The Greatest Armwrestlers in History

[Keith Potts]

Many guys are so close in strength and ability that it is only fitting to make the list a little longer than what the title of "Greatest Armwrestlers in History" indicates. If he's not on the list, my vote goes to Ron Klemba. His long list of credentials speak for itself.

[Kevin Harris]

Personally I think that list is way to big. I guess what I am saying is. There is a difference between great armwrestlers and great armwrestlers in history. A lot of these guys are the best in the world now. But haven't been around long enough or on top long enough to be considered great armwrestlers in history. I would break it down to The greatest armwrestlers in history and the greatest active armwrestlers just a thought

[tomaszwisniowski]

Guys One more information

I want to create two list:

50 The Greatest Armwrestlers in History

- I need pics and record (how meny titels -nasional, continental and words) of every one

Great Armwrestlers in History

- I need a record (as above)

I have List of 50 The Greatest Armwrestlers in History made by Engin Terzi but I mixed it SPECIFICALLY, to did not suggest opinion anybody.

I need Your HELP and this is a reason i did it.

[Ed "Bam" Moehle]

John Burgenson Sr. usa

[Florian Kellersmann]

Woman:
Irina Makaeva
Heidi Anderson
Egle Vaitkule (spelling?)
Viktoria Gabakova

Men:
David Randall

[tomaszwisniowski]

The Greatest Armwrestlers in History

Men's list at the end will be divided into two:

50 The Greatest Armwrestlers in Histrory

Great Armwrestlers in History



THE LIST:
MEN

Engin Terzi, TUR
Dave Patton, USA
Jerry Janning, USA
Vephkia Samkaradze, GEO
Taimuras Tsakhilov, RUS
Roman Tsindiliani, RUS
Khadzimurat Zoloev, RUS
Rustam Babayev, UKR
Taimuraz Tsakhilov, RUS
Cobra Rhodes, USA
Cvetan Gashevski, BUL
Bert Withfield, USA
Andreas Rundstrom, SWE
Zoloev Kazbek, RUS
Allen Fisher, USA
Arsen Liliev, RUS
John Brzenk, USA
Sharon Remez, ISR
Maxim Maksimov, RUS
Taras Ivakin, UKR
Genaddy Fadzinov, RUS
Jan Germanus, SVK
Johnny Walker, USA
Bill Brzenk, USA
John Buononato, USA
Kevin Bongard, USA
Ruslan Babayev, UKR
Ron Bath, USA
Sylvain Perron, CAN
Yoshinobu Kanai, JAP
David Tchelidze, GEO
Rasul Tcohaev, RUS
Marcio Barboza, BRA
Denis Cyplenkov, RUS
Andrey Antonov, RUS
Crazzy George, CAN
Mike Gould, CAN
Tim Bresnan, USA
Clay Rosencrans
Janis Amolins, LAT
Michael Todd, USA
Don Undrewood, USA
Erekle Gurchiani, GEO
Ibragim Ibragimov, RUS
Virgil Arciero, USA
Jerry Cadorette, USA
Al Turner, USA
Cleve Dean, USA
Alexey Voevoda, RUS
Travis Bagent, USA
Gary Goodridge, CAN
Alan Karaev, RUS
Vakhtang Javakadze, GEO
Richard Lupkes, USA
Zaur Tskadadze, GEO
David Randall, USA
Stojan Golemanov, BUL
Andrey Pushkar, UKR
Ferit Osmanli, TUR
Devon Larratt, CAN
Jaba GETIASHVILI, GEO
Lubomir Jaggnesak, SVK
Ion Oncescu, ROM
Olexy Semerenko, UKR
Gela Kubiashvili, GOR
Aslan Kozaev
ARTEM Klimenko, RUS
Wagner Bortolato, BRA

Added Names

Shamil Karajaev - 4 times WAF champion
Bolataev Vladimir - multiple times World and European Champion
Gioev Mairbek - multiple times World and European Champion
Khuadonov Artur - multiple times World and European Champion
Khugaev Aslanbek - multiple times World and European Champion
Kokoev Ruslan - multiple times World and European Champion
Skodtaev Anatoly - multiple times World and European Champion
Tamaev Totraz - multiple times World and European Champion
Bill Collins, USA - 93 WWC worlds-open -95 Gold bear (moscow)-open, -96 NAWA worlds-open, -2002 WWC-worlds-master, -2005 WAF-worlds-masters, -2008-WAF worlds-masters
Duane "Tiny" Benedix 3 X super heavyeight Petaluma World Wristwrestling Champion
Jim Dolcini 4 X Petaluma World Wristwrestling Champion
Earl Wilson ,CAN - 21 X National Champion and has won 18 medals at the WAF Worlds (11 gold, 5 silver, 2 bronze).
Garrido Laso, ESP
Ivan Portela, ESP
John Burgenson Sr. USA
Neil Pickup, GBR
Steve Rogers, GBR

Women

Dot Jones
Barb Schlegel (Zalepa).
Margie Ciaccio. USA - 42 X National Champion
Irina Makaeva, RUS
Heidi Anderson, SWE
Egle Vaitkule (spelling?)
Viktoria Gabakova

[enginterzi]

Aug 18, 2010 9:45:42 GMT -5 Florian Kellersmann said:

In my opinion a list called "the greatest armwrestlers in history" should be much shorter and with higher standards.

i agree,this is the list of great armwrestlers.


greatest armwrestlers are the exceptions,for example;


John Brzenk

Roman Tsindilliani

Zoloev Hadzimurat

Alexy Voevoda

Cvetan Gashevski

Cobra Rhodes

Dave Patton

Ron Bath

Johnny Walker

Rustam Babayev

Jan Germanus

Gary Goodridge

Jerry Janings

Cleve Dean

Travis Bagent (right is great - left is greatest)

and a few more athletes who have dominated their categories for some years.

