For any arm wrestler who has not had the pleasure of experiencing the Arnold Classic, take time now to place it on your 2002 calendar.

Four years ago, Bob O'Leary and Fairfax Hackley pulled major strings to introduce arm wrestling at this World Class weekend, and have continued excellent relations with Classic Productions. Friday, Saturday and Sunday are jam-packed with everything related to well being and fitness, from the world's top body builders to gymnasts. Classic Productions, who promotes the fitness show for Mr. Arnold Schwarzenegger, has been very pleased with our performance and has already made an unofficial, "We'll see you next year", commitment.

On Friday, the convention doors opened at 11 AM and arm wrestling began on the main stage. The stage is placed front and center in the convention center with a backdrop canvas of the city of Columbus. The area is huge with a professional lighting and a full sound crew. There is even a large screen stage left. Everything is absolutely first-class.

The media had exclusive rights to the front of the stage. I saw Muscle & Fitness, Iron Man, and NBC Sports jogging for the best spots for pictures and camera locations. There were almost 20 professional camera persons there. The crowds around the staging area and throughout the building were unbelievable. I had heard an estimated 45,000+ persons had come to the show.

Referees for the tournament where Karen Bean, Steve Stanaway, Randy Stanaway, JD Forehand, Steve Pettis, and Gil Trembly. Frank Bean handled announcing and Jill Tullier mastered the bracket sheets. During the tournament, Noel Bean and Heather McSherry ran the AAA booth. All divisions were pulled down to the top four on Friday, and then on Saturday, the divisions were finished and awards distributed.

Now, with three arm wrestling tables running at the same time, I did miss some matches on Friday but this is how I saw things happen: Mr. Fairfax Hackley introduced the massive crowd to what they were about to see; some of the very best arm wrestlers from USA and Canada were about to do battle for the distinct ACAC titles and cash prizes of $1000, $500, $300, and $250 in each class. Considering the amount of press the arm wrestlers received and the excellent treatment - believe me - the $$$$ was secondary!

 

• Lance Whitehill, Washington, and Ray Hennerichs, Louisiana, was the first competitors to hit the tables. Lance is originally from Shenandoah, Iowa, and pulled his first matches with Heartland Armwrestling Inc. Ray is from the same area as Craig Tullier and actually works with Craig in Louisiana. As Ray put it to me over dinner, "I spend more hours with Craig during one day then I do with my family." The way I see it, if you can't be with your family, Craig is a hell of a good substitute. However, today Lance won the match.

   

• Craig Tullier and Tom Wilson were next. It was quick, with Tullier the winner.

• Lance and Alan Berget took the table. Alan gave Lance a pull, but not enough to win the match. Lance the winner.

• I saw Craig T. and Rick Laton pull. Again the win went to Craig.

• On Saturday: Lance and Craig went into the strap. Sometime, I watch a match and think; "Oh my, a slip! Is Tommy-Toproll going to give Joe-Armwrestler a pull?" Don't fall into this type of thinking! A slip is one thing and a good pull in the strap is something else. Once the strap was in place and the ref announced GO, this match was over. Craig T. the winner.

   

• Alan Berget and Ray Hennerichs were next. Both pullers drew elbow fouls and then the strap. I was surprised that Alan gave Ray such a good pull. I say that only because I have set up with Ray and know exactly how much power he has. Ray got up on Alan's thumb and won the match.

• Ray and Lance came to the table. Ray drew an elbow foul and then Lance won the match.

• Craig and Lance again in the final match - Craig's game the whole way.

No offense to anyone intended, but my early monies were on the dogfight of Fisher's knowledge, Rhode's hand and Ballinger's arm. Plus keep in mind that Mike McGraw had the finest Nationals I had ever seen him have, winning the right and left. Mike had just won Reno in the 154's left and right. I figured the victory could drop anywhere, and the arms and jaws did just that - DROP.

• The first match I got to watch was between Ballinger and McGraw. Again, Mike was pulling well at 154 but this is now the 176's. I have also heard how well Ballinger has been pulling with his right. (Everyone knows about Bill unbeatable left). Bill won this pull.

   

• Allen Fisher and Bill Ballinger drew each other into a deep hook. At first, I assumed that Bill dropped Allen into the hook, but I now believe they both went there. Who in their right mind would want to pull Ballinger inside? Allen Fisher is one guy who was not afraid of the deep water of power. Fisher the winner.

