Novice Class at AAA Nationals

[Mike Dardenne]

Greetings all,

for those who don't know yet, the AAA is offering a novice class at the 2005 Nationals in SC.

Great news for us non-pros!!


70kg, 78kg, 86kg, 95kg, 95+kg Left Hand
70kg, 78kg, 86kg, 95kg, 95+kg Right Hand

[James]

I think it is a good idea. The amount of entrants will far surpass anything in the past most likely. A lot of the novice pullers will likely come from that region and there are a lot good pullers down there.

When speaking of entrants, I say most likely, b/c there is still the uncertainty as to how the U.S. team going to Japan next year will be formed.

Buckle up, should be an interesting ride

[guy]

That's good to hear. I may go next year

[Steven Lareau]

What would classify someone as a novice? Or rather, what would disqualify someone from pulling it?

[Mike Dardenne]

What would disqualify someone is three first place novice finishes. After that, you are considered a pro in the AAA.

Not sure about USAA or other organizations' definition of PRO.

[Todd Coe]

I agree, this is a great thing it can only help the sport. I was already planning on attending. But I will be there for sure and it will be a large showing if I know most of the pullers from this area. again thanks Frank and Karen for giving this a chance to work

[Bill Cox]

Right now in the IAF after you win a sanctioned event you are classified as Open or Pro.

[leonard]

Since you asked, here goes.
In the USAA/USWA and the WWC you are a Novice until you win a tournament. Provided that there were at least 4 competitors in the class.
Once you have won that tournament with at least 4 in the division, you are no longer a Novice in that division.
That does not mean that you aren’t a novice in the next division up.
For example you win the 155-176 division then you are an amateur in the 155-176 and a Novice in the 177-198.
Your choice to go amateur or pull the heavier 177-198.
As for Pro divisions, you are considered a pro once you have won pro events or are widely considered a pro.
This is a judgment that is made by us. Just because you win 100.00 in some local event with no top caliber armwrestlers there, does not make you a pro. Now if you are pulling and beating recognized pros then yes you are a professional armwrestler.
We have had Professional, Amatuer,Masters and Novice at our Nationals in Lake Tahoe for 10 years so this is nothing new for us. ;D

[Steven Lareau]

I think I got it now, thanx! ;D

[Michael Griffin]

"Big" Mike,
You can do it! I know you can.

[Frank Bean]

Steven,

AAA's ruling regarding Novice isn't the same as others. Our ruling is this:
Once you have won 3 AAA sanctioned events you are no longer considered a Novice. You cannot win 3 events in one weight class and then move up a weight class and be considered a Novice all over again. Novice by its own definition is a beginner.
We also have a clause in our rules that states a tournament director may use his/her own discretion to determine Novice eligibility. This is for the competitors who may not be winning at 3 events but are experienced enough to not be classified as a beginner.
If you have any questions, let me know.

[Mike Dardenne]

Thanks for the vote of confidence "animal" Hopefully we will meet again there. I just hope I can get over my tendon inflamations. I can barely pull right now, I need to seriously rest my arms. I just don't rebound very quickly from tournaments or heavy practices.

peace,
m.a.d.

[Steven Lareau]

Thank you Mr. Bean. I think the only confussion that I would have over this would be remembering which rules go with which tournaments! ;D Either way its a great sport with a lot of helpful people. Thanx for your input to clear the confusion gentlemen.