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  • About
  • Home
  • History
    • Development of the Organized Sport >
      • Armwrestling Eras >
        • The Beginnings
        • The Golden Age
      • The Beginnings
    • Event Histories >
      • World's Wristwrestling Championship - Part 1: 1954-1961
      • World's Wristwrestling Championship - Part 2: 1962-1969
      • International Federation of Arm Wrestlers
      • World Armwrestling Federation (WAF)
      • Carling O'Keefe World Championships
      • World Professional Armwrestling Association
      • Arm Wrestling International
      • World Police and Fire Games
      • World Super Heavyweight Arm Wrestling Championship
      • Over the Top World Championship
      • Yukon Jack Arm Wrestling Championships
      • North American Armwrestling Championships (Amos)
      • Power Armwrestling
      • Monster Arm Wrestling
      • World National Wristwrestling Association
      • Can-Am Armwrestling Championships
      • Armwrestling Capital of the Midwest
      • World Arm Wrestling Council
    • Early Origins of Armwrestling
    • Armwrestling Matches in the Cradle of Strongmen
    • The Ancient Hawaiian Sport of Uma
    • Armwrestling Firsts
    • Inaugural State Championships
    • Biggest Prize Money Tournaments By Year
    • How Organized Armwrestling Was Introduced to Eastern Europe
    • Top 10 Las Vegas Tournaments of All Time
    • Canada's Toughest Tournaments
    • The Stories behind the Matches >
      • Armwrestling’s First Supermatch
      • John Brzenk vs. "John Doe"
      • Dean vs. Mason
      • The Biggest Supermatch of All Time
      • The John Brzenk Challenge
      • The Champion Armwrestler vs. the Champion Powerlifter
    • This Day in Armwrestling History >
      • This Day in Armwrestling History - April Dates
      • This Day in Armwrestling History - May Dates
      • This Day in Armwrestling History - June Dates
      • This Day in Armwrestling History - July Dates
  • Top Pullers
    • History's Most Successful Armwrestler
    • Champion Armwrestlers of Yore
    • All-Time Top Male Puller from Each State
    • All-Time Top Female Puller from Each State
    • All-Time Top Male Puller from Each Province
    • All-Time Top Female Puller from Each Province
    • Best Pullers by Year
    • Best Pullers by Year of Birth
    • Historical Rankings >
      • Chronology of the Best Armwrestlers on the Planet (Men - Right Hand)
      • Chronology of the Best Armwrestlers on the Planet (Men - Left Hand)
      • Chronology of the Best Armwrestlers on the Planet (Women - Right Hand)
      • Chronology of the Best Armwrestlers on the Planet (Women - Left Hand)
    • Top 10 Pullers of the 1960s
    • Top 25 Pullers of the 1970s (Men)
    • Top 25 Pullers of the 1980s (Men)
    • Top 30 Pullers of the 1990s (Men)
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    • Top 30 Pullers of the 2010s (Men)
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    • Top 15 Pullers of the 1980s (Women)
    • Top 15 Pullers of the 1990s (Women)
    • Top 15 Pullers of the 2000s (Women)
    • Top 15 Pullers of the 2010s (Women)
    • Armwrestling's Best Generation?
    • Pullers Who Perfectly Peaked
    • Record Win Streaks
  • Event Results
    • Results from the Early Days >
      • IFAW Results (1966-1969)
      • USA Results (1969)
      • WWC Results (1955-1969)
    • Golden Age Results >
      • AAA Sit-Down Nationals Results (1978-1979)
      • AAA Stand-Up Nationals Results (1978-1979)
      • AWI Results (1978-1979)
      • Carling O'Keefe Worlds Results (1971-1979)
      • IFAW Results (1970)
      • NAWA Results (1977-1979)
      • WAWF World Results (1971-1979)
      • WPAA Results (1974-1979)
      • WWC Nationals Results (1974-1979)
      • WWC World Results (1970-1979)
      • Various US Nationals (1970-1979)
    • Silver Age Results >
      • AAA Sit-Down Nationals Results (1980-1989)
      • AAA Stand-Up Nationals Results (1980-1989)
      • AWI Results (1980-1989)
      • Carling O'Keefe Worlds Results (1980-1982)
      • Carling O'Keefe IAC Results (1989)
      • IWC Results (1980-1982)
      • NAWA Results (1980-1989)
      • Over the Top Results (1986)
      • Sands International Armwrestling Results (1980-1989)
      • WAWF World Results (1980-1989)
      • WPAA Results (1980-1989)
