Crouse, Laird win armwrestling challenges

By Sue Cole

Armwrestlers from across the Maritimes gathered at Calico’s Lounge in Truro February 24 for a series of challenge matches followed by a tournament.

The first challenge match of the day between Canadian and provincial champion Mark Crouse and four-time Canadian champion Rick Pinkney ended with Crouse defeating Pinkney six straight matches. Crouse completely overpowered Pinkney in this right-handed challenge starting in the hook position.

Gary Laird, Torbrook, the Valley’s other entrant in the day’s challenge matches, also won six straight matches against Truro’s Adam Sarson. Laird dominated every aspect of this left-hand match-up even when Sarson got him on the start.

Brooke Crouse, 14, Beaconsfield, had an excellent tournament. She competed in both the Ladies Right and Left Open divisions, defeating Kayla MacMaster of Truro in each of the finals. Brooke’s two first place finishes represents nearly half of the team’s total points for the day. This young lady is also a Canadian junior champion and will certainly be a force in Canadian women’s armwrestling.

Other tournament results include:

Tim Wrigley, Middleton and second in Left Elite II; ninth in Right Elite II; Crouse, Beaconsfield, third in Right Elite II and fourth in Right Elite I; Shawn Ross, Kingston, third in Left Elite I; Laird, Torbrook, fourth in Left Elite II, sixth in Left Heavy, and ninth in Right Heavy; and Terrance Wrigley, Middleton, fourth in Right Lightweight.

Video from this tournament, along with past tournaments, can be viewed at armsportvideos.com.

Upcoming events for the Valley Armwrestling Club include Ross’ trip to the Arnold Schwarzenegger Classics in Ohio in early March. Also, a junior tournament was slated for March 3 at Bedford Place Mall.

Anyone interested in joining the sport of armwrestling is encouraged to contact Sue Cole at 825-4260 or Mark Crouse at 665-4109.

SUE COLE is communications coordinator for the Valley Armwrestling Club.