A British grandad has become one of the world’s top arm-wrestlers after taking up the sport just three years ago.
Mark Waldon discovered professional arm wrestling during lockdown but has now captured the gold medal at the European Championships representing Great Britain in the International Federation of Arm Wrestling (IFA)
Now 53, Mark first researched on the internet how to get involved with the sport, and followed up by joining the local Milton Keynes Arm Wrestling Club as soon as pandemic restrictions were lifted.
“Members were all different shapes, sizes and ages, but it was a really friendly, inclusive culture.
His first few bouts ended in humiliating defeat, but six months later it was clear he had a special talent.
A lifelong gym member, Mark was caught off guard because a strong physique wasn’t enough to bring him success. “I got a bit of a shock to begin with because I was losing week in, week out.
“It was a challenge, but I started training the specific muscles you need, and immediately started seeing results,” said the champion from Flitwick, Bedfordshire.
During the pandemic, Mark contracted COVID and then pneumonia. He was ill for months, and at one point believed he wouldn’t live to tell the tale. While in bed recovering, he started looking at videos of arm wrestling and decided, when he got better, it was something he wanted to pursue.
“To be able to say now that I’m a European gold medallist feels pretty special!”
“Covid nearly cost me my life,” said the retired civil servant. “But it made me want to live life to the fullest.”
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He started competing all over the country in national tournaments, and turned pro in May 2021.
“To train the tiny muscles in your arms which you wouldn’t usually use, the exercises are very specific short movements—and you sometimes feel a bit silly doing them in the gym, but that’s what you have to do.”
The father-of-one was recording win after win, and was subsequently accepted by the IFA to represent Great British on the international arm wrestling team.
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Along with 30 teammates, he entered the IFA World Competition in France in September, 2022 and he placed fourth in the under 105kg category for ages 50-60—otherwise known as the grand masters—in both the left and right arm competition.
This month, the grandfather of two won gold in the same categories in the right arm competition at the IFA European Championships in Finland (but had to pull out of the left arm bouts due to a training injury).
Mark says his father’s recent passing is what motivated him to win, and he’s dedicated his victory to him.
“I wanted to win it for him, and I know he’d have been extremely proud of me getting that gold medal, as are my two grandkids. Grace even calls me ‘The Hulk’.
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Like so many in the 1980’s, Arnold Schwarzenegger inspired his fitness journey.
“I think now if I were to meet a younger Arnold on the arm wrestling table, I’d give him a good run for his money!”
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