      • WPWA Results (1980-1981)
      • WWC Results (1980-1989)
      • Yukon Jack Results (1988-1989)
    • Bronze Age Results >
      • AAA Sit-Down Nationals Results (1990-1993)
      • AAA Stand-Up Nationals Results (1990-1999)
      • Arnold Classic Results (1998-1999)
      • AWI Results (1990-1999)
      • EAF European Championships Results (1991-1999)
      • Forsa Tropical Results (1998)
      • Golden Bear Results (1990-1999)
      • Main Event Results (1997-1998)
      • Reno Reunion Results (1999)
      • Super Bras-de-fer Results (1991)
      • USAA National Pro-Am Results (1995-1999)
      • USAF Unified Nationals Results (1998-1999)
      • WAF World Results (1990-1999)
      • WPAA Results (1990-1997)
      • WWC Results (1990-1999)
      • Yukon Jack Results (1990-1997)
    • Copper Age Results >
      • AAA Nationals Results (2000-2009)
      • All-Niagara Armwrestling Championships Results (2002)
      • Arm Wars Super Series Results (2008-2009)
      • Arnold Classic Results (2000-2009)
      • AWI Results (2000-2001)
      • Big Arm Classic Results (2004)
      • California State/West Coast Pro-Am Armwrestling Championship (2003-2006)
      • EAF European Championships Results (2000-2009)
      • GNC Results (2001-2004)
      • Harley Pull Results (2000-2009)
      • IAF Can-Am Championships Results (2000-2009)
      • Mike Gould Classic Results (2000-2009)
      • NAL Results (2006-2007)
      • Northeastern Armwrestling Challenge Results (2005-2009)
      • NYC Big Apple Grapple Results (2000-2009)
      • PAC World Championship Results (2005-2007)
      • PAL Results (2004-2009)
      • Reno Reunion Results (2000-2007)
      • Ruler of the Nation Results (2007-2009)
      • Sturgis Rally Professional Armwrestling Championship
      • Superstar Showdown Results (2004-2005)
      • Tournament of Champions Results (2001)
      • Ultimate Armwrestling (Las Vegas) Results (2004-2006)
      • Ultimate Armwrestling Championship (UAC) Results (2009)
      • USAA National Pro-Am Results (2000-2009)
      • USAF Unified Nationals Results (2000-2009)
      • US Open Results (2003)
      • World Armsport Federation Results (2000-2005)
      • World Armwrestling Federation Results (2000-2009)
      • WWC Results (2000-2005)
      • World Challenge (2009)
      • Zloty Tur/Nemiroff Cup Results (2000-2009)
    • Renaissance Results >
      • A1 Russian Open Results (2012-2015)
      • AAA Nationals Results (2010-2018)
      • Arm Wars Super Series Results (2010-2016)
      • Arnold Classic Results (2010-2019)
      • EAF European Championships Results (2010-2019)
      • IFA Results (2019)
      • Mike Gould Classic Results (2010-2015)
      • Moldova Open Results (2018)
      • NYC Big Apple Grapple Results (2010-2019)
      • PAL Results (2010-2019)
      • UAL Results (2010-2016)
      • USAA National Pro-Am Results (2010-2019)
      • USAF Unified Nationals Results (2010-2019)
      • WAL Results (2014-2019)
      • WAF Results (2010-2019)
      • World Challenge (2010-2012)
      • Zloty Tur/Nemiroff Cup Results (2010-2019)
    • Contemporary Results >
      • AMC Results (2022-Present)
      • Arnold Classic Results (2022-Present)
      • EAF European Championships Results (2020-Present)
      • East vs. West Results (2021-Present)
      • IFA European Championships Results (2020-Present)
      • IFA US Nationals Results (2021-Present)
      • IFA Worlds Results (2020-Present)
      • King of the Table Results (2021-Present)
      • Mr. Olympia Power Armwrestling Results (2021)
      • Over the Top Down Under Results (2022)
      • PAL Results (2021-Present)
      • Total Armwrestling League Results (2020)
      • USAA International Pro-Am Results (2020-2023)
      • USAF Nationals Results (2022-Present)
      • WAF International Challenge Results (2021)
      • WAF World Championships Results (2020-Present)
  • YouTube
  • Miscellaneous
    • Dave Devoto Memoirs
    • Armwrestling Amusement Devices
    • Armwrestling Matches in Professional Wrestling
    • 1975 NFLPA Arm Wrestling Championship
    • 1975 Esquire Gala Celebrity Tournament
    • A Legendary Tale
    • The Origin of the Wheelbarrow Contest
    • Legendary Powerlifters Who Could Also Pull
    • 1981: A Good Year!
    • The Bill Soberanes Wristwrestling Statue
  • About
THE ARMWRESTLING ARCHIVES

