Can-Am Armwrestling Championships

The History of the Can/Am Armwrestling Championships

The idea of an athletic challenge between two neighbouring countries is not a novel one. It has occurred in places around the world involving a wide range of sporting endeavours. In armwrestling, some of the earliest such challenges were held between Canada and the United States, where the organized sport saw its initial growth.

Since the 1970s, several different promoters have called their events “Canadian/American” (“Can/Am” for short) Championships. Some were one-time affairs, while others were held annually for several years. In most cases, the results were generally lopsided, with the hosting country having the lion’s share of competitors and thus earning the most points. And if the tournament was held in the same country each year, these results never changed. One Can/Am series, however, stands out as having been able to navigate these challenges more successfully than any other: the Can/Am Armwrestling Championships first started by Canadian promoter Andy Elliott, and grown with the help of people like Nevada’s Bob Howell, Alberta's Allen Barker, and Canadian Arm Wrestling Association President John Miazdzyk.

Soon after discovering competitive armwrestling in 1977, British Columbia’s Andy Elliott wanted to try to help grow the sport. He organized a few smaller contests in 1978, and then set his sights on something bigger. He wanted to put on a tournament that would attract many of the best pullers from Western Canada as well as those form the American Pacific Northwest. He came up with the idea for the Can/Am Arm Wrestling Championship, which, in addition to having awards for the top competitors in each class, would assign team points based on individual placements in each class. At the end of the day, the country that amassed the greatest total number of points would be declared champion.

Andy Elliott in 1979

Andy settled on a date of January 20, 1979, for his event and decided to host the tournament in Chilliwack, British Columbia, a city just east of Vancouver and within twenty miles of the American border. There were many active Canadian and American pullers in the area who were already used to crossing the border to attend armwrestling tournaments, so he was confident he could get a decent turnout. A salesman by profession, Andy had an outgoing personality and was very good at finding sponsors. Before long, he had gathered $2,000 worth of awards and prizes for the tournament (equivalent to roughly $7,000 in 2020 dollars), to be divvied up between four men’s right-hand classes and a single women’s open class.

The inaugural Can/Am attracted approximately 75 pullers from British Columbia, Alberta, Washington, and Oregon. Each state and province was well-represented, but the club from Battle Ground, Washington, stole the show. Gordy Bramsbma edged out “King of the Klondike” champion Tony Senger to take the middleweight title, Don Boespflug (known by some as the first person to have his arm broken on national television when ABC’s Wide World of Sports aired the 1972 edition of the World’s Wristwrestling Championship), beat Vancouver’s Heinz Huesmann (1974 Carling O’Keefe world champion) to win the heavyweight class, while reigning NAWA world champion Nora Huffman easily defeated all her opponents on her way to capturing the women’s title. But the standout puller of the event was Washington’s Jerry Nelson, who won his lightweight class and then took the overall title! When the points were tallied, Team USA was declared the winners of the first Can/Am.

Jerry Nelson (right) battles it out with Washington's Rick Yearout at the 1979 Can/Am.

While Andy was satisfied with the level of talent at the tournament, he felt the event was not sufficiently supported by the community. Spectator turnout was relatively low. So, in 1980, he decided to try his luck hosting the event in Red Deer, Alberta. At the time, more tournaments were being held in Alberta than in any other province in Canada, and he saw the potential for considerable participation. The more northern location proved to be a deterrent to American pullers, however. While Chilliwack was about a 5-hour drive from Battle Ground, Red Deer was 14 hours away from the town. The 1980 Can/Am saw many of Canada’s best pullers compete, but virtually no American pullers. Alberta pullers Dion Lengyel, John Miazdzyk, Tony Senger, and Carl Tatarin won the men’s right-hand classes, while Nancy Green won the women’s division. A new addition for the 1980 tournament was a left-hand division with two men’s weight classes: up to 175 lbs and over 175 lbs. Allen Barker and Barry Newman won these classes.

