1.Although armwrestling is an age old sport that has been practiced in a highly competitive environment, and that is currently recognised as an organised sport and is extremely popular around the world, it is still a growing sport in Africa, and also within South Africa.
2.The SAAWF was established in 2002, with the aim and goal to organise, promote and manage armwrestling as a recognised and official sport in South Africa. We continuously strive to search though our rich local talent and to popularise armwrestling as the exhilarating and sensational spectator sport that it is in South Africa. Our Federation has been recognised since 2002 by the World Armwrestling Federation (WAF) who are responsible the organisation and management of this sport on an international level.
3.During this short period we have already attained a few phenomenal achievements. At the All Africa Open Championships, held in Morocco during April 2002, we were proud to have two (2) SA armwrestlers make their mark in this sport. Armand du Toit took the trophy (gold) in the Open Division and Pierre du Bruyn took the trophy for the under 85kg Division! This major achievement was made although they went up against some of the best and most experienced European armwrestlers at the Championships!! Armand du Toit was therefore the Africa Open Champion in 2002.
4.The SAAWF took a team of six (6) members on invitation to the European Open Armwrestling Championships in Belgium (24 to 29 July 2002). South Africa’s team that was made up from men only, participated in the following weight categories: u/65kg, u/75kg, u/85kg, u/100kg, 100kg +, Masters and Disabled u/75kg and was represented by the following members:
Hannes Wilkens Willie Botha Pierre de Bruyn Armand du Toit Renier du Toit Daan du Toit - u/65kg & disabled - u/75kg - u/85kg - u/100kg - 100kg + - Masters
5.The European Championships was represented by fifteen (15) different countries. The competition was stiff; however our team proved their ability and kicked dust in the eyes of more experience and highly reknown international armwrestlers. Although armwrestling was still finding its feet in South Africa, our armwrestlers were able to do above average by using older techniques and thus were able to make the overseas competitors sit up and take notice of this inexperienced team. The South African team participated against numerous World Champions as well as highly experienced international competitors, some who have been participating in this sport for more than 17 years.
6.Our armwrestlers had some major achievements at these championships as below:
Hannes Wilkens
- Wins Disabled Division (u/75kg) = Gold Medal - Second in u/65kg Division = Silver Medal
Willie Botha - Sixth place
Pierre de Bruyn - Sixth place and was also chosen as "Guest of the town” (Gold Medal)
Armand du Toit - Fourth place (left) and Sixth place (right)
Renier du Toit - Fifth place
Danie du Toit - Third place in Masters Division = Bronze Medal
7.With the above achievement under the belt armwrestling in South Africa was established as an official amateur sport, and a solid foundation was laid for the growth of the sport. The Federation was thus formed and from there the sport grew with leaps and bounds due to the hard work and promotion by these first six armwrestlers.
8.SA Championships are held annually as well as numerous local and district competitions across South Africa. Sponsorships have been difficult to obtain due to the sport still being relatively unknown in South Africa as well as the lack of expertise of the Armwrestling Management. From 2002 to 20010 we were able to find a few sponsors that have made it possible to promote the sport within the South African borders. Our sport is however still rather small and unknown, due to the lack of large sponsors and sponsorships, money and expertise.
9.SA National Championships was arranged and held since 2003 until date as follows. (Note: Since 2014 Nationals has been moved to the November in prior year to allow armwrestlers more time to raise the necessary funds to participate overseas):
2003 Wonderwaters, Pretoria
2004 Carnival City, Brakpan
2005 Grand West Casino, Cape Town
2006 Die Arend Biltong fees, Brakpan
2007 Graceland Casino, Secunda
2008 Tshwane Events Centre, Pretoria
2009 Generaal Hertzog Laerskool, Witbank
2010 Lake Umuzi, Secunda
2011 Baines Game Lodge, Bloemfontein
2012 Cesco's Centurion
2013 Mokopane, Limpopo
2014 Witbank, Gauteng
2015 Cuppucinos - Witbank, Gauteng
10.South African armwrestlers have also had the opportunity to participate in the following World Championships since 2002:
2002 USA 2 Armwrestlers
2003 CANADA 5 Armwrestlers
2004 SOUTH AFRICA 36 Armwrestlers
2005 JAPAN 2 Armwrestlers
2006 ENGLAND 11 Armwrestlers
2007 BULGARIA 1 Armwrestler
2008 CANADA -
2009 ITALY 10 Armwrestlers
2010 USA 6 Armwrestlers
2011 KAZAKHSTAN -
2012 BRAZIL 8 Armwrestlers
2013 POLAND 5 Armwrestlers
2014 LITHUANIA -
2015 MALAYSIA
11.Our armwrestlers have done extremely well during every large international competition, and are recognised by the International Armwrestling Community, despite our previous lack of experience and specialised training.
