Armed forces compete in arm-wrestling match

As a child, Gilles Michaud was probably just like any other kid his age – challenging friends and family to a good, old-fashioned arm-wrestling match.

What separated him from other kids, though, was his ability to beat most, if not all, would-be challengers — including his father.

After discovering his natural strength and ability, Michaud began arm wrestling competitively.

His love for arm wrestling also runs in the family, he said, after encouraging his two daughters to try their hands at the sport.

“You’re not out there to hurt someone or beat someone up. You’re always encouraging others and being supportive of each other,” Michaud, 39, said.

“Some people play golf and go fishing. I don’t have time for that, so I arm wrestle.”

His five-year-old daughter recently came in second place in the youth division at a competition held on May 10.

The arm-wrestling event, Samson’s Pull II, was held at Samson’s Sports and Fitness Centre at 325 Talbot Ave.

Michaud said about 20 arm wrestlers came out to compete that day, but he sat this one out and helped behind the scenes.

“I work with kids, work at the gym and love arm wrestling, so I just put all those together,” said Michaud, referring to the reason he helped organize the event.

Before a match begins, the two competitors place their elbows on a pad on the table and lock hands. Throughout the contest, their elbows have to maintain contact with the pad, Michaud said.

A referee declares the winner when they push the other person’s hand past a string that sits a few inches off the table.

“A match can last half a second or some can last a few minutes,” Michaud said.

Michaud, one of the directors of the Manitoba Arm Wrestling Association, helps put together various tournaments.

“It’s probably the oldest sport there is as a test of strength,” he said.

“It’s always been there, but it’s like an underground sport. Lots of guys do it in bars and at parties. But that’s where people usually get hurt.”

Michaud said when someone is arm wrestling, it’s important not to twist their body away from the table, which could result in breaking an arm.

Michaud should know. He said he broke his arm during a practice two years ago.

He still arm wrestles in tournaments, and he said he will probably compete at nationals in Moose Jaw, Sask. later this year.

Another arm-wrestling competition will be held on May 31 at Miss Q’s Billiards during Transcona’s annual Hi Neighbour Festival. For more information, call 995-1098.