World's best arm wrestler: Top 15 arm wrestlers in the world ranked

World's best arm wrestler: Top 15 arm wrestlers in the world ranked

Jackline Wangare, Peris Walubengo, Grace Waruguru
updated at April 15, 2024 at 12:50 PM

The world's best arm wrestlers possess exceptional arm strength and endurance. Most dedicated themselves to exercises that enhance biceps, forearm, and grip strength. These athletes have won multiple major competitions and titles by utilizing many different moves and styles during arm wrestling.

World's best arm wrestler
Photo: Canva.com (modified by author)
Source: Original

Table of Сontents:

The list of the best world's best arm wrestlers highlights some of the most renowned names in arm wrestling. These athletes have achieved immense success through their victories in major championships and exceptional technical skill. They are also regarded as the strongest.

What is arm wrestling?

Arm wrestling, also known as pulling, is a psychological sport that combines strength, practice, and skills. Pinning the opponent's hand on the table touchpad is the ultimate goal. The press is one of the best power moves in arm wrestling, and having a bulky upper body helps with this.

Who are the world's best arm wrestlers?

There are many good arm wrestlers competing in different championships. Below are the top 15 world's best arm wrestlers in 2024:

No

Name

1

John Brzenk

2

Denis Cyplenkov

3

Cleve Dean

4

Devon Larratt

5

Travis Bagent

6

Andriy Pushkar

7

Dave Chafee

8

Alexey Voyevoda

9

Levan Saginashvili

10

Vitaly Laletin

11

Todd Hutchings

12

Ermes Gasparini

13

Dmitry Silaev

14

Kamil Jablonski

15

Yordan Tsonev

The 15 world's best arm wrestlers

Arm wrestlers employ the backpressure technique by pulling the opponent's arm toward themselves. They also place one foot more forward than the other for more stability and wrap the thumb onto the rest of the fingers when holding an opponent's arm to achieve a firm grip. Below is the world arm wrestling champions list. These players have mastered most of the best techniques anyone can use to win this game.

15. Yordan Tsonev

Bulgarian arm wrestler Yordan Tsonev in white and grey attire
Bulgarian arm wrestler Yordan Tsonev in white and grey attire. Photo: @yordantsonevv (modified by author)
Source: UGC
  • Full name: Yordan Tsonev
  • Year of birth: 1996
  • Age: 28 years (as of 2024)
  • Nationality: Bulgarian
  • Weight: 105 kg (232 lbs.)
  • Height: 6' 3” (1.91 m)
  • Instagram: @yordantsonevv

Bulgarian arm wrestler Yordan Tsonev is a two-time World Arm Wrestling Champion and a three-time European Arm Wrestling Champion. Fans have nicknamed him "Dancho," a slang Japanese term that means "ringleader."

14. Kamil Jablonski

Polish arm wrestlerKamil Jablonski in blue and red T-shirts.
Polish arm wrestlerKamil Jablonski. Photo: @Kamil.Jablonski (modified by author)
Source: UGC
  • Full name: Kamil Jablonski
  • Year of birth: 1988
  • Age: 36 years (as of 2024)
  • Nationality: Polish
  • Weight: 105 kg (231 lbs.)
  • Height: 6' 3” (1.91 m)
  • Instagram: @kamil_jablonski_golden_dragon

Polish arm wrestler Kamil Jablonski won the IFA Arm Wrestling World Champion 2022. He has been training for over 20 years. Besides arm wrestling, Kamil Jablonski is a YouTube content creator. He also shared his content on his Instagram page.

13. Dmitry Silaev

Russian arm wrestler Dmitry Silaev sited at a table and standing new a black car
Russian arm wrestler Dmitry Silaev sited at a table and standing new a black car. Photo: @d_silaev (modified by author)
Source: UGC
  • Full name: Dmitry Bear Silaev
  • Year of birth: 1994
  • Age: 30 years (as of 2024)
  • Nationality: Russian
  • Weight: 105 kg (231 lbs.)
  • Height: 6'0" (185 cm)

Fans know Dmitry Silaev as the "Siberian bear." He is a five-time Russian Champion winner and a two-time Zloty Tur World Cup winner. Additionally, the iconic wrestler won the World Championship and the "AMC promotion" World Championship once.