Although public interest and spectator attendance was significantly higher in Red Deer than it was in Chilliwack, Andy wanted to attract more Americans moving forward. Subsequently, in 1981 the Can/Am moved again: this time to Kamloops, British Columbia. Nevada’s Bob Howell, one of the top middleweight pullers in the world, heard about the event and decided to make the trip up. The new location encouraged other Americans to make the trip as well, and the third edition of the event proved to be the biggest and most successful one to date. The US team, led by Jerry Nelson and Bob Howell, won the majority of the men’s right-hand classes, but the Canadians were able to make up for this by sweeping the women’s and left-hand classes. In the end, Canada won the team title, but it was a close contest.

Bob Howell and BC's Tony Ross at the 1981 Can/Am.

Mr. Howell enjoyed his experience so much that he asked if he could hold the Can/Am in Reno the following year. He had already been hosting events for a few years, including the annual big-money Sands International Arm Wrestling Championships, so tournament organization was not an issue. He was also confident that he could secure sponsorship to dramatically increase the tournament’s prize pot. The Canadians gave Bob their consent, and he got to work.

The prize purse for the 1982 contest was pumped up to $5,000, which worked out to $500 cash and silver belt buckles for all first place finishers and $215 for runner-ups. The new location – the Sands Hotel and Casino – combined with the significant increase in prize money, served to attract several of the top American pullers. Leading up to the event, world champions Virgil Arciero, Pam Carter, Jackie Allard, Clay Rosencrans, Johnny Walker, Dave Patton, and Steve Lusby were expected to attend. It is believed most did in fact attend, but regrettably the event results have not been found so it is not known exactly who showed up and how everyone fared…

What is known is that the 1982 tournament was enough of a success for Bob to host the event again at the Sands the following year. The 1983 tournament once again featured a prize pot of $5,000. Approximately 100 pullers made it out, including California’s Allen Fisher, who took top honours in the men’s lightweight and middleweight classes. Despite taking second to Allen in the lightweight class, Dave Patton won the light heavyweight class. Ed Arnold edged out top Canadian Ron Bertin in the heavyweight class, and Pam Carter continued her reign as the top female armwrestler on the planet by taking first in the unlimited women’s division. Lightweight Lee-Ann Barker was the sole Canadian to win a class.

Bob Howell hosted the Can/Am once again in 1984 – this time moving the tournament up in the calendar to January. The event attracted top talent, including Virgil Arciero, Clay Ronsencrans, Johnny Walker, and 19-year-old John Brzenk. While at this point word of Brzenk’s talent had gotten around, likely no one expected him to perform the way he did at this tournament. He pulled in three classes: middleweight, light heavyweight, and heavyweight. He was on fire, and beat Virgil, Clay, and Johnny Walker for the first time. He went on to win two of the three classes, just coming up short in the heavyweight class losing to Massachusetts’s Mike Shadduck in the finals. The world was now on notice: John Brzenk had arrived!

John returned to Reno for the 1985 Can/Am, and once again pulled three classes. And again, he won two out of three. This time he was stopped in the heavyweight class by Minnesota’s Scott Norton. (Scott is one of the very few people on the planet to have a perfect record against Brzenk.) The remainder of the classes were won by Allen Fisher, Lori Cole, and the new superstar of the women’s division: 6’4” Dot Jones. Richelle Gardner was the sole Canadian in attendance to manage a second-place finish.

Bob Howell would have likely held the Can/Am in January 1986, but a special opportunity arose to host an Over the Top Regional Qualifier at the Sands during this period. For this reason, the Can/Am Championship moved back to Canada, this time to Nanaimo, British Columbia thanks to Allen Barker securing a major sponsor in the Rutherford Mall. The tournament was held in May, with an even bigger prize purse of $7,000. Left-hand classes were added back to the event (they were dropped when the event had moved to the US) and the opportunity to win money with both arms was very appealing to competitors. It was also turned into a two-day event, to accommodate for the addition of amateur classes. Amateurs could earn points as well, but towards an amateur team title.

A large ring was set-up in the mall to showcase the action. It proved to be a great design to encourage spectators to come watch top North American pullers battle for the team trophy. There were large contingents from Washington, British Columbia, and Alberta. There was also a handful of pullers who travelled long distances to take part, including Utah’s John Brzenk. He hoped to make his trip financially worthwhile by winning multiple classes. There was also an additional incentive: first place winners in the right-hand pro divisions qualified to compete in the Over the Top International Championships at the end of July. The event proved to be very tightly contested, with Americans winning six of the eleven classes in the pro division (John won three of these six). But because Canadians took up more of the second, third, fourth place spots – the spots that counted for points – Team Canada came out on top.

