Proposed ladies classes

[Jay Riehle]

Yes Rick, indeed I'm in agreement with you regarding the classes.

[joey costello]

I don't think there has been a poll done for the women yet. I would like to see one with this group 60/70/80/80+ included in the poll.
I would be curious to see how many women vote.
So if Rick would be so kind as to create a poll, I would ask that any women following these threads tell your female friends to VOTE AND COMMENT so we can see who wants what.

[tamara]

I was notified about this thread so im putting my input and questions out there. I understand most of the views and opinions on here but 1 question that wasn't asked.. if the classes are cut and not matching the WAf for the worlds..( comparing this to our provincial classes are not set to match up with our national championships) how will and who will decide which woman represent the other classes missing from our nationals? At our provincials the girls have to show and pull but not place to be able to attend..
My opinion which classes if the classes have to be cut would be 60/70/80/80+. I think these would help in splitting up the girls as evenly as possible. And im not thinking of just myself here because getting to 60kg for me is alot of work when i travel and compete at 140-143 on a regular basis based on those weight classes offered and always jumping up into the heavy weight as well for more pulling. I would have to either suck it up and pull 70 or cut weight( which after 27 yrs i stil absolutely hate!!!)

[Rick Pinkney]

Tamara there is a poll you can vote on classes. Please do. Also there is a poll on triple elimination. If we instituted a triple elimination it will be a matter of who finishes ahead of who. If you and 2 other girls were competing in the 70kg class and you all want to go to Worlds in 65kg then the top 2 would qualify. If the triple doesn't get voted in then we'd have a pull off.

[Tracey Arnold]

As a woman who has been competing in this sport on and off for 17 years, I have seen the sport change quite a bit.
Even though I am a middle weight competitor, I have competed in pretty much every weight class at one tournament or another. I like the suggestion of 60/70/80/80+
As a president, tournament organizer and competitor, I have found recruiting women is not so much the issue as retention.
We struggle all the time to maintain women in the sport Provincially, and sometimes only offer 2 weight classes. I have even chosen not to compete at times so other women will enter. We do need fresh, reasonable ideas.
Unfortunately, I have been one of those athletes affected by constant strain and injury from having to compete in heavier weight classes over many years, because there are not enough competitors in the lighter classes. Or showing up to nationals and winning by default. It gets disheartening when this happens. I don't feel like I deserve the title.
We as a Province are trying to come up with more ideas to recruit and retain. If anyone has ideas please feel free to message me.

[jerrymilne]

I was wondering if someone has done a cost analysis on this issue.
Considering the costs of trophies and referees, you can figure out how many competitors required so you would not lose money.

I don't compete any more (some say I never was competitive ) but having fewer weight classes would make the championships harder and therefore, the trophies/medals are more deserved.

I looked at the past 5 years (2009 - 2013) and the men's classes typically have 10 classes while women's classes typically have 6.

If we took the men's classes down to 6 (70,80,90,100,110, 110+) and the women's down to 4 (60,70,80,80+), we would eliminate the classes with only 1 or 2 pullers.

Men's Classes (average of past 5 Nationals)
-------------
L 70 has 13
R 70 has 14
L 80 has 13
R 80 has 14
L 90 has 13
R 90 has 14
L 100 has 6
R 100 has 8
L 110 has 5
R 110 has 6
L 110+ has 5
R 110+ has 5

Women's Classes (Average of past 5 Nationals)
---------------
L 60 has 3
R 60 has 4
L 70 has 2
R 70 has 3
L 80 has 3
R 80 has 4
L 80+ has 3
R 80+ has 5


Condensing the existing classes down to the fewer classes might make it worthwhile (cost effective) for the promoter and give more competition to each individual.

One could even argue that removal of 100 kg class (which most non Provincial or non National tourneys already do) would even be better, but I think with an average of 7 pullers per arm, it's worthwhile keeping.

Just an opinion.

***EDIT***
I should have mentioned that for the 70 kg class, this would be the sum of the 60,65 and 70 kg classes.
The 80 kg class would have the 75 kg and 80 kg combined.
The 90 kg class would have the 85 kg and 90 kg combined.
Etc.

The fewer classes would be the result of the classes in between the previous class and including the weight class offered.

[Lori Pow]

I am assuming Chris Gobby does not have a problem pulling with Earl Wilson, John Brzenk, Ryan Espey, etc, every circuit tournament or Canadian Nationals in the men's heavier classes for a spot on Team Canada to go to worlds. Nice to see he is a real survivor and efficient enough to take that on. Who would ever say to "NOT Promote or Grow" their sport?? Seriously that is just a ridiculous, negative and damaging comment. Obviously he does not give 10 sh*ts about the women's arm wrestling and should then stay off this thread.

[John Milne]

Chris Gobby has a nickname "The Giant Killer". He continuously challenges much larger men and often for money.

He's challenged Hasan Monfils - and won
He recently challenged Allen Ford, Cam Clark (who is well over 300lbs), myself (prob 220 at the time), etc.

I'm not trying to get involved in a tit for tat between the two of you but raising that point against that man is kinda funny. He backs up what he says.

[John Milne]

Actually I think I remember him challenging Espey as well.

[chrisgobby]

First of all Lori, dial down your dramatic effect. Cutting a few women's classes and comparing it to me (154) pulling 6 classes higher to qualify for worlds is a weak attempt at logic. Second of all, I ll voice my option anywhere & anytime I want.

However.. Your assumption is accurate Lori. If it was truly for the greater good of the sport, I would gain weight, get stronger and "adapt" to survive in the sport I love.

If my opinion is truly "damaging" to the survival of women's armwrestling, what does that say to the fragile state of women's arm wrestling?? In all actuality it is the selfish approach or self serving attitude, masked behind a false sense of nobility that will damage this sport. Spend less time judging my comments (in which I am Intitled to) and more time looking in the mirror.