12. Ermes Gasparini

Italian arm wrestler Ermes Gasparini in black attire
Italian arm wrestler Ermes Gasparini. Photo: @ermes.gasparini (modified by author)
Source: UGC
  • Full name: Ermes Gasparini
  • Year of birth: 30 May 1966
  • Age: 57 years (as of 2024)
  • Nationality: Italian
  • Weight: 107 kg (235 lbs.)
  • Height: 6’2” (1.88 m)
  • Instagram: @ermes.gasparini

Gasparini is a multi-time European Champion and a 4-time World Champion. Fans fondly call him "The Gladiator.' Ermes Gasparini has earned a cult following because of his impressive performances and dominant heavyweight wins, which are twice his weight.

11. Todd Hutchings

American arm wrestler Todd Hutchings in red attire
American arm wrestler Todd Hutchings. Photo: @pal.armwrestling (modified by author)
Source: UGC
  • Full name: Todd Hutchings
  • Year of birth: 30 May 1966
  • Age: 57 years (as of 2024)
  • Nationality: American
  • Weight: 100 kg (221 lbs.)
  • Height: 5' 10” (1.80 m)
  • Instagram: @todd.zilla.14

Todd Hutchings is known as the “Endurance King.” He got into the sport in his early twenties while working as a bouncer and started arm wrestling as a professional at 35. Todd Hutchings won the 2019 World Arm Wrestling Championship. Despite working full-time as a corrections officer, he continued to train and compete at a high level, eventually becoming one of the greatest arm wrestlers in the US.

10. Vitaly Laletin

Russian arm wrestler Vitaly Laletin wearing black and yellow T-shirts.
Russian arm wrestler Vitaly Laletin. Photo: @vitalik_laletin (modified by author)
Source: UGC
  • Full name: Vitaly Laletin
  • Year of birth: 1989
  • Age: 35 years (as of 2024)
  • Nationality: Russian
  • Weight: 137 kg (302 lbs.)
  • Height: 6' 8” (2.04 m)
  • Instagram: @vitalik_laletin

Russian arm wrestler Vitaly Laletin is among the top 10 arm wrestlers in the world. He has participated in several strongman competitions, including King of the Table 5 and the AMC Arm Wrestling Tournament. In 2018, Laletin became one of the top eight arm wrestling champions, even though he lost to Levan Saginashvili.

9. Levan Saginashvili

eorgian arm wrestler Levan Saginashvili wearing black and white T-shirts
Georgian arm wrestler Levan Saginashvili. Photo: @levansaginashvili (modified by author)
Source: UGC
  • Full name: Levan Saginashvili
  • Year of birth: 15 September 1988
  • Age: 35 years (as of 2024)
  • Nationality: Georgian
  • Weight: 178 kg (392 lbs.)
  • Height: 6' 3" (1.92 m)
  • Instagram: @levansaginashvili

Fans call Saginashvili the ''Georgian Hulk'' because of his intimidating body size. He is a six-time European Arm Wrestling Champion and the 2023 World Arm Wrestling Champion. Additionally, Levan Saginashvili won the World Cup in 2017 and the Top 8 in 2019.

8. Alexey Voyevoda

Russian arm wrestler Alexey Voyevoda
Russian arm wrestler Alexey Voyevoda. Photo: @alexeyvoevoda (modified by author)
Source: Depositphotos
  • Full name: Alexey Ivanovich Voyevoda
  • Year of birth: 9 May 1980
  • Age: 43 years (as of 2024)
  • Nationality: Russian
  • Weight: 120 kg (265 lbs.)
  • Height: 6' 5" (1.95 m)
  • Instagram: @alexeyvoevoda

Alexey is a Russian professional arm wrestler, politician, and bobsledder. He is one of the world's best arm wrestlers ever, having gained popularity in the early 2000s. Alexey Voyevoda is a 10-time World Arm Wrestling champion who appeared in the documentary Pulling John after his famous win against John Brzenk at the 2004 Zloty Tour.

7. Dave Chafee

American arm wrestler Dave Chafee looking happy
American arm wrestler Dave Chafee. Photo: @dave_chaffee (modified by author)
Source: UGC
  • Full name: Dave Chafee
  • Year of birth: January 1977
  • Age: 47 years (as of 2024)
  • Nationality: American
  • Weight: 124.85 kg (275 lbs.)
  • Height: 6’2” ( 1.88 m)
  • Instagram: @dave_chaffee

Fans know American arm wrestler Dave Chafee as ''Easy Money.'' He started arm wrestling in 2006 and has suffered several injuries throughout his career, including a broken arm. In 2015, Chafee won the Super Heavyweight Southern Regionals and Championships, while In 2016, he came first at the WAL Northern Regionals and second at the Championships.