Allen and Lee-Ann Barker in 1986

BC's David Matthews pulling Washington's Randy Boespflug at the 1986 Can/Am

The Rutherford Mall was very satisfied with the athlete and spectator turnout (almost 200 total entries across the amateur and pro divisions, plus hundreds of spectators) and it looked forward to hosting the contest again the following year. Apparently, Bob Howell had other plans: he intended to host the Can/Am in January 1987. With both countries wanting to host the 1987 tournament, that’s what happened: there was a Can/Am Championship in Reno in January and a Can/Am Championship in Nanaimo in May.

The 1987 Reno Can/Am did not feature an amateur division, nor did it include left-hand classes. But as usual, the prize money that was offered (down to fourth place) was enough to attract elite-level pullers – at least American ones. It’s unclear if any Canadians even made the trip down given that all of the top four finishers were from the US. John Brzenk and Dave Patton each won two weight classes, while Lori Cole and Nora Huffman won the women’s classes.

An action shot from the 1987 Can/Am in Reno

Four months later in Nanaimo, the Can/Am enjoyed a turnout very similar to the one it had for the 1986 tournament. But the 1987 was different in a couple of respects. One was that the event was filmed for TSN, Canada’s national sports network, for six half-four shows to be broadcast over the summer. It was also the first Can/Am tournament to feature drug testing.

In addition to competing in the 1987 Can/Am in Reno, Jerry Nelson also attended the 1987 Can/Am in Nanaimo. He took second to Dave Patton in Reno, but had a tremendous showing in British Columbia. He pulled four right hand weight classes, winning the 165 and 180-lb classes, taking second in the 200-lb class, and finishing in third in the 201+ class. Ontario’s Paul Cecchini, one of the world’s top featherweight pullers, also made the trip and won the 150-lb right hand class. Pro division class champions were administered drug tests and all passed.

BC's Gerry Beaudry, winner of the 135-lb class at the 1987 Nanaimo Can/Am. John Miazdzyk oversees the action.

Ontario's Paul Cecchini, winner of the 150-lb class at the 1987 Nanaimo Can/Am

Alberta's Greg Topola (left) faces Washington's Clyde Young in the left-hand 180-lb class.

It is unclear why, but Bob Howell decided that the 1987 Can/Am would be the last one he hosted. So in 1988 and 1989, the event continued to be held at the Rutherford Mall, making it the de facto permanent location for the tournament. John Miazdzyk took over organizing duties from Allen Barker.

The 1988 and 1989 contests continued to attract large turnouts for the amateur division – the tournament had become one of Canada’s biggest and best annual events and for many pullers it was “the” event to attend. This said, pro division turnout dipped slightly in entries, but not in calibre. Featherweight sensation Dave Hicks made the short trip to Nanaimo for the first time in 1988 and won his weight class with both arms. Ontario’s Gary Goodridge, Canada’s top right hand super heavyweight puller at the time, also made the trip that year. He won with his right, but lost the in the finals of his left hand class to Alberta’s Brad Hunker. In 1989, Dave returned and successfully defended his two titles. Gary did not attend, but John Brzenk did, and he experienced a similar fate: he won the two right-hand classes he entered, but lost with his left to none other than Brad Hunker. Brad’s left was without a doubt one of the best in the world at that time.

John Brzenk at the 1989 Can/Am

BC's Mike Kadar (left) pulling Jerry Nelson at the 1989 Can/Am

Brad Hunker in 1989

A notable absence from the 1989 tournament was John Miazdzyk. The lead proponent of the Can/Am had been recently diagnosed with a brain tumour. Tragically, he passed away just three months after the 1989 tournament. Making the future of the event even more uncertain was the fact that the Rutherford Mall announced that it would not be hosting the tournament in 1990. Ultimately, these factors, in combination with sponsorship challenges led to the cancellation of the 1990 Can/Am.

