Arm Wrestling Championship in Marsalforn, Gozo: A Resurgent Tradition

Marsalforn, Gozo, hosted an exhilarating arm wrestling event on 25th August 2024, marking a
significant milestone in the revival of the sport within the Maltese islands. This competition,
which featured participants across various weight categories, is part of a growing movement to
rejuvenate arm wrestling in Gozo and Malta.

A Brief History of Arm Wrestling

Arm wrestling is a sport with ancient roots, dating back to the early civilizations. Evidence
suggests that forms of arm wrestling were practised in ancient Egypt, with depictions of the
sport found on tomb walls dating back over 3,000 years. The modern version of the sport began
to take shape in the United States in the 20th century, popularised by competitions in local bars
and eventually formalised with rules and structured tournaments. The first organised arm
wrestling championship, the World Wristwrestling Championship, took place in 1962 in
Petaluma, California, and it helped to establish the sport internationally. Today, arm wrestling
enjoys a global following, with dedicated athletes competing in national and international events.

Reviving the Sport in Gozo

The arm wrestling scene in Malta and Gozo dates back to the 1990s, though the sport
experienced a decline after the local association ceased organising events. David Apap, a
native of Gozo, took the initiative to breathe new life into the sport 12 years ago by organising
competitions and promoting them via social media. His efforts have borne fruit, with the sport
now gaining traction, particularly in gyms such as Challenger in Qormi Malta and Kinetic on
Gozo.

Apap reminisced about his early interest in arm wrestling, recalling "fond memories" of engaging
in the sport at school with friends. His passion was further ignited after witnessing a tug-of-war
event in Għarb, which led him to believe that arm wrestling could also attract a strong following
in Malta. Inspired by this thought, he founded Arm Wrestling Malta after the National Arm
Wrestling Association ceased organising competitions. "I've always been passionate about
sports and wanted to introduce something new to Malta," Apap shared. "Our first competition
was a hit, and people have been asking for more ever since."

The Competition

The Marsalforn event featured three primary categories based on weight: under 75 kilos, under
90 kilos, and over 90 kilos. Additionally, there were specific categories for women and
left-handed participants, ensuring inclusivity and wider participation. An open category was also
available, which was not based on gender or weight class but rather on the participants'
dominant hand, providing a unique challenge for all competitors.

Competitors battled it out in right-arm matches, which are traditionally more popular than
left-arm contests. The winners of each category advanced to an overall competition, where they
competed for a grand prize of €200, with individual category winners receiving €100. In addition
to the cash prizes, winners in each category were also awarded trophies, making the
competition not only a test of strength but also an opportunity for recognition within the arm
wrestling community.

Event Highlights

In the under 75 kilos category, Firuz emerged as the champion. Despite weighing only 73 kilos,
Firuz has proven himself to be a formidable competitor. Firuz initially made his mark in Mixed
Martial Arts (MMA), a full-contact combat sport that allows for a wide variety of fighting
techniques, including striking and grappling, both standing and on the ground. MMA is known
for its rigorous demands on physical fitness, mental toughness, and technical skill, making
Firuz’s transition to arm wrestling particularly impressive. His background in MMA, with its
emphasis on strength, agility, and strategy, likely contributed to his success in arm wrestling.

Another notable victory was claimed by Stefan Kole Kostic, a Serbian competitor, who won the
under 90 kilos category despite facing challenges in his training regime due to work
commitments.

The event also anticipated a highly awaited showdown between two top competitors, Kerstin
and Antoine Graham, both of whom are champions in their respective categories. Although they
competed in different weight divisions, their potential face-off in the overall category generated
considerable excitement among spectators.

Challenges and Future Prospects

While the men's competition saw intense participation, the event's organisers faced challenges
in attracting female competitors. The women’s competition did not achieve the same level of
success, highlighting an ongoing issue within the sport. Despite efforts to include women in arm
wrestling, there has been a noticeable lack of engagement from female athletes. This trend is
not unique to Malta; globally, arm wrestling has struggled to attract a significant number of
female participants, though interest is slowly growing as awareness of the sport increases.

David Apap and other organisers remain hopeful that future events will see greater participation
from women. They are committed to promoting the sport across all demographics and are
exploring ways to make the competitions more accessible and appealing to female athletes.

While some competitors train year-round, the competition is open to everyone, with no age
restrictions. Apap proudly mentioned that past participants ranged in age from their twenties to
those as old as 69, highlighting the inclusivity and broad appeal of the sport.

As arm wrestling continues to grow in popularity, particularly in Gozo, local enthusiasts like
David Apap are optimistic about its future. With more events planned and a steady increase in
participants, arm wrestling is on track to become a staple in Malta’s sporting calendar.

This event not only showcased the raw strength and competitive spirit of its participants but also
highlighted the dedication of those working behind the scenes to keep the tradition alive.
Marsalforn, with its enthusiastic audience and skilled competitors, proved to be the perfect
setting for this resurgence in Maltese arm wrestling.