By Marty Raminoff
Arm wrestling has become a common commotion in New York City streets.
Since the onset of the pandemic, when gyms were shuttered, groups of jacked strangers have been challenging each other and anyone else who agrees to a match. Seemingly the ‘sport’ kept the individuals entertained during the isolation, and they don’t seem to be ready to relinquish the pastime.
As reported by the NY Post, one such table setup was organized by Mikhail Anoshka, a recent college graduate. He built a makeshift table for arm-wrestling in front of his family’s Brighton Beach, Brooklyn, home. He was inspired by a muscular man he had seen doing wrist curls at the Sheepshead Bay 24 Hour Fitness before it was closed off. “I knew he was into arm-wrestling because he had the fat grip on,” Anoshka said. “I randomly asked him to arm wrestle, and I couldn’t even move his hand.” For the past year, the 27-year old has been practicing and working on his childhood ambition to improve and one day beat his father at arm wrestling. Sometimes 15 people gather at the table to dual or watch, mingling, flexing and arguing at the curb. His table is one of many in Brooklyn, Coney Island and other parts of the city.
Arm wrestlers even have a free app, named Armbet, released in March 2020, which allows users to find and connect with other table-owners in Queens, Long Island and even New Jersey to train with. “A lot of arm-wrestling in the past has been very word of mouth. We created Armbet to help people connect,” said app founder and North America’s No. 1 ranked arm-wrestler Devon Larratt. The app now boasts 20,000 global users. “It’s super accessible — all you need is the willing,” said Larratt, explaining the ease and appeal. “As long as you have an arm and a hand, you’re good to go for arm wrestling.” Many former Soviet countries formally recognize it as a sport, but “in North America, it’s still relatively underground,” said Larratt, noting that it has undergone a grassroots growth sprout but still has a way to go. “It has become more popular than ever,” New York Arm Wrestling Association President Jack Arias told The Post, referring to arm-wrestling.
“So much of the world is being taught to shy away from people, that people are dangerous. But we are pack animals — people belong together — and the sport of arm-wrestling teaches you that together, we get stronger,” said Larratt.
