Post by Kurt Howgate on Mar 13, 2005 8:35:26 GMT -5
Came upon this article on John Burgeson's latest event:
Found here: www.the-signal.com/News/ViewStory.asp?storyID=6695
Strong-Arming Funds for Charity
3/13/2005
Michael R. Farkash [Signal Staff Writer]
A man. An arm. A table. And plenty of “strong-arm” but friendly tactics. These are the things that define the sport of arm-wrestling.
The West Coast II Armwrestling Championships ran for more than four hours Saturday in the parking lot adjacent to Route 66 Classic Grill in Canyon Country, and there were plenty of straining muscles in both the amateur and pro divisions.
When it was over, there were plenty of trophies to go around. Equalizing the sport, there were lots of sore winners and sore losers, in terms of bruised muscles.
John Burgeson, one of the promoters of the event, also served as a referee as well as a competitor.
“We had a good turnout,” said Burgeson, who himself took a first-place trophy in the 50-and-older competition in his weight class. “Everyone’s glued to the event.”
And it was true that even after the trophies were given out, people were still waiting in line to compete on the stage.
Burgeson said the tournament, which offered trophies but no cash prizes, was basically a warm-up for the big Las Vegas competition — Ultimate Armwrestling II Championships at the Plaza Hotel and Casino, April 15-17. For more information on that event, visit www.armwrestling.com.
The Saturday event was a benefit for the Domestic Violence Center of Santa Clarita.
Don and Pattie McClary drove all the way from Moreno Valley to, respectively, participate and watch. It’s a chance for Don McClary to keep his hand — and his arm — in practice.
It was also a romantic reminiscence. The couple first met at an arm-wrestling event.
Don McClary has been competing for about 14 years, and recently took second place in the Arnold Classic in Ohio — an event sponsored by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.
“I used to arm wrestle, myself,” Pattie McClary said.
“But now I have kids,” she said with a smile.
Don McClary said he considered his performance at the Ohio tournament “a victory for me.” The Arnold Classic is an invitation-only contest, he said.
Contender Richard Smith took first place in both the left- and right-hand contests in the amateur division in his weight class.
“I feel pretty good,” said Smith, who lives in Highland. He plans to go pro next year.
Jeff Thomas of Canyon Country took a third-place trophy in his weight division, even though it was his first time competing. He said he signed up for the event on impulse.
For Joe Veres of Saugus, it also was a first time competing. He took a third place honor in left-handed wrestling.
“It’s fabulous,” he said. “I feel great.”
Found here: www.the-signal.com/News/ViewStory.asp?storyID=6695
Strong-Arming Funds for Charity
3/13/2005
Michael R. Farkash [Signal Staff Writer]
A man. An arm. A table. And plenty of “strong-arm” but friendly tactics. These are the things that define the sport of arm-wrestling.
The West Coast II Armwrestling Championships ran for more than four hours Saturday in the parking lot adjacent to Route 66 Classic Grill in Canyon Country, and there were plenty of straining muscles in both the amateur and pro divisions.
When it was over, there were plenty of trophies to go around. Equalizing the sport, there were lots of sore winners and sore losers, in terms of bruised muscles.
John Burgeson, one of the promoters of the event, also served as a referee as well as a competitor.
“We had a good turnout,” said Burgeson, who himself took a first-place trophy in the 50-and-older competition in his weight class. “Everyone’s glued to the event.”
And it was true that even after the trophies were given out, people were still waiting in line to compete on the stage.
Burgeson said the tournament, which offered trophies but no cash prizes, was basically a warm-up for the big Las Vegas competition — Ultimate Armwrestling II Championships at the Plaza Hotel and Casino, April 15-17. For more information on that event, visit www.armwrestling.com.
The Saturday event was a benefit for the Domestic Violence Center of Santa Clarita.
Don and Pattie McClary drove all the way from Moreno Valley to, respectively, participate and watch. It’s a chance for Don McClary to keep his hand — and his arm — in practice.
It was also a romantic reminiscence. The couple first met at an arm-wrestling event.
Don McClary has been competing for about 14 years, and recently took second place in the Arnold Classic in Ohio — an event sponsored by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.
“I used to arm wrestle, myself,” Pattie McClary said.
“But now I have kids,” she said with a smile.
Don McClary said he considered his performance at the Ohio tournament “a victory for me.” The Arnold Classic is an invitation-only contest, he said.
Contender Richard Smith took first place in both the left- and right-hand contests in the amateur division in his weight class.
“I feel pretty good,” said Smith, who lives in Highland. He plans to go pro next year.
Jeff Thomas of Canyon Country took a third-place trophy in his weight division, even though it was his first time competing. He said he signed up for the event on impulse.
For Joe Veres of Saugus, it also was a first time competing. He took a third place honor in left-handed wrestling.
“It’s fabulous,” he said. “I feel great.”
