Arnold's

[Denise Wattles]

Well, the time is almost here.
The Arnold Classic Armwrestling Challenge is the most exciting venue I have ever seen! 100,000 people watching Armwrestling open the show both Friday and Saturday on the Main Stage!
In addition, Igor Mazurenko is recording the event for Arm Power and the competition is also being filmed by Sevan and Bessie! Muscle and Fitness will also be interviewing and photographing the winner of the Heavyweight division. Should be some great competition!!

The following people/businesses have made donations to the event:
Competitor Polo Shirts – Arm World Promotions
Custom Champion Jacket – Tony Nowak
Awards 1st to 4th place – Heavy Duty Awards
DVD players for 3rd place – USWA/USAA
Awards:
1st Place- Custom Champion Jacket (value $125)
$300 plus deluxe award
2nd Place - $200 plus deluxe award
3rd Place - DVD Player plus deluxe award
4th Place - deluxe award

All competitors will receive a custom certificate of participation.

Defending Champions:
Vern Martel
George Iszakouits
Mike Selearis
Marcio Barboza
Tamara Mitts

Men’s Right 0-154:
Scott Ballinger/ Simon Berriochoa/ Gene Dunn/ Flori Dutra Jr./ Fernando Ferriera/ RJ Molinere/ Bryon Thomas
Not able to attend:
Devin Bair – injured right hand
Alan Berget – coaching wrestling tournament
Vern Martel – recovering from illness

Men’s Right 155-176:
Bill Ballinger/ Chris Chandler/ Anthony Dall-Antonio/ Carlos Ferriera/ George Iszakouits/ Harold Ryden/ Chad Silvers/ James Smith/ Gord Squire
Not able to attend:
Allen Fisher- not enough prize $
Mike McGraw – Vegas tourney
John Parton – Father extremely ill
Bob Wardrip – recovering from surgery

Men’s Right 177-198:
Kenny Hughes/ Bryan Johnson/ Don McClary/ Mike Selearis/ Bill Sinks
Not able to attend:
Jacob Abbott – Not able to take time from work
Troy Eaton – Not enough prize $
Todd Hutchings – Not enough prize $
Pat Mastrangelo – not enough prize $
Herman McCoy – can’t get time off of work
Randy Weaver – Vegas tourney

Men’s Right 199+:
Marcio Barboza/ Harold Owens/ Shawn Turner/ Rick Barbee
Not able to attend:
Travis Bagent – Canada tournament
Ron Bath – Coaching son’s basketball game this weekend
John Brzenk – working in Atlanta
Mike Gould – not enough prize $
Tom Nelson – recovering from surgery
Clay Rosencranz – can’t get away from work
Eric Woelfel – Can get away from work

Ladies Right 0-143:
Elaine Blik/ Karen Cooley/ Karen Curavoo/ Jessalynn Gillett/ Jennifer Hoffert/ Tamara Mitts/ Wenda Orchard/
Tonya Wood
Unable to attend:
Judy Dodd – attending child’s tournament
Wendi Lynde – started new job
Gerri McGraw – can’t get time off work
I want to thank all those attending and I look forward to seeing you at weigh-ins on Thursday!
Denise

[Denise Wattles]

I'm so sorry, I forgot to mention that Steve Phipps can't attend because of his back. I hope everyone gets healed up soon, Denise

[Elaine Blik]

Denise,
I have to apologize for not getting back with you... your email ended up in my junk mail box...

I have made the decision not to attend, as Rainee is in the community musical "The Music Man" and I really need to be here for her. Opening night is Thursday and runs through Saturday. I just couldn't leave the hair and makeup to Joel...

It was an extremely tough decision, as I absolutely hate to miss this competition since I've never participated in it... but I believe that I've made the right decision. Hopefully next year the dates will be different or Rainee won't participate in the community musical.

Good luck to everyone going!

[Denise Wattles]

Thanks Elaine, kid's always come first.
I do want to thank the Armwrestlers for their comtributions, though it was their idea, for using their $50 refund for prize money instead of having it given back to them. The Arnold quit subsidizing the $15,000 in prize money in 2003. I personally borrowed $5000 toward the prize money last year. Leonard & I have spent a lot of time trying to get outside sponsors. It is very difficult to get large amounts of money for Armwrestling since the sport is not taken as seriously as weight-lifting etc.
I hope that Frank and Karen have better luck getting sponsorship for the SOS since GNC is not subsidizing the prize money starting this year. The Arnold and SOS are hugely prestigious events and hopefully, with all the TV exposure we are getting, it will be possible to attract the attention of interested sponsors for the future.

Good Luck to Everyone!
Denise

[Jim Bryan]

Denise,
After putting up the prize money for several years, do you know why Arnold decided to cut off the funding in 2003? Especially since the event has grown every year. Also, since a seperate organization runs the Show of Strength, what caused them to stop putting up the cash too? Any chance it the same thing that happened with the Arnold just repeating itself?
Any clarification would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Jim Bryan

[Denise Wattles]

Hi Jim,
I do know that the SOS has lost money the last three years plus it is better for business if all the sports are self-sufficient. I do not know for sure why the Arnold quit subsidizing. The have not given $15,000 since the USAA started running it in 2004.
As far as a correlation between the SOS and the Arnold I do not have a clue.
Thanks for asking, Denise

[josephsirois]

Denise, did you ever recieve my email?

[Valerie Beach]

Just wanted to say good luck to all that go ;D
love,
vee

[Steven Lareau]

Valerie said:

Just wanted to say good luck to all that go ;D
love,
vee

indeed good luck to all

[Ryan Espey]

Good luck to all.

Denise... does it look good for 2006? One of my goals is to make it back to this event next year.