Arm-wrestling is more than just a simple pastime shared by friends over a beer.
Magda Kaczmarek started competing in the sport five years ago after coming across an arm-wrestling table set up at her local gym.
“They were practising … so I joined in,” she told BarrieToday, adding in addition to the community, she enjoys the adrenaline she experiences when competing. “It makes you feel superior.”
Since first starting in the sport in 2017, Kaczmarek has founded Armwrestling League Canada and often holds competitions in the yard or garage of her Angus home.
“We take this sport very seriously. During COVID, we had so many people join it was unreal. It’s really a lot of fun,” she said, adding it is extremely popular in Europe, which prompted her to travel overseas to get a better understanding of how successful leagues and events are run there.
“I brought it back to Canada with me. I have been doing local events, and I just started doing international events last year, and taking top Canadian athletes to compete with athletes from other countries," Kaczmarek added.
Participating in international competitions was a big success, she said, noting her fellow athletes are eager to do it again.
“Everybody enjoyed it and wants me to keep doing it, and I will. I have already set a date for a competition in 2023.”
Kaczmarek is beginning to grow the league on a more local level for both newcomers and pros alike, and has scheduled an event, open to both newcomers and pros, for Dec. 10 at her home.
“Amateurs are just new people learning in the sport, but for professionals, it’s also to test how strong they are so I could bring them on the elite level to compete against the international athletes,” she said. “There is so much energy and hype about this in the community that it’s unreal.”
Kaczmarek said the league is always open to new athletes interested in trying it out, noting they promise to take it easy on newcomers.
“We do not go all the way the first time. We show the technique and how everything is done. We talk about the different muscle groups, what it affects and what to expect. There’s nothing to be afraid of to come and try it out. It’s really fun," she explained.
As someone who takes arm wrestling seriously, Kaczmarek wants people to know that there is a lot more to it than you may think.
“If I announce a super match six months in advance, all of these guys that are preparing, they are putting a lot of time and effort into training. There is a technique to arm wrestling and there are specific things you have to train for your body,” she said.
There’s also some studying of your competition.
“(It’s) knowing your opponent and what their techniques are so you can attack them, too. They put a lot of time and training and a lot of time dedicated to their diet … and adjusting their training to know what their opponents are like. They are serious.”