Cathy Morrison, who stepped in for John to ensure the 1989 tournament could move ahead as scheduled, was able to secure a location for the Can/Am in 1991. The event moved to the Capilano Mall in North Vancouver. The tournament was run in the same manner with one key difference: there was no prize money for the pros. This kept a few pullers away, but many of Western Canada’s and Washington’s to pullers still made the trip, including veteran pullers Jerry Nelson, Rick Yearout, Nora Huffman, and Tony Senger, who all competed in the very first Can/Am in 1979. Tony Senger had an incredible day winning five first place trophies: three in the pro division and two in the senior division for pullers 45 years of age and older.

1991 ended up being the final time the Can/Am Championship was organized. Throughout its 12-year run the tournament served as a great example of what could be achieved when great promoters and pullers from neighbouring countries worked together to make something special.

Researched and Written by Eric Roussin

Historical Results

1979 Can/Am Arm Wrestling Championship
January 20, 1979 – Chilliwack, BC

Men’s Right 0-150 lbs
1. Pierre Bardal - CAN
2. ? - USA
3. Don Harnish - CAN

Men’s Right 151-175 lbs
1. Jerry Nelson - USA
2. Rick Yearout - USA
3. Rod Barrett - CAN

Men’s Right 176-200 lbs
1. Gordy Brambsma - USA
2. Tony Senger - CAN

Men’s Right 201+ lbs
1. Don Boespflug - USA
2. Heinz Huesmann - CAN
3. Gary Winters - USA

Women’s Right
1. Nora Huffmann - USA
2. Rebel Chambers - USA
3. Dianne Stiglemeir - CAN

Team Champion – USA

Tournament Director – Andy Elliott

1980 Can/Am Arm Wrestling Championship
May 10, 1980 – Red Deer, AB

Men’s Right 0-150 lbs
1. Dion Lengyel - CAN
2. Brennan Lengyel - CAN
3. Kelly Korpinski - CAN

Men’s Right 151-175 lbs
1. John Miazdzyk - CAN
2. Andy Elliott - CAN
3. Borden Letawsky - CAN

Men’s Right 176-200 lbs
1. Tony Senger - CAN
2. Eugene Roberge - CAN
3. John Miazdzyk - CAN

Men’s Right 201+ lbs
1. Carl Tatarin - CAN
2. John Miazdzyk - CAN
3. Alex Barker - CAN

Women’s Right Open
1. Nancy Green - CAN
2. Jacky Carlson - CAN
3. Christine Phillips - CAN

Men’s Left 0-175 lbs
1. Allen Barker - CAN
2. Randy Petrician - CAN

Men’s Left 176+ lbs
1. Barry Newman - CAN
2. Bill Adomaitis - CAN

Team Champion – Canada

Tournament Director – Andy Elliott

1981 Can/Am Arm Wrestling Championship
September 26, 1981 – Kamloops, BC

Men’s Right 0-150 lbs
1. Allen Barker - CAN
2. Sylvio Bourque - CAN
3. Lynn Mylmuk - CAN
4. Rick Sizemore - USA

Men’s Right 151-175 lbs
1. Jerry Nelson - USA
2. John Miazdzyk - CAN
3. Ivan Barker - CAN

Men’s Right 176-200 lbs
1. Bob Howell - USA
2. Jerry Nelson - USA
3. Tony Ross - CAN

Men’s Right 201+ lbs
1. Bob Howell - USA
2. Gary Winters - USA
3. Bill Adomaitis - CAN

Women’s Right Open
1. Lee-Ann Knoedler - CAN
2. Ann Lorimer
3. Cathy Nelson

Men’s Left 0-175 lbs
1. Allen Barker - CAN
2. Jerry Nelson - USA
3. Randy Petrician - CAN

