165 or 171 every time. Make some of the 165 and 171 pound guys give up 15 or 20 twenty pounds some times too. You will see some exciting matchup by doing this too. Just my 2 cents worth.

[Tony Carpenter]

I agree with Rick. My weight is typically between 110 and 115. It stinks to pull the 154/165 or even 176 class.

[Sol "Arm and Hammer"Ingram]

Bill collins
I do like bills classes too, very much like Usaa, with the exception of adding a 220? Like you said, it does create more expenses, but i will probaly do a 220 class,( Like 199-220) then what, 221-242 then over 242? I think the lighter class would also be great, but if you really have guys to fill them...0-140 then 141-154 maybe. That is really only adding TWO more classes and seems to even it out more...Elaine..Just a Girl? Ya right.. World champion!!

[Frank Bean]

Elaine said:

Steven, the classes that the USA uses now are the ones that the AAA did use until I think 2000. At that time, the WAF wanted to reduce the number of classes and those are what they came up with, so the AAA adopted them...

politics?.................... um...................probably

You're just a little off there Elaine Our weight classes didn't change until 2003 and did so once WAF changed theirs. As a member of WAF it would be a little ridiculous to offer for example 65kg (143) at Nationals and it's not offered at World or 80kg (176) and then those competitors qualifying would have to lose weight to 78kg (171).

Politics? Probably? What politics? More like common sense!

And as far as comparing the differences, Sol, use what Denise has posted to compare:

Men's Divisions
AAA: 0-154, 155-171, 172-189, 190-209, 210-231, 232+

USAA: 0-154, 155-176, 177-198, 199-242, 243+

154 - same, AAA 171 vs USAA 176 - 5 pounds difference, AAA 189 vs USAA nothing offered, AAA 209 vs USAA 198 - 11 pounds difference, AAA 231 vs USA 242 - 11 pounds difference, AAA 231+ vs USAA 243+ - 12 pounds difference

AAA does not drop one pound inbetween each class. You must weight 154.0 or technically since we use kilos 70.0 kg. The next class does not start at 155 pounds. It starts at 70.1 kg.

AAA weight classes were used last year at the Chehalis and you say there were 102 entries. Talk to Jacob & Deanna since they run tournaments all the time using the AAA weights to see what is normal turnout for them. Since the "regular" contest you're looking at holding will probably draw the majority of its entries from the competitors that frequent Jacob & Deanna's events, changing weights may not be a good idea. Not a criticism just a thought since your area has had 2 years to get used to the "new" AAA weights.

[Sol "Arm and Hammer"Ingram]

Thanks Frank
Yes last year was AAA classes and may be once again, but having input from everyone helps me make the best decision. I would for sure ADD a lighter class then the 154 if we go with same. (O-140 or 0-143? ) Yes because of Jacob and Deanna doing a great job promoting our sport within the surrounding areas, we have been used to AAA classes, but with pullers coming from around the Country, It is a good idea to see what we all feel. Probaly the only thing with the usaa class that i would adjust is the lighter class and then dont jump from the 199-242 but even with changes we can never be perfect.. Thanks

[CHRISTIAN BINNIE]

What weight classes are they having at the Unified Worlds in Japan?

[Frank Bean]

Sol,

How true! No matter what you offer, someone is not going to be happy. Happens every time

We always like to offer a lighter class for exactly the reason Rick has stated. 165 pounds just won't draw the 138 and under and most of the 143's won't go either. Not that I blame them any. Heck most of the 154's won't pull with the 165 pounders.

All anybody can do is offer what they can. The majority will thank you!

[CHRISTIAN BINNIE]

Does anyone know if Rick Soliwada has to drop weight to make 143? IMAGINE if didn't, and he stayed at his normal weight. He'd be MORE of a BEAST then he is now, just like Tullier!

[Jim Wagner]

Christian,
He does drop some weight to get there, but the kid is lean as can be. After training with him I still cannot believe his hand for that weight class

[Denise Wattles]

Hi Christian,
The weight divisions in Japan at the World Armwrestling Championship will be:
Men's Right and left Hand:
55kg, 60kg, 65kg, 70kg, 75kg, 80kg, 85kg, 90kg, 100kg, 110kg, 110+kg.
Denise

[Elaine Blik]

Just to let you know, when I was responding to "Steven's" post, ... there really was one there! It had disappeared-very strange.

He was just asking "why can't we decide on one division of weight classes and if it was politics" So, if anyone didn't see his post, that was what I was replying in reference to. It looked a little confusing.

Anyway... when I said I THOUGHT it was 2000 that the classes had changed, I wasn't sure, so thank you for correcting me, Frank/Karen. And I understand completely why it was done, to stay uniform with the weight divisions offered at the world event. Common sense, yes.

Just wanted to clarify this...

And Rick, you make a very valid point! There are so many great armwrestlers in the lighter weight divisions, and to give up 15 or 20 lbs. to the likes of Cobra? Engin? etc? That would be very discouraging for sure!

[Kevin Schneider]

Not really fair to comment on the lighter classes , I've always pulled Super Heavy. In my opinion the AAA with the 232+ and the USA with 242+ are too light to be considered Super Heavys. I know of alot of pullers that are natural at 235 - 250 but lose the extra weight just so they don't have to pull Supers. I think it was Guy that posted about having a 255/265 or higher class. Looking at the Supers classes the last few years at the Nationals , a heavier class between 220's and Supers would be filled. Most of the Supers weigh 275 and up. Just my 2 cents.

[simon]

I am not saying that you should make classes necessarily to accommodate certain people per say but certainly depending on your budget, and with some idea of what kind of crowd you have drawn in the past or could draw given how much interest your event could garner and what size pullers may show you should consider expanding or contracting your range,

I feel for Tony Carpenter but you would have a hard time rounding out a 120 something class at a regional event. If your event was say in the south I would argue that you need a 132 class, because you will be able to fill it. Regardless of what you use a puller will find themselves a spot, but too few or too heavy of classes will eliminate some of the C or B level pullers, which seem to far outweigh the A’s.

For an event with a good expected draw every 10 kilos from a viable starting point I think really works 7 for men 5 for women, in general you have far more women on the lighter end and far less on the heavier end with the men you have far more on the heavier end and far less on the lighter end.

Mens
60 70 80 90 100 110 110+
132 154 176 198 220 242 242+

Ladies
60 70 80 90 90+
132 154 176 198 198+

For super matches though it is not in my best interest I like the 165, 198, 231, 231+

[Bad Draw Rhodes]

Denise said:

Hi Christian,
The weight divisions in Japan at the World Armwrestling Championship will be:
Men's Right and left Hand:
55kg, 60kg, 65kg, 70kg, 75kg, 80kg, 85kg, 90kg, 100kg, 110kg, 110+kg.
Denise

Is these the final classes for sure. I am needy for which classes will be offered at Worlds in Japan; and the qualifiers for it.

[Denise Wattles]

Hi Cobra,
By the way, GREAT JOB in Indiana! Those are the weight divisions and you can qualify for the tournament in Little Rock at the USA Unified Nationals in August 2005.
Denise