2014 Alberta Provincials Results

[Will Sarty]

Gord, I'm all about changing/modifying rules for the better of the sport. One of the main reasons to change the weight classes at nationals was to offer better/bigger classes that motivated people, have offer more pulling for their $ and lower costs for the promoter.

We wanted ideas to generate more pullers to go to nationals, also a reason for triple elimination.

We also had a amazing provincials this year with triple elimination and many strong pullers going in 5-6 different categories. This wouldn't have been the case if we limited nationals to top 3. All pullers would have stuck to one class each arm to ensure they qualified. This format generated much needed revenue to our provincial body and seen some of the best matches Nova Scotia has offered.

We are at a time where attendance at Nationals is diminishing and it has been recognized by all athletes.

Yes you have your right to decide on this change, is it the right time for this move, perhaps, as you say that you cannot fill more than 3 pers per class anyhow. Are you thinking only provincially though and not considering all parties affected by this decision? Perhaps again. I don't really know.

But let's say your putting on Nationals, would you want to limit the Alberta pullers to top 3 only can attend and have the rest of the Alberta arm wrestling community be watching (maybe) on the sidelines???

As a promoter, it would make sense to allow full participation. I learned most of my arm wrestling skills at Nationals being in that spot light and enduring the nerves and skills it takes to be a National champion. Something your 4th place and beyond pullers will not be exposed to.

Some pullers compete at Nationals for the love of the sport and to promote their province. I'd hate to see that taken away because someone didn't get past quarter finals

I couldn't imagine Ontario doing this. Consider the 154s

Maksim Khodu
Brad Wade
Dan B
Joel Goodsell
Aslan Albegov

It would be beyond belief if one of these great pullers took 4th at their Provincials and could not attend Nationals when all of them have the potential of winning 154s

[Jeff Miller]

I couldn't imagine Ontario doing this. Consider the 154s

Maksim Khodu
Brad Wade
Dan B
Joel Goodsell

It would be beyond belief if one of these great pullers took 4th at their Provincials and could not attend Nationals when all of them have the potential of winning 154s

Interesting, I suppose in reality all provinces do not have equal number of athletes, so maybe shouldn't have equal number of qualified athletes. Maybe Ontario would need top 5 for example.

[mwiggins]

these rules appear that they can work for alberta, I don't see jeff and gord trying to stuff their new rules down any other provs throats.

[Jeff Miller]

I'm taking a break from the qualifying debate for a second. Regarding the rule changes we made:
1) 2 fouls, no warnings - great
2) all slips go to straps - great (no more win for slip in winning position)
3) triple elim - great
4) strap, ref's grip needs tweaking but better than before (not much noticeable change)
5) not allowing elbow fouls - very good, easy to ref. I am curious how the nationals elbow hops go - it may be fun, though maybe slightly harder to ref; we'll see.
6) no longer a foul for pushing opponent off pad - I like this, but probably only affected 1 match all day if that.

In essense these "major" changes were actually subtle, but worked well.

[Jeff Miller]

"these rules appear that they can work for alberta, I don't see jeff and gord trying to stuff their new rules down any other provs throats. "

I don't care about imposing rules on Canada, but we would be fools not to talk about what we learned from our trial, which resulted from lots of work up front. The more we know about options the better. Glad you Will, and Gobby put in the effort to debate this...it all helps a lot.

[John Milne]

6) no longer a foul for pushing opponent off pad

Wow.. I don't like this one. There will be guys who can specialize in this for sure. Realistically, it's fully intending to end a match on a foul. Are we now going to award people who take advantage of this loophole? I know some pressers who could probably do this right into a first place at a National event. I hope this is not permanent.

I don't mean to be critical, I like change and see you're trying your best. At the very least your intentions are good and you're all trying to make the sport a better one. I know you can't please everyone.

[Will Sarty]

John we finally agree on something.

I have hated this move since 2003 when I watched Myles Wolko eliminate Dave Hicks by doin this twice at the Worlds. Then attempted the and move twice against Crazy George after he told the head ref exactly what he was going to do.

I seen a lot of injuries occur from this to. It's dirty pulling in my opinion and certainly doesn't look good to the crowd. It's the Low Blow version of boxing

We started the 30 second rule to get set-up and also allowing small elbow bumps if there was no gain in advantage. These were both awesome changes and despite the 30 sec rule, there were no more than usual refs grips and the tourney went faster than our normal double elim events

[Jeff Miller]

We started the 30 second rule to get set-up and also allowing small elbow bumps if there was no gain in advantage. These were both awesome changes and despite the 30 sec rule, there were no more than usual refs grips and the tourney went faster than our normal double elimination events.

You did this at your provincials - and the elbow hops worked well? Did it encourage cheating, or was is overall better? We did the 30 sec. rule, but the refs never paid attention to our stopwatch notifciations, and often a match would start in 45 seconds...which was alright because it was still quicker than a ref's grip would have been.

Personally I haven't seen the dark side of the allowing a push rule, but theoretically I love it. Del also hated it in theory when I discussed this. I think it is the person's fault ie Dave Hick's fault for letting himself get pushed off the pad by Miles- your body, your responsibility...just don't hang off the back of the pad if the guy is doing this.

[Will Sarty]

The elbow bumps were awesome! The matches were much better! Crowd enjoyed it too!

[Jeff Miller]

The elbow bumps were awesome! The matches were much better! Crowd enjoyed it too!

Glad to hear it; I actually could be into this rule too, and I wish I could go to nationals to try it! Actually I like less rigid rules for the fun aspect, as long as the matches are still fair, and from what you're saying it sounds like they were a success.