6. Andriy Pushkar

Ukrainian arm wrestler Andriy Pushkar shows off his arms
Ukrainian arm wrestler Andriy Pushkar shows off his arms and medals. Photo: @pushkarandriy (modified by author)
Source: UGC
  • Full name: Andriy Pushkar
  • Year of birth: 6 August 1985
  • Died: 14 November 2018
  • Age: 33 years (at death)
  • Nationality: Ukrainian
  • Weight: 125 kg (276 lbs. )
  • Height: 6' 4″ (1.92 m)
  • Instagram: @pushkarandriy

Andriy Pushkar was a Ukrainian bodybuilder, trainer, and arm wrestler. He won his first championship medal in 2003. Even in death, the athlete is considered one of the world's greatest arm wrestlers. He was the 14th World Armwrestling Champion,
16th European Championship in Arms, and the 8th time winner of the absolute World Cup. Andriy Pushkar died in November 2018 in a car crash with the father of fellow wrestler Oleg Zhokh.

5. Travis Bagent

American arm wrestler Travis Bagent
American arm wrestler Travis Bagent. Photo: @ChicagoBearsHistorical,@ScreenCrush (modified by author)
Source: UGC
  • Full name: Travis Bagent
  • Year of birth: 10 March 1976
  • Age: 48 years (as of 2024)
  • Nationality: American
  • Weight: 102.1kgs (265 lbs.)
  • Height: 6' 3” (1.92 m)

Legend Travis Bagent is undoubtedly the best left-handed arm wrestler in the world. He started pulling professionally at 15 but lost all competitions at the beginning of his career. However, things took a turn in 2000, and Bagent now has approximately 35 national titles, five AAA nationals, one Mike Gould Classic (2006), and 17 World Champion titles. Besides arm wrestling, he is also a trainer and announcer at CrossFit.

4. Devon Larratt

Canadian arm wrestler Devon Larratt wears a black belt and gloves
Canadian arm wrestler Devon Larratt wears a black belt and gloves. Photo: @devlarratt (modified by author)
Source: UGC
  • Full name: Devon Larratt
  • Date of birth: 24 April 1975
  • Age: 49 years (as of 2024)
  • Nationality: Canadian
  • Weight: 102 kg (225 lbs.)
  • Height: 6’5” (1.95 m)
  • Instagram: @devlarratt

Devon is a former Canadian Armed Forces member and among the famous arm wrestlers. The renowned athlete is ranked the No. 1 arm wrestler in North America and doubles as a YouTube content creator. His first international competition was in 1999. Devon Larratt has several titles today, including the 2008 Arm Wars Super Series and the World Arm Wrestling League (AWL) in 2016.

3. Cleve Dean

American arm wrestler legend Cleve Dean
American arm wrestler legend Cleve Dean. Photo: @thearmwrestlingarchives (modified by author)
Source: UGC
  • Full name: Cleve Dean
  • Year of birth: 15 December 1953
  • Died: 10 May 2011
  • Age: 58 years (at death)
  • Nationality: American
  • Weight: 210 kg (463 lbs.)
  • Height: 6' 7" (2.01 m)

Cleve dominated the arm wrestling field in the 80s. He reigned as the World Champion Arm Wrestler for ten consecutive years. Fans believed that his strength came from raising hogs as a child. Cleve Dean had a larger-than-life personality, and his achievements inspired many in the arm wrestling world.

2. Denis Cyplenkov

Ukrainian arm wrestler Denis Cyplenkov shows off his arms
Ukrainian arm wrestler Denis Cyplenkov shows off his arms. Photo: @cyplenkovofficial (modified by author)
Source: UGC
  • Full name: Denis Cyplenkov
  • Year of birth: 10 March 1982
  • Age: 42 years (as of 2024)
  • Nationality: Ukrainian
  • Weight: 144kgs
  • Height: 6' 1" (1.86 m)
  • Instagram: @cyplenkovden

Denis is a Russian-Ukrainian bodybuilder, arm wrestler, and strongman champion. He won the left-hand tournaments at the World Cup (Zloty Tur) in 2008 and 2009. In 2011, Denis Cyplenkov won the Nemiroff World Cup. The athlete is the perfect triad of skill, strength, and endurance. He is regarded as on of the world's best arm wrestler of all time.