• Saturday: Allen Fisher and Andrew (Cobra) Rhodes in the match of the division. Both pullers are legends and respected across the world. Always a pleasure to watch both bring their own flavor to the table. Andrew and Fisher almost immediately slipped, no big surprise to anyone who remembered the HARD strap matches these two pullers gave each other at the 2000 Nationals in Bakersfield, California. This was a straight up battle; Allen had some advantage on lateral pressure after the go. Hard fought with Allen winning the match. Fisher threw up his arms and gave a victory cry. (Remember - Cobra beat Fisher in his own back yard at the Nationals). I had to believe Fisher was reaping a little pay back.

• Troy Eaton, Canada and Olin Lucas, Louisiana, was next. Olin may not be a common name to the sport, but here's a little background. He trains with Craig Tullier and Ray Hennerichs; he also represented Team USA at Russia, in 1999, and in Virginia Beach in 2000. Olin placed third in last year's Arnold and second to Mike McGraw in the 154's at Nationals. Olin flashed Troy, to win the match.

   

• Olin now is given a one-minute rest before he had to pull Cobra. They came to the table and the match began with an elbow foul from Cobra. Then a slip. In the strap, we all let the bottom jaw hit the floor as we saw Olin sneak a shoulder up behind a top-roll move to push Andrew to the pad. (Was Cobra physically tired from the Fisher match? Was he simply not mentally ready for the match? What happened? And what a lucky dog Olin was!)

• Was it luck that won Olin's match with Cobra? Hell, no! It was hard work and not being afraid to pull anyone! I took a good lesson from this young man on Saturday and so did everyone else. The Fisher-Lucas match answered all the questions of luck. Lucas stopped Fisher's hit! And while it was one hell of an effort from Olin, Allen never lost hand control or the match.

• Michael Todd, Arkansas, and Michael Selearis, New York, took the table in the early rounds. Selearis won the match.

• The strong arm of Aaron Lengyel, Canada and Jason Remer, Minnesota, matched up, with Jason winning.

• Jacob Abbott, Washington, and Michael Selearis had a BATTLE! Michael was tucked deep with Jacob, jabbing to the pad. Selearis beat Abbott. Abbott is the 1998 and 1999 ACAC and Nationals Champ, this victory was huge for Selearis.

• Robert Redden, Louisiana and Jason Remer were next. Robert popped Jason's hand over and pinned him very quickly. Remer confessed that he didn't have his grip set on the "Go". A hard lesson to learn.

• Michael Todd and Jason Remer was a great match. Jason had a good deep hit on Michael, however he didn't finish the match. Michael caught and masterfully worked the hand back to the pinning pad. Todd kept jamming into Jason and was always working his own elbow toward the pad. The constant pushing and repositioning of the elbow reminded me of reeling in a fish. Cheers to Michael, it was one of the best pieces of technique I had seen during the whole tournament!

• Jacob Abbott and Aaron Lengyel pulled next. Abbott was the victor.

• Saturday's match started with Michael Selearis and Robert Redden, Robert won.

• Michael Todd and Jacob Abbott jumped into a deep, deep hook. Once again Jacob had the advantage, only to lose the match to Michael. Michael's victory heaved a roar of cheers from the massive crowd.

• Michael got the one-minute rest before he had to pull Selearis. Selearis was having one of the best days I have ever seen him have. Michael came to this tournament READY and Todd simply ran out of gas. Michael Todd finished a very respectable third place.

• Robert Redden and Mike Selearis were next. I didn't think Michael would have had anything left for Robert; but I was wrong. The pull started with Redden picking up an elbow foul. Then Michael peeled back Robert's wrist and drove him home. This victory left the boys one-and-one. They both had one loss.

• The final match between Robert and Michael was pulled in the strap. It was a dogfight. Congratulations to Robert who won the division. And a shout goes out to Selearis for pulling the best tournament of his life!

• Eric Woelfel, California, and Earl Wilson, Canada began the Super Heavy weight class. Earl is a great competitor who became Eric's first victim.

• Travis Bagent, West Virginia, and Don Underwood, Middouri, was next. Don has been pulling some good matches this year and Travis has packed on some serious muscle. Travis was simply a little too much for Don.

• Dan Victor and Bucky Russell squared off and Bucky won the match.

• Ryan Espey, Canada, has not only been arm wrestling. He also competes in strong man tournaments. Ryan is a huge man - no neck, all muscle. It was a pleasure to meet him and all the pullers from Canada. Ryan and Eric Woelfel pulled a match. To my amazement, Eric quickly pinned Ryan for the win.

• Earl Wilson and Dan Victor met each other in the B-side of the bracket. It's tough to be a puller who usually wins their match, to suddenly find yourself on the B-side. These two IMMENSE guys fought to stay alive in the tournament. Earl stayed in and Dan was out.

• Travis Bagent and Bucky Russell were next. Cliff Hall made the comment, "I have never seen these guys this big before!" And he was right; both were undefeated at this point and ready to do battle. Travis won the match; he was headed for Saturday's portion of the tournament, unbeaten.