12.During the World Championships in 2004, held in Durban, we were proud to present our first World Champion, namely Judy Jacobs (female armwrestler). This achievement gave South African armwrestling a major boost and motivated many armwrestlers to start training on a more serious level in the hopes of also achieving this level of success.
In 2009 Juan Nel obtained Gold in the Junior Boys 80kg+ division on the left arm, once again proving South Africa was on the right track.
In the 2012 Championships, South Africa brought home a total of 5 medals as follows: Terence Opperman (Silver on left arm and Bronze on right arm); Berdene Muller (Bronze on left and right arm) and Dewet Botha (Bronze on right arm).
13.One of our local participants qualified during the 2004 Championships as InternationalJunior Referee when he successfully completed the required Referee exam. This gave him the right to referee at international competitions, which included the 2004 World Championships, namely Danie du Toit (Pretoria).
14.The following members qualified as Senior International Referees as follows: - Danie du Toit qualified at the World Championships in Britain in 2006. - Rosemary Buys qualified at the World Championships in USA in 2010. - Terence Opperman qualified at the World Championships in Brazil in 2012.
15.Armwrestling is currently growing with great success in South Africa en we hope to achieve recognition within the South African sporting community as a formal sport. Armwrestling has come a long way from its roots as a bar / canteen “sport”. This is a sport based on true scientific techniques and ability en is practiced on many levels. What makes armwrestling so appealing for participants and sponsors, is the fact that it such a exciting spectator sport.
16.The South African Arm Wrestling Federation (SAAWF) is currently in the process of putting in place the infrastructure, such as provincial management, referee grading and development, etc. We are as previously mentioned affiliated to the World Armwrestling Federation (WAF). It is for this reason that we are working towards gaining official recognition from the Minister of Sport in South Africa. WAF is in the process of getting armwrestling registered with Sports Accord as a sport in its own right.
17.Due to the affordability of armwrestling, as there is practically no expensive sporting equipment required, the SAAWF is working towards promoting the sport to all walks of life, including the disabled, previously disadvantaged, women and even our youth and our more mature members of society (masters). The SAAWF has even started holding competitions at schools with the aim promoting this healthy and competitive sport amongst our youth (juniors).
18.We strive to start a project to promote the sport with more schools in South Africa and amongst our previously disadvantaged but we require funding and sponsorships to build the large amount of tables required to get this project off the ground.
19.Armwrestling is a family sport as there are categories for men, ladies, juniors (boys and girls) and sub-juniors (6 – 12 years). The Senior category is from the age of 19 years to 39 years and the Masters category is from 40 to 49 years. Grand Masters category is from the age of 50 years. There is also a category for our disabled members, which includes and junior and senior division.
20.All the above categories include left and/or right participation, and also are sub-divided into weight categories. Additionally there is a special category for the disabled which too is sub-divided into weights, but these members are welcome to participate in the “normal” categories as well.
21.Armwrestlers do not require specialised sporting equipment to participate. It only requires them to exercise their arms and to master the various techniques.
22.During a tournament there are two referees on duty at the table, to ensure that the rules, that are reasonably strict and technical of nature, are followed.
23.We hope to find sponsors to allow our best Armwrestlers who show potential to be able to compete at the World Championships every year