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 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: |
| |
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 |
|
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 |
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. |
13.
|
Two of our local participants also
qualified during the 2004 Championships
as International Referees when they
successfully completed the required
Referee exam. This gave them the
right to referee at international
competitions, which included the 2004
World Championships.
Our current qualified International
Senior WAF Referees are: Danie
du Toit (Pretoria) and Rosemary Stroebel (East Rand). |
14.
|
Danie du Toit qualified
at the World Championships in Britain in 2006 as
Senior International Referee and Rosemary Stroebel
qualified at the World Championships in USA in 2010
as Senior International Referee. Both aim to up the
ranks to Master Referee in the near future.
|
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. |
