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Arm Wrestling Vocabulary

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Two men arm wrestling at a table with folded banknotes wagered beside their hands

“Arm wrestling; a steady elbow and strong wrists are needed by these competitors.”

More Arm Wrestling Vocabulary and Arm Wrestling Facts:

  • Arm wrestling dates back centuries, with early references found in Japan as far back as the 8th century.
  • Modern competitive arm wrestling took off in the 1950s, and the first World Wristwrestling Championship was held in 1962.
  • The three main techniques are the hook (pulling with wrist and bicep strength), the toproll (twisting the opponent’s wrist), and the press (pushing using the shoulder and chest).
  • To win, a competitor must force their opponent’s hand down to the pad, while keeping their own elbow on the table throughout the match.
  • Because of the intense force involved, arm wrestling carries a real risk of injury, including fractures of the upper arm bone.

Talking About Strength:

  • Strong (Adjective): Having great physical power.
  • Powerful (Adjective): Having great strength or force.
  • Muscular (Adjective): Having well-developed muscles.
  • Sturdy (Adjective): Strongly and solidly built.
  • Robust (Adjective): Strong and healthy; vigorous.
  • Mighty (Adjective): Possessing great strength or power.

Grip games like arm wrestling gave English the expression to have the ‘upper hand‘ – meaning to have an advantage over someone else. And if a competitor who’s losing manages to reverse the situation and win, we say they’ve turned the tables – a great way to describe a dramatic comeback, whether it’s in an arm wrestling match or in everyday life!

In the News

Spotted in the newsWhy arm wrestling is having a massive second ‘golden age’ – NPRnpr.org

Frequently Asked Questions

What does it mean to have “the upper hand”?

It means to have an advantage over someone else in a situation or competition.

What are the three main arm wrestling techniques?

The hook, the toproll, and the press.

Test Yourself

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