Men’s Left 176+ lbs
1. Tom Helgeson - CAN
2. Bob Howell - USA

Team Champion – Canada

1982 Can/Am Arm Wrestling Championships
Sands Regent Hotel, Reno, NV – July 4, 1982

RESULTS NEEDED

Tournament Director - Bob Howell

1983 Can-Am Arm Wrestling Championships
Sands Regent Hotel, Reno, NV - June 18, 1983

PRO CLASSES

Men's Lightweight
1. Allen Fisher - USA
2. Dave Patton - USA

Men's Middleweight
1. Allen Fisher - USA
2. Tony Senger - CAN

Men's Light Heavyweight
1. Dave Patton - USA
2. Greg Johnson - USA

Men's Heavyweight
1. Ed Arnold - USA
2. Ron Bertin - CAN

Women's Right 0-145 lbs
1. Lee-Ann Barker - CAN
2. Caroline Snow - CAN

Women's Right 146+ lbs
1. Pam Carter - USA
2. Nora Huffman - USA

Team Champion – USA

Tournament Director - Bob Howell

1984 Can/Am Arm Wrestling Championships
Sands Regent Hotel, Reno, NV – January 14, 1984

Men's Right 165 lbs
1. Allen Fisher - USA

Men's Right 166-185 lbs
1. John Brzenk - USA

Men's Right 186-205 lbs
1. John Brzenk - USA

Men's Right 206+ lbs
1. Mike Shadduck - USA
2. John Brzenk - USA

Team Champion – USA

Tournament Director - Bob Howell

1985 Can/Am Arm Wrestling Championships
Sands Regent Hotel, Reno, NV – January 12, 1985

Men's Right 0-165 lbs
1. Allen Fisher - USA
2. Dave Patton - USA

Men's Right 166-185 lbs
1. John Brzenk - USA
2. Bill Stone - USA

Men's Right 186-205 lbs
1. John Brzenk - USA
2. David James - USA

Men's Right 206+ lbs
1. Scott Norton - USA
2. John Brzenk - USA

Women's Right 0-145 lbs
1. Lori Cole - USA
2. Richelle Gardner - CAN

Women's Right 146+ lbs
1. Dot Jones - USA
2. Pam Carter - USA

Team Champion – USA

Tournament Director - Bob Howell

1986 Can/Am Arm Wrestling Championships
May 9-10, 1986 – Nanaimo, BC

PRO CLASSES

Men’s Right 0-135 lbs
1. Gerry Beaudry - CAN
2. John Brook - CAN
3. Randy Jalbert - CAN
4. Rob Boespflug - USA

Men’s Right 136-150 lbs
1. Randy Boespflug - USA
2. Edell Young - USA
3. David Matthews - CAN
4. David Kwiatkowski - USA

Men’s Right 151-165 lbs
1. Clyde Young - USA
2. Brian Skakum - CAN
3. Steve Crikson - CAN
4. Arnold Roberts - CAN

Men’s Right 166-180 lbs
1. Jerry Nelson - USA
2. Allen Barker - CAN
3. Gary Stain - USA
4. Fred Roy - CAN

Men’s Right 181-200 lbs
1. John Brzenk - USA
2. Jerry Nelson - USA
3. Ed Womack - USA
4. Ian Leslie - CAN

Men’s Right 201+ lbs
1. John Brzenk - USA
2. Roe Morris - USA
3. Mike Kadar - CAN
4. Gary Stain - USA

Women’s Right 0-135 lbs
1. Lee- Ann Barker - CAN
2. Karol Kelly - CAN
3. Sundae Hansen - CAN
4. Marianne Peters - CAN

Women’s Right 136+ lbs
1. Flo Obniawka - CAN
2. Lee-Ann Barker - CAN
3. Sundae Hansen - CAN
4. Kathi Weiman - CAN

Men’s Left 0-150 lbs
1. David Matthews - CAN
2. Rob Boespflug - USA
3. Randy Boespflug - USA
4. Edell Young - USA

Men’s Left 151-180 lbs
1. Allen Barker - CAN
2. Gary Stain - USA
3. Clyde Young - USA
4. Fred Roy - CAN

Men’s Left 181+ lbs
1. John Brzenk - USA
2. Ian Leslie - CAN
3. Ron Prebushusky - CAN
4. Mike Kadar - CAN

Pro Division Champs – Team Canada

Tournament Director - Allen Barker

1987 Can-Am Arm Wrestling Championships (Reno)
Sands Regent Hotel, Reno, NV - January 10, 1987

Men's Lightweight (0-150 lbs)
1. Dave Patton - USA
2. Ed Levitt - USA
3. Dave Areia - USA
4. Allen Crowder - USA

Men's Middleweight (151-175 lbs)
1. Dave Patton - USA
2. Jerry Nelson - USA
3. Terry King - USA
4. Clyde Young - USA

Men's Light Heavyweight (176-205 lbs)
1. John Brzenk - USA
2. Johnny Walker - USA
3. Steve Baillargeon - USA
4. Ben Evans - USA

