Timeline of the Best Armwrestlers on Earth

Timeline of the Best Armwrestlers on Earth

John Brzenk is considered as the “Greatest Arm Wrestler of All Time” by the Guiness Book of World Records.  Brzenk’s height is 6’1″, at his largest his right biceps measured 18 inches and his right forearm 16 inches.

As far as I know, prior to 2006 no one was compiling world rankings. I thought it would be an interesting exercise to try to see who would have likely ever been recognized as the number one ranked right handed armwrestler in the world at any point in time (unlimited weight). Here’s what I’ve come up with from sifting through results and video. I’d like the armwrestling historians out there to share their feedback.

1967 – Dwayne “Tiny” Benedix
1968 – Dwayne “Tiny” Benedix
1969 – Dwayne “Tiny” Benedix
1970 – Jim Dolcini
1971 – Jim Dolcini
1972 – Moe Baker
1973 – Bill Harrison
1974 – Jim Dolcini
1975 – Jim Dolcini
1976 – Virgil Arciero
1977 – Virgil Arciero
1978 – Cleve Dean
1979 – Cleve Dean
1980 – Cleve Dean/Virgil Arciero
1981 – Cleve Dean
1982 – Cleve Dean/Virgil Arciero
1983 – Cleve Dean
1984 – Cleve Dean
1985 – Cleve Dean
1986 – Cleve Dean/Scott Norton
1987 – John Brzenk
1988 – John Brzenk
1989 – John Brzenk/Richard Lupkes
1990 – John Brzenk
1991 – John Brzenk
1992 – John Brzenk
1993 – John Brzenk
1994 – John Brzenk/Cleve Dean/Gary Goodridge
1995 – Gary Goodridge
1996 – Gary Goodridge
1997 – Gary Goodridge/John Brzenk
1998 – Alan Karaev
1999 – John Brzenk
2000 – John Brzenk
2001 – John Brzenk
2002 – John Brzenk
2003 – John Brzenk
2004 – Alexey Voevoda
2005 – Matt Girdner/Travis Bagent
2006 – John Brzenk
2007 – John Brzenk
2008 – John Brzenk/Devon Larratt
2009 – Devon Larratt
2010 – Devon Larratt

It’s important to note that prior to the 1990’s the sport was just in its infancy outside of North America, so many of the early names are based on the Petaluma World Championships (which were recognized as the most important event well into the ’80s).

All time great John Brzenk got the award 17 times.  Cleve Dean 10 times.  Gary Goodridge, Virgil Arciero, and Jim Dolcini 4 times each.  Dwayne “Tiny” Benedix and Devon Larratt 3 times each. 

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