1. John Brzenk

American arm wrestler John Brzenk
American arm wrestler John Brzenk. Photo: @johnbrzenk_ (modified by author)
Source: UGC
  • Full name: John R. Brzenk
  • Year of birth: 15 July 1964
  • Age: 60 years (as of 2024)
  • Nationality: American
  • Weight: 104 kg (229 lbs.)
  • Height: 5' 11” (1.81 m)
  • Instagram: @johnbrzenk_

The Guinness Book of Records named John Brzenk the Greatest Arm Wrestler of All Time. He was introduced to the sport by his father. Brzenk participated in his first tournament at 16 and earned his first world title, the ABC Wide World of Sports, in 1982. The now-retired arm wrestler boasts impressive titles, including the Harley Pull Titles and Over the Top World Championships. Unknown to many, Brzenk has only lost one super-match throughout his career.

Is Schoolboy the best arm wrestler in the world?

best arm wrestler
Russian arm wrestler Aleksandr Beziazykov (alias Schoolboy) pictured outdoors in black attire and glasses. Photo: @aleksandr_toproll (modified by author)
Source: UGC

Russian arm wrestler Aleksandr Beziazykov (alias Schoolboy) is among the world's best young arm wrestlers. He weighs around 116 kg (256 lbs.) and is 6' 4" (1.95 m) tall. Born on 22 July 2000, the young athlete is already causing ripples in the industry, earning him the nickname 'Mutant' in some quarters.

Aleksandr began training arm wrestling at age 13 to compete with his older brother, Alex Toproll. He was called a "mutant" because of his incredible victories in fights with large and adult rivals at a young age. World fame and the nickname "Schoolboy" came in 2018, when he appeared on the ARMWRESTLING TV YouTube channel in a video titled, Who will beat the Schoolboy? Legendary arm wrestlers like Devon Larratt and Toddzilla responded to his challenge.

Who is the best arm wrestler in history?

Some of the best arm wrestlers are John Brzenk, Denis Cyplenkov, Devon Larratt, Travis Bagent, Dave Chafee, Alexey Voyevoda, Levan Saginashvili, Vitaly Laletin and Todd Hutchings.

Who is the No 1 arm wrestler in the world?

The Guinness Book of Records mentioned John Brzenk as the Greatest Arm Wrestler of All Time. He is regarded as the world no 1 arm wrestler in 2024. The American arm wrestler has only lost one super-match throughout his career.

Who has the strongest grip in arm wrestling?

Devon Larratt is one of the world's best arm wrestlers because of his firm grip. The wrestler is classified within the outside style of arm wrestling. The pronation of the hand and forearm enables him to apply enough pressure on the opponent's arm through his fingers.

Who is the arm wrestler with the deformed arm?

Arm wrestler Matthias "Popeye" Schlitte has a normal-sized left arm, but his right arm, which is 46 cm around his forearm, is deformed. He was 16 when he discovered he could not use his right arm.

Who has the world record for arm wrestling?

American arm wrestler Allen Fisher, also known as "Mr. Intensity," is considered the best arm wrestler ever. He is a 26-time world champion.

Who is the strongest arm wrestling champion?

Levan Saginashvili is considered the #1 right-handed arm wrestler today and one of the strongest arm wrestlers in history.

Who has beaten Devon Larratt?

Devon Larratt has been defeated by a few competitors throughout his arm wrestling career, most notably with Levan Saginashvili, John Brzenk, Denis Cyplenkov and Michael Todd.

The world's best arm wrestlers have won several major titles. Their strength, skills, and brilliance have earned them recognition and accolades in this highly decorated profession.

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Tall people have more bone mass but are slightly weaker than shorter people in the same weight class. Big Cass, who is 6' 10", and Big Show, who is 7' 2", can easily lose a game to John Cena, who is 6' 1." Find tall WWE stars at the top of the game in the article.

Authors
Jackline Wangare photo
Jackline Wangare
Jackline Simwa is a content writer at Sports Brief covering sports and lifestyle topics. Previously, she worked at The Campanile by Kenyatta University and as a Content Creator (Briefly.co.za, Legit.ng, Tuko.co.ke, Yen.com.gh).
Peris Walubengo photo
Peris Walubengo
Peris Walubengo is a content creator with 4 years of experience in writing informational and entertainment articles, researching, editing, and proofreading.
Grace Waruguru photo
Grace Waruguru
Grace has over 4 years of experience in article writing and digital media content creation for various local and global brands. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Communication (Public Relations) from Daystar University, Kenya.