The John Brzenk Challenge



One of the most impressive displays of armwrestling dominance occurred on April 12th, 2003. The Arman Grading “John Brzenk Challenge” was held in conjunction with the California State Pro-Am Armwrestling Championship, hosted by John Burgeson Sr. and his team. The tournament itself was a big one, with over $13,000 in cash and prizes up for grabs. But the “John Brzenk Challenge” was what drew the most curiosity. John Brzenk would pull 102 matches in a row with his right arm, King-of-the-Table-style, and $1,500 was available to be won by the first person to defeat him.
 
Anyone interested in entering the John Brzenk Challenge was free to bid on any of the 102 spots via a silent auction process. The minimum bid for a spot was $10, but some sold for as much as $100. There were no eligibility restrictions – any puller from anywhere in the world was allowed to enter the competition (so long as they bid enough to secure a spot). The winning bids were announced just prior to the start of the challenge.
 
The challenge format made it very intriguing, as participants could try to employ a variety of strategies to secure a victory. Because only the first person to beat John would get the money, there was some incentive to not wait too long to face him. But there was also benefit of facing him later, as in theory, he would be more fatigued and easier to beat. Purchasing many spots throughout was an option, but it could become expensive. Teams could try to stack up their matches back-to-back in the hopes that one team member would win and the prize money could be split.
 
People of various levels of armwrestling experience and talent took part in the challenge, from first-timers to accomplished pullers like Travis Bagent, Don Underwood, Tom Nelson, and Kenny Hughes. Several world champions of the past also tried their luck, including Virgil Arciero, Ron Bennett, and John Woolsey. But one by one, match after match, they all fell to the mighty right arm of John Brzenk.
 
Below is the list of people who participated in the challenge in the order they faced John, along with the amount they paid for their spot.
1. John Burgeson Sr. - $100
2. Pat Arman - $100
3. Ken Greco - $100
4. John Burgeson Sr. - $100
5. Bob Shaffer Jr. - $30
6. Travis Bagent - $20
7. Kriss Keogh - $100
8. Ron Bennett - $20
9. Charles Murphy - $15
10. David Adams - $20
11. Charles Murphy - $15
12. David Miller - $15
13. Jeff Tackett - $10
14. Jeff Benson - $15
15. Don Underwood - $20
16. Bob Shaffer Sr. - $40
17. Virgil Arciero - $20
18. John Woolsey - $20
19. Lee Ecclesfield - $15
20. Don Underwood - $20
21. Scott Partington - $20
22. John Burgeson Sr. - $10
23. Don Underwood - $20
24. Don Fritcshe - $20
25. Britton Matthews - $20
26. Don Firtsche - $20
27. Joe Veres - $20
28. Scott Fleming - $25
29. Bob Shaffer Sr. - $30
30. Jon Land - $15
31. Eric Wolfe - $15
32. Scott Partington - $15
33. John Stanton - $15
34. Patrick Peters - $10
35. Bill Fitzpatrick - $10
36. Joe ? - $10
37. Lee Ecclesfield - $15
38. Joe ? - $10
39. Tom Nelson - $20
40. Mike McGraw - $20
41. Nate Goodman - $20
42. Kenny Hughes - $20
43. Dan Reynolds - $20
44. Kenny Hughes - $20
45. Johnny Burgeson - $10
46. Britton Matthews - $15
47. Steve Inzalaco - $15
48. Craig Greene - $15
49. Tom Nelson - $15
50. Simon Berriochoa - $20
51. Alan Tresser - $15
52. John Burgeson Sr. - $10
53. Marvin Cohen - $10
54. Allen Fisher - $15
55. Craig Greene - $15
56. Devin Bair - $15
57. Lee Ecclesfield - $15
58. Paul M. - $10
59. Bill Sekeros - $20
60. Tony Rasmussen - $20
61. Paul M. - $10
62. Devin Bair - $15
63. Paul M. - $10
64. Josh Vandeventer - $10
65. Eric Guevin - $10
66. Rick ? - $10
67. Ed Levitt - $15
68. Marvin Cohen - $10
69. Terry Shapiro - $15
70. Greg Curatola - $10
71. Dennis White - $10
72. Josh Vandeventer - $10
73. Manuel Cortez - $10
74. Paul Sanchez - $10
75. Johnny Burgeson - $10
76. Lyle Schmidtchen - $10
77. Lee Ecclesfield - $15
78. Tom Nelson - $15
79. Travis Bagent - $15
80. Travis Bagent - $15
81. Britton Matthews - $15
82. Lyle Schmidtchen - $10
83. Doug Berry - $15
84. Lyle Schmidtchen - $10
85. Lyle Schmidtchen - $10
86. Carlos Rojas - $10
87. Lee Ecclesfield – 15
88. Carlos Rojas - $10
89. Carlos Rojas - $10
90. Carlos Rojas - $10
91. Lisa Bright - $20
92. Steve Jeffryes - $10
93. Scott Fleming - $10
94. Sterling Miles - $10
95. Doug Berry - $10
96. Steve Harriman - $20
97. Paul Stevens - $10
98. Jake Burton - $15
99. Lee Ecclesfield - $15
100. Lee Ecclesfield - $15
101. Craig Greene - $100
102. Pat Arman - $100
​
​In all, a total of $2,135 was raised – all of which was donated to the Santa Clarita Boys & Girls Club. The Guinness Book of World Records had already recognized John Brzenk as the most successful puller in the history of the sport back in 1999. This performance provided further proof of his incredible skill.



Researched and Written by Eric Roussin
Copyright Eric Roussin and The Armwrestling Archives. Original content found on The Armwrestling Archives may not be reproduced without written consent.