Best Armwrestlers You Rarely Hear About...

[Garrett Stepsis]

jeramietowle said:

yeah thats real funny garrett

Thanks; no disrespect was intended to either you or Kurt. The comments merely reminded me of a commercial I saw so I tracked down that video on the Internet.

As far as best arm wrestlers you hardly hear about (anymore anyways), one name comes to mind of a great puller I trained with a few times back when I was 18: Joe Carabetta of Meriden, CT.

Back then, I was in the sport only two years and already won the Northeast Championships in the 221-class and had some good matches with guys who like placed 4th at Nationals/6th at Worlds. Joe, who was 42 back then, was far and away the strongest arm and hand I have ever locked up against (in relation to my own strength) – ever! I could not budge his arm, not one centimeter!

Joe had not competed in years, developed this superhuman strength, and would just go to practice and toy with everyone. It was a shame. I think Joe would have crushed everyone at Nationals and Worlds back in the early 1990's. I think he was far, far stronger than than when he won Worlds in 1978-1979.

The late Ed Jubinville (big promoter in the Northeast for a generation) wanted to arrange a Joe Carabetta-John Brzenk challenge (back when John was at his peak) for $1500. From what I heard, John had nothing to gain to flying out to CT so John did not accept the challenge (if anyone wants to correct me on the specifics of this, please feel free).

[John Shaw]

Just thought of a few for the list-- Bob Shaffer and
Mitch Cady

[Jeremy Plaster]

Bob Shaffer is a very good pick. That guy can pull! Could put Gene Dunn on that list as well. When he wants to, man can he be a handfull.

[Scott Latella]

James his name is Jeremy Durfee.. Wow nice call . This kid came out of nowhere and just crushed many very good guys with NOOOOOOO training. Beat the likes of Steve Black, Socrates, Josh Stark, Big Johnny. His gas tanks was med but if you pulled him early look out. Then he just vanished..

[Josh Shotgun Stark]

;D

[jamesretarides]

I would also like to see Shaun Freeman pull against some of the best 242s in the country Shaun stays local (NY) but would be competitive against the best of the best in the US in that class (spare maybe Paul Walther).

[Ryan Espey]

Stan Relland

[Jeremy Plaster]

Britton Mathews- Harold Ryden.. Another puller that I havent heard about in awhile from that state tha thas the poor misfortune of having to cheer for the Vikings is Mark Zirtman(sp?) he was a great puller then kinda fell off the map. I was always having to pull him or Harold coming up through the novices way back when Also add Sonny Larson to this list maybe. And Kevin Harris Said a great puller.. I wouldnt add because I think he is known for being a baddass But he is right nonetheless, Roger Nowitski(sp?) is a bad bad man.

[Charlie Minell]

Jonas Sundling from Sweden will soon be in the absolute top. He started pulling in 1999 and took second place at the Worlds 2001. He beat Pisarkov and Gruchnikov in that tournament.
He has also beaten Andreas Rundstrom, Ralf Johansson and Krister Jonsson here in Sweden. And yes... the ******* beat me too! : )

[Christ Russakis]

what ever happened to britton mathews? have not heard or seen him in awhile

[Jeremy Plaster]

He decided to focus more on his career and new wife. He will be back sometime though, I am sure

[Andrew Fournier]

Chad Efird.

I've personally only seen him come to practice once. He's on when he decides to armwrestle tho. Beat Michael Selearis at the Get a Grip 2004 with either left or right. can't remember. I know he's placed top 3 in the nationals before. He is one of the gentically gifted.