• David (a.k.a Who's Your Daddy?) Randal, Georgia, and Eric Woelfel were also battling to see who would be in the finals come Saturday. David was beat by Eric at the 2000 Nationals, but David beat Eric at last year's Arnold. It was a tough bet, but David was the winner and quite relieved after the victory.

• Saturday: Travis had admitted to being a little nervous about pulling David Randall, this was the first time Travis had been pulling the BIG guys. The match was a referee's set and quick, David won.

• Bucky Russell and Eric Woelfel, both 39 years old and pulling their butts off. The match did end up in a strap and a Woelfel victory. Bucky finished fourth.

• Eric and Travis were next. The winner pulls Randal in the finals and the loser will be third. One foul on Eric, then the strap, then the second dreaded foul. Eric lost the match on fouls.

• David and Travis, was slam-bam-thank-you-mam. It was all David.

I believe it was in 1999 that The Arnold Classic invited ladies for the first time. Two of the favorites Margie Worden and Joette Peterson drew each other in the first round. And it was a battle, which hurt both of their placements. But you know what, that's how the bracket drops sometimes. Karen Cooley was the Champ in 1999.

In 2000, we saw Margie Worden and Karen Curavoo battle it out. Karen competed in the very first WAF World Championship in Wetaskawin, Alberta, Canada in 1979 and WON! She had World Titles under her belt LONG before any of us were thinking about arm wrestling. However, Margie won the 2000 Arnold Title.

Now in 2001, you have to remember Margie may have won the 2000 AAA Nationals but Stefani Burns destroyed the competition at the WAF Worlds. And what about Karen Curavoo, who can pull hard? Judy Dodd won the 121 Nationals, untouched; Karen Cooley and Tamara Kelly are both World Competitors and have years of experience. Last but not least, is the fast hitting youth of Lisa Hall, who placed third at last years Arnold. You pick a winner!

• Karen Cooley, 35, Michigan and Stefani Burns, 24, California started the estrogen battle on Friday. The ladies slipped, were strapped and started the match again. Stefani took Karen down for the win. Stefani, with her husband David, also announced that they are expecting their first child.

• Margie Worden 38, Nebraska and Tamara Kelly, Ontario, Canada, was the next match. These ladies had not pulled each other since the Main Event, several years ago. Margie was concerned about Tamara's hand. She had hoped to get a good grip and get the match over with quickly. The match happened as planned, Margie won.

• Judy Dodd, California, who had a wonderful 2000 Nationals and Lisa Hall, Nebraska, took the table. I believe Lisa had the hit, but Judy had the muscle.

• Karen Curavoo, Vermont, who had a bye the first round and Stefani Burns were next. I actually had my money on Karen, but Stefani showed that winning Worlds was no mistake and took this match, as well.

• Margie Worden and Judy Dodd both won their respective 2000 Nationals at 132 and 121. Margie came to the Arnold with a lot of muscle and confidence. Judy was handed her first lost of the tournament.

• Lisa Hall had actually practiced for one particular match, which may or may not happen at the Arnold. It happened. Lisa and Tamara Kelly were next. Lisa felt that she had given the very experience Tamara a good pull twice in Thunder Bay; Lisa had loss both matches on elbow fouls. Tamara got a good grip; Lisa had the hit but once again didn't have enough muscle. Ms. Kelly stayed alive and Lisa was out the back door.

• Judy Dodd and Karen Cooley were next. Karen who is a small, muscular lady must of train her behind off for this event! She clearly won this match against the very impressive Judy. Karen is very polished; she almost always has a clear head. As you know, a clear head can take you very far. All too often we are our own toughest opponent.

• Karen Curavoo seemed unsure during the tournament and Tamara Kelly took advantage of the situation. Karen is as strong as they come. Unfortunately, this loss put her out of the tournament and Tamara into the top four to pull on Saturday.

• Saturday: Being a fellow Nebraskan, you have to know that I was hoping that Margie would redeem her difficult World's performance. This morning she pulled the lady who had the Worlds of her life, Stefani Burns. Margie has very long fingers and a ton of muscle and on this weekend an appetite for victory. Stef suffered her first loss of the tournament.

• Karen Cooley and Tamara Kelly were next. First Karen popped an elbow and drew a foul. Starting again, a slip and now a strap. The third start found Tamara picking up an elbow foul. Fourth start and what a battle: in the strap, one foul a piece, these ladies didn't hold anything back. I thought it was the best ladies match of the tournament. Karen Cooley took the win.

• Stefani and Karen were next after a minute rest for Karen, it wasn't enough and Stef won easily.

• Final match: Margie iced the cake and Ms. Burns earned second.