Men's Heavyweight (206+ lbs)
1. John Brzenk - USA
2. Johnny Walker - USA
3. Rick Vardell - USA
4. Dale Hawkins - USA

Women's Right 0-135 lbs
1. Lori Cole - USA
2. Mandy Macaluso - USA
3. Kathy Dudley - USA
4. Julie Stanley - USA

Women's Right 136+ lbs
1. Nora Huffman - USA
2. Denise DeRenzy - USA
3. Mandy Macaluso - USA
4. Lois Donnon - USA

Team Champion – USA

Tournament Director - Bob Howell

1987 Can-Am Arm Wrestling Championships (Nanaimo)
May 8-9, 1987 – Nanaimo, BC

PRO CLASSES

Men’s Right 0-135 lbs
1. Gerry Beaudry - CAN
2. John Brooks - CAN
3. Jeff Churchill - CAN
4. Steve Thrower - CAN

Men’s Right 136-150 lbs
1. Paul Cecchini - CAN
2. Gerry Beaudry - CAN
3. Randy Boespflug - USA
4. Don Ronning - CAN

Men’s Right 151-165 lbs
1. Jerry Nelson - USA
2. Brian Skakum - CAN
3. Randy Boespflug - USA
4. Check Holmes - CAN

Men’s Right 166-180 lbs
1. Jerry Nelson - USA
2. Todd Whitney - USA
3. Bernie Walker - CAN
4. Clyde Young - USA

Men’s Right 181-200 lbs
1. Doug Rue - CAN
2. Jerry Nelson - USA
3. Rick McLean - CAN
4. Tony Hickey - CAN

Men’s Right 201+ lbs
1. Mark Shannon - CAN
2. Mike Kadar - CAN
3. Jerry Nelson - USA
4. Ian Leslie - CAN

Women’s Right 0-135 lbs
1. Brenda Vergette - CAN
2. Melva White - CAN
3. Ingrid Saunders - CAN
4. Laura Stonehocker - CAN

Women’s Right 136+ lbs
1. Nora Huffman - USA
2. Rebecca Rhofen - USA
3. Lee Ann Barker - CAN
4. Kathy French - USA

Men’s Left 0-150 lbs
1. Robert Boespflug - USA
2. Gerry Beaudry - CAN
3. Randy Boespflug - USA
4. Dennie Cormier - CAN

Men’s Left 151-180 lbs
1. Clyde Young - USA
2. Greg Topola - CAN
3. Andy Elliott - CAN
4. Tony Kokol - CAN

Men’s Left 181+ lbs
1. Ian Leslie - CAN
2. Mike Kadar - CAN
3. Les Spooner - CAN
4. Doug Rue - CAN

Pro Division Champs – Team Canada

Tournament Director - Allen Barker

1988 Can-Am Arm Wrestling Championships
May 20-21, 1988 – Nanaimo, BC

PRO CLASSES

Men’s Right 0-135 lbs
1. Gerry Beaudry - CAN

Men’s Right 136-150 lbs
1. Dave Hicks - CAN

Men’s Right 151-165 lbs
1. Allen Barker - CAN

Men’s Right 166-180 lbs
1. Greg Topola - CAN

Men’s Right 181-200 lbs
1. Mike Kadar - CAN

Men’s Right 201+ lbs
1. Gary Goodridge - CAN

Women’s Right 0-135 lbs
1. Lee-Ann Barker - CAN

Women’s Right 136-165 lbs
1. Lee-Ann Barker - CAN

Women’s Right 166+ lbs
1. Flo Obniawka - CAN

Men’s Left 0-150 lbs
1. Dave Hicks - CAN

Men’s Left 151-165 lbs
1. Clyde Young - USA

Men’s Left 166-180 lbs
1. Harvey Poetker - CAN

Men’s Left 181-200 lbs
1. Ed Womack - USA

Men’s Left 201+ lbs
1. Brad Hunker - CAN

Pro Division Champs – Team Canada

Tournament Director - John Miazdzyk

1989 Can/Am Arm Wrestling Championships
May 19-20, 1989 – Nanaimo, BC

PRO CLASSES

Men’s Right 0-135 lbs
1. Dave Jones - CAN
2. John Wallesch - CAN
3. Garry Bridger - CAN
4. Sam Davies - USA

