LEAH NASH PHOTOGRAPHY

STORIES | ESSAYS: Pulling | The Art of Arm Wrestling

For people who arm wrestle there is nothing better in the world. An aficionado of the sport told me that I should title this photo essay IDIOTS, "I mean where else would you find a bunch of people who would go all over the country to pull at each others arms until we can't move, and then get up and do it some more? And we pay our own good money for it." But they love it; the adrenaline, the feeling of winning, that moment of aggression. Maybe even more than that is the people, the community that is built into the arm wrestling circuit. In some ways it is like an extended family, one where almost everyone is accepted and anyone can join. The winners often receive trophies, medals, or small cash prizes, but most arm wrestlers spend far more than they ever make on the sport. Yet it is popular all over the world and two international tournaments are held each year with more than 15 countries competing.

Though strength is the most important thing in arm wrestling there is also a lot of technique involved. Different moves include posting, hooking, flashing and a variety of others.
   
As each arm wrestling division is divided by weight, all pullers must weigh-in during registration. This becomes a major concern before tournaments because weight determines your opponents and arm wrestlers will go to great lengths to drop a few pounds. Many will not eat or drink for several days before competitions and for more immediate results a sure fire method involves turning your hotel bathroom into a sauna.
   
Arm wrestling is in many ways a family activity and children abound at every competition. Allison Hutchings gets some advice from her husband Todd. Their two boys, Gabriel and Isaiah, look on.
     
  
If your hands break apart, or 'slip', when pulling the referees will put you in a strap. Most arm wrestlers hate it as it digs into the hand and wrist and will often cut the skin. Arm wrestling can be an unforgiving sport, and broken fingers and torn ligaments are common. "The simple fact is that arm wrestling is a pretty painful experience. You'll be lucky to be able to scratch your own ass as long as you do it," says John Wilson.
   
In Montpelier, Ohio the Second Annual 'Harley Pull' takes place. The winner of the two-day event takes home a special series Harley Davidson, which stands prominently in the middle of the room. Most tournaments only have small cash prizes so the bike was a big incentive and draws large crowds and stiff competition. Arm wrestlers expecting to sweep the event were happy to place at all, "You're a bad M---er F---er if you placed in the top three," said Mike McGraw, a former national champion who did not place in his weight class.
   
RJ Molinere gets himself psyched up for a match. RJ started arm wrestling in 1978 and says that, "It's a lot of speed, technique, and brain. So if you're slow upstairs you're in trouble. It's a technique game I think. Because little-bitty guys can beat big guys."
     
  
Referee Mary McConnaughey was the 2000 Arm Wrestling Association of America female arm wrestler of the year, runs the Heartland of America Arm wrestling web site, referees for competitions, and has a PH.D in microbiology.
   
John Wilson who loves to instruct people in the sport and started the St. Louis chapter cheers on his friends while Jeremy Plastor rests between matches.
   
After 'slipping' in competition, Dave Patton gets ready to be put in the strap. Hand size and muscle is important to win matches but tendon strength is key. The more you wrestle, the thicker your tendons get, which is why older competitors are often the best.
     
  
After pulling for approximately six hours straight, Olan Lukas is exhausted, "After a tournament, it's like a woman after she's had a baby. She's all crying and depressed. What a let down."