Want changes? Where is CAWF executive?

[Jay Riehle]

Supposing we are still following the 2 year term system 2014 should be the election year.

[Pat Rehill]

I look at and respect everyone's opinions but I can't help saying that this change will do nothing to improve our sport and as far as Olympics go; it will not happen unless other changes are made that make the IOC take a serious look at us. These are my thoughts that I feel would help our sport return to it's former glory and move forward; first centralize nationals and take a close look at the numbers, give it two or three years and see where we are at, if the numbers have gone up substantially that shows the lack of interest problem has been solved. I think this should happen first and then we can look at other options if we feel a further change is necessary. I hear what people are saying about less classes and the remaining classes will be larger and more competitive, however; if we centralize and that makes more people want to attend, will that not make the classes bigger and more competitive?

[Windover]

Question: Do the heads of the CAWF not know the heads of the other countries? In this day of EASY communication could there not be a round table discussion with other countries on changes that need to be addressed on a larger scale? If concensus was strong, could it not then be taken to WAF and initiate changes before Worlds? Who wrote in stone that this type of thing could only be done at the end of the year. With indecision and "looking into it" changes have taken far too long to initiate.

One thing that is KILLING our sport, has been for years, has been "looked at" over and over and over, with little to nothing done or attempted, is........ wait for it.........ELBOW FOULS!!!!! I have seen begging and pleading from all over the world about this, with little to nothing being done. If things are in the works, it is taking FAR too long. This past worlds is a classic example of some great matches that never happened. If you are going to talk Olympics, (which I feel who cares personally), this is the number ONE thing that needs to be addressed and addressed yesterday. Running fouls, change the pad, add a spring to lift pad, something for gods sake besides, NOTHING!!

Again in this day and age with technology, meetings could take place conference wise to initiate changes within weeks, not centuries!

[Mr. Espey]

With the IOC trying to cut forms of wrestling, is it realistic to make changes based on getting in the Olympics or should we just focus on trying to get as much positive exposure to the sport and improve it for the armwrestlers?

It is apparent that no opinion will be offered publicly by our leadership.

[Eric Roussin]

The current stumbling block to centralizing Nationals is that no one in the middle of the country has shown interest in taking this on. And unless significant changes are made to reduce the costs of hosting Nationals, it is unlikely that anyone will step forward. If hosting Nationals is made more appealing to promoters, things may change.

I agree with Ryan (and many others) that our focus should NOT be on getting into the Olympics, but to improve the sport for the pullers.

[Jeff Miller]

The elbow fouls are a problem, however I always felt in armwrestling you have to keep your elbow down, or it's not fair. The running fouls system I believe is less than ideal. I think a hybrid of Rick Pinkney's idea of the 1/2" thick border would work:
The pads stay as they are with the following addition, but there is a 1/2" thick border around the outer edge; have an elastic, yet rugged fabric stretched across the top surface. This will give you 1/2" of play up and down, and the ref can still look for light under your elbow so their calls are "black and white".

[Windover]

Been thinking about this though Jeff and although I agree somewhat, they are never black and white. What does this sport really need to take off??? Spectators. And no matter what you do to make the elbow pad higher, someone or most will breach that barrier ever so slightly and daylight appears and a call is made. The (so called) audience is thinking, "what just happened". The camera for replay is working double time to find that moment when the daylight appeared, and by the time it has found it? The audience yawned and left.

Over dramatic I know, but seriously, maybe we can try letting it go somewhat? I have seen this done many times in some bigger tournaments, MGC and such where it was common knowledge that if the match was a good one, let it go. At the end of it, the crowd was roaring, the competitors were huffing and smiling and even the refs were acknowleding that the decision to watch the match unfold, instead of stopping it because daylight appeared a few times was well worth it.

Now I can hear Rick Pinkney saying, "what do we let go, 1/8" 1/4" 3/8"? and I say yes, sure and maybe. If you feel you could get your hand under it, call it. If you cant dont. If the competitors know the call is sound, no argument. Foul for off the pad front, back, sides. Little hops, let it go. Dont worry about the exact height, we as refs know a blatant elbow from a fraction. We as arm wrestlers may have to give a bit of discretion to the refs so that the matches are better.

As I said at the MGC it is common knowledge that the small stuff is overlooked, and I cant remember a complaint yet. Even the losers of the big matches were agreeable to let it go!

If this sport is ever to go mainstream, we have to let the public see arm wrestling, not reffing. I can honestly say I cannot think of a time when I lost because my opponent hopped a 1/4" up. Only off the pad in directionally. Again, we have to try something. This would not take any changes to anything, but the calls.

Oh and Ryan, we have leadership? Where??? It seems very similar to our OAA leadership at the moment.

[Jeff Miller]

Good ideas Guy. I like the judgement call, and I really don't mind little hops like you're mentioning. In my experience I hate the running fouls system when the guys elbows are sliding off the sides/front/back of the pad...I've seen this many times and I think that is total BS; so I agree FOUL if elbow goes outside the pad off front/back/sides in the horizontal plane. Little hops I'm fine with. And yes this would have the advantage of not replacing all the existing equipment (which is clean as is), and not be too sticky on the rules so that it stays fun.

[joey costello]

I agree with Ryan too that we should be focussing more on the growth of the sport than on moving towards the Olympics.
I don't know where the idea came from to put our efforts into the Olympics.
I use the Olympics as a reference only.
Sorry again Ryan, it appears that your not getting your answers fast enough.
Yes I speak to the exec.
The next Election will be in Manitoba in 2016.

[Mr. Espey]

Manitoba?