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 relatively unknown 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 duing April 2002,
we were proud to have two 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 experience 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 - u/65kg &
disabled Willie
Botha - u/75kg
Pierre de Bruyn -
u/85kg Armand du
Toit - u/100kg
Renier du Toit - 100kg
+ Daan du Toit
- 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 2008 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 (Opens) 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 (1 - 3 May)
2009
-
Generaal Hertzog Laerskool, Witbank
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 - Britain
- 11 Armwrestlers
2007 - Bulgaria - 2
Armwrestlers
2008 - Canada
- None
2009 - Italy
- 10 Armwrestlers
11.
Our armwrestlers have
done extremely well during every large international
competition, and are recognised by the International
Armwrestling Community, dispite our lack of
experience and specialised training till date.
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.
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 International Referees are: Danie
du Toit (Pretoria) and Willie
Botha (Cape Town).
14.
Danie du Toit qualified
at the World Championships in Britain in 2006 as
Senior International Referee and aims to up the
ranks to Master Referee in the near future.
Currently there are only twenty-five (25) Master
Referees in armwrestling across the World.
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.
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 was also
invited by the World Games’ Organisation and
Management Body to participate at the 2008 World
Games. This will be the first time that
armwrestling will receive official recognition and
to participate at this level. WAF’s next step will
be to be able to participate at this official level
as an International independent and recognised
sport.
20.
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.
21.
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.
22.
Armwrestlers do not
require specialised sporting equipment to
participate. It only requires them to exercise
their arms and to master the various techniques.
23.
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. These rules
will be explained to you during planned recording.
24.
We hope to find
sponsors to allow our best Armwrestlers who show
potential to be able to compete at the World
Championships every year.