[enginterzi]

for women in order;

Irina Makeeva

Viktoria Gabakova

Dot Jones

Heidi Anderson

Egle Vaitkule

are the greatests who have dominated the WORLD for so many years.then starts the list of greats.

[Eric Roussin]

I don’t think it’s surprising that the list is so long. What do we mean by “greatest armwrestlers in history”? Can we assume that anyone who has managed to attain the status of being recognized as the very best in the world be considered a “greatest armwrestler in history”? For example, the following individuals were recognized as the single best right handed armwrestlers on the planet in the open super-heavy class at some point in time:

Ian “Mac” Batchelor
Duane “Tiny” Benedix
Maurice “Moe” Baker
Jim Dolcini
Virgil Arciero
Cleve Dean
John Brzenk
Gary Goodridge
Alexey Voevoda
Devon Larratt
Alan Karaev
Richard Lupkes
Scott Norton
Ferit Osmanli

Some of the listed names can be debated – if they were not universally recognized as the best, then they were recognized by some. It’s important to note that for the most part, armwrestling outside of North America didn’t really start to become popular until the ‘90s. So those who were recognized as the best prior to the ‘80s may have only competed in a few events (i.e. Petaluma). However, should these pullers be penalized? Back then, this was the biggest tournament around, and the winners were recognized as the best.

If becoming the very best isn’t the right criteria, perhaps longevity at the top should be considered. Using the same list as above, here are the approximate lengths of time when the pullers would have been considered the best:

10+ years

Ian “Mac” Batchelor (although competed only in challenge matches)
John Brzenk

5-9 years

Cleve Dean

3-4 years

Duane “Tiny” Benedix
Maurice “Moe” Baker
Jim Dolcini

~2 years

Gary Goodridge
Virgil Arciero
Devon Larratt

~1 year or less

Alexey Voevoda
Richard Lupkes
Alan Karaev
Scott Norton
Ferit Osmanli

If we use a criteria where someone needed to be at the top at least 3 years, then the list is significantly shortened:

Ian “Mac” Batchelor
John Brzenk
Cleve Dean
Duane “Tiny” Benedix
Maurice “Moe” Baker
Jim Dolcini

However, does this list seem right/complete?

The same process could be done with other weight classes, but it because complicated with all of the different categories. Perhaps if three general classes are considered: light (0 to ~165 lbs), middle (166 to ~200 lbs), and heavy (201+ lbs), but it wouldn’t be perfect. Slotting the various pullers into one of these three classes would still yield close to 50 pullers who may have been considered the best at their weight at some point in time.

I don’t know what the best solution is. I primarily just wanted to say that it’s not surprising that the list is so long.

For other possible names to include, you can check out Merle Meeter’s list:

www.usarmwrestling.com/Merle%20Meeter.htm

[tomaszwisniowski]

I do agree with You Engin. Yes (in History) makes a big difference - Sorry


I want to create this two lists and You will be one of first who I ask about opinion before I will put the lists on my blog.

I need iformations and pics of some great names from the list.

I hope that you will forgive me my mistake

[Eric Roussin]

I think it's difficult to argue that Dot Jones is NOT the best female armwrestler of all time. At 6'4" and close to 260 lbs, she dominated everyone she faced for over 10 years in a row. She once said her record was approximately 800 wins and 1 loss (at the Over the Top Finals to Liane Dufresne -- but supposedly after coming out of a much tougher bracket). Although it's true that she didn't compete against many women outside of North America, it's hard to say that she wouldn't have dominated against anyone else in the world. Perhaps if Irina stays on top for another 5 years it will be closer, but for now I think Dot should have the top spot.

[Casey Szparaga]

Bobby Hopkins should be on there somewhere. 11 world titles.

[Casey Szparaga]

Ray Taglione

[enginterzi]

i think anyone who has proved to be the best in the World can be in that long list.however "greatests" are the greater of the great ones.otherwise you need to list everyone who has won a World title (not back yard ones neither master,junior,disabled ones) and we need to bring probably 50 more names.


our Sultan Abdulmecid (Ottoman Empire) had an armwrestling table and beat everyone in the Empire.we can not penalise him and he should be added at the top of this list as he has not lost to anyone in his entire life.

for sure the best in the World is something that is proven against the World.still not everyone on that list has proved to be the best in the world. i can not be convinced to put everyone who has a single world title as a "GREATEST" armwrestler league with John.


IMO there is a league of John who is all alone.

then you list greatests armwrestlers as legends.

then you list great armwrestlers.i do not wanna offend anyone on this board and that is why i will choose someone from Russia,Andrey Antonov.when you list him as one of the greatest ever next to Babaev,Dave Patton,John Brzenk and Jan Germanus then the list looks so none serious.

Andrey Antonov is a good armwrestler but not great for sure.even Arsen Liliev is still in the GREATS lists but very near to be considered as GREATEST,and may reach to John's league if he continues this way for 15 more years.


Rustam is the one who is not so far from John's league right now.then Roman and Arsen walking on their ways to John's league.

[enginterzi]

i would consider Bob Hopkins and Ray Taglione in the great armwrestlers list.same as Dave Randall.