Men’s Right 136-150 lbs
1. Dave Hicks - CAN
2. Vern Martel - CAN
3. Rob Boespflug - USA
4. Gerry Beaudry - CAN

Men’s Right 151-165 lbs
1. Bernie Lemay - CAN
2. Randy Boespflug - USA
3. Clyde Young - USA
4. Brian Skakum - CAN

Men’s Right 166-180 lbs
1. Jerry Nelson - USA
2. Sheldon Leitch - CAN
3. Allen Barker - CAN
4. Shawn King - USA

Men’s Right 181-200 lbs
1. John Brzenk - USA
2. Jerry Nelson - USA
3. Ian Leslie - CAN
4. Daryl Bochek - CAN

Men’s Right 201+ lbs
1. John Brzenk - USA
2. George Gottschalk - CAN
3. Jerry Nelson - USA
4. Kevin Chernenkoff - CAN

Women’s Right 0-135 lbs
1. Shirley Isaac - CAN
2. Collette Damgaard - CAN
3. Louise Mantyka - CAN
4. Ingrid Saunders - CAN

Women’s Right 136+ lbs
1. Shirley Isaac - CAN
2. Angie Fankhauser - CAN
3. Laura Edgson - CAN
4. Louise Mantyka - CAN

Men’s Left 0-150 lbs
1. Dave Hicks - CAN
2. Gerry Beaudry - CAN
3. Jeff Leonards - USA
4. Rob Boespflug - USA

Men’s Left 151-180 lbs
1. Greg Topola - CAN
2. Kevin Kelly - CAN
3. Clyde Young - USA
4. Brian Visscher - CAN

Men’s Left 181+ lbs
1. Brad Hunker - CAN
2. John Brzenk - USA
3. Ian Leslie - CAN
4. Greg Topola - CAN

Pro Division Champs – Team Canada

Tournament Director - John Miazdzyk

1991 Can/Am Arm Wrestling Championships
May 17-18, 1991 – North Vancouver, BC

PRO CLASSES

Men’s Right 0-135 lbs
1. Dave Jones - CAN
2. Tom Edgar - USA
3. Ken Cotton - USA
4. John Wallesch - CAN

Men’s Right 136-150 lbs
1. Gerry Beaudry - CAN
2. Guy Dummonceaus - CAN
3. Vince Sadoway - CAN
4. Troy Withey – CAN

Men’s Right 151-165 lbs
1. Karl Wiggins - CAN
2. Patrick Faast - USA
3. Joe Ritcey - CAN
4. Stan Skuse - CAN

Men’s Right 166-180 lbs
1. Al Bown - USA
2. Jerry Nelson - USA
3. Shawn King - USA
4. Karl Wiggins - CAN

Men’s Right 181-200 lbs
1. Tony Senger - CAN
2. Rick Yearout - USA
3. Mike Driscoll - USA
4. Orville Moorehouse - CAN

Men’s Right 201+ lbs
1. Tony Senger - CAN
2. Jerry Nelson - USA
3. Kevin Chernenkoff - CAN
4. Robert Reed - USA

Women’s Right 0-135 lbs
1. Tammy Biggs - USA
2. Sue McCoskey - USA
3. Shannon Beard - CAN

Women’s Right 136-165 lbs
1. Angie Fankhauser - CAN
2. Laura Edgson - CAN
3. Cari Chudyk - CAN

Women’s Right 166+ lbs
1. Nora Huffman - USA
2. Judy Alliott - CAN

Men’s Left 0-135 lbs
1. Dave Jones - CAN
2. Ken Cotton - USA
3. John Wallesch - CAN

Men’s Left 136-150 lbs
1. Darrell Belyk - CAN
2. Guy Dummonceaus - CAN

Men’s Left 151-180 lbs
1. Al Bown - USA
2. Jerry Nelson - USA
3. Stan Skuse - CAN
4. Darrell Belyk - CAN

Men’s Left 181+ lbs
1. Tony Senger - CAN
2. Don Boespflug - USA
3. Rick Yearout - USA
4. Kevin Chernenkoff - CAN

Pro Division Champs – Team Canada

Tournament Director - Cathy Morrison