Champion arm wrestlers Arturs Dorohoff (left), winner of two categories, and Suttiwas Kohsamut (right), winner of the under 75kg event, face off in an exhibition bout during the 10th Pattaya International Arm Wrestling Championships held at the Royal Garden Plaza last weekend. 80 strong men from around the world competed for cash and trophies so big, only the strongest arms could carry them home.
Latvian retains two titles at Pattaya arm wars championship
The 10th Pattaya International Arm Wrestling Championship turned into a repeat of last year’s competition, with Latvia’s Arturs Dorohous and Thailand’s Suthiwas Kohsamut winning the top prizes on offer.
The 38-year-old Dorohous bested Sergy Kardash, 26, from Russia in the 75-85kg class and another Russian competitor, Roman Abranov age 35, in the 85kg and up class during the internationally sanctioned meet at Royal Garden Plaza Sept. 14.
Champion arm wrestlers Arturs Dorohoff (left), winner of two categories, and Suttiwas Kohsamut (right), winner of the under 75kg event, face off in an exhibition bout during the 10th Pattaya International Arm Wrestling Championships held at the Royal Garden Plaza last weekend. 80 strong men from around the world competed for cash and trophies so big, only the strongest arms could carry them home.
The match attracted more than 80 participants, down from 100 last year, from China, Russia, Malaysia and elsewhere. All were vying for 250,000 baht in prizes and the “Steel Wrist King” award.
The contest adhered to international rules set by the Thailand Arm Wrestling Association. Wrestlers competed in three divisions with the winner of each taking home 50,000 baht and prizes from Ripley’s Believe It or Not!, and the Fairtex Sports Complex. Second-place finishers each won 15,000 baht.
Competitors, officials, sponsors and local dignitaries line up for a photo prior to the start of this year’s tournament.
Defending champion Suthiwas, 22, prevailed over Malaysia’s Mohamad Hizar in the under 75kg class to retain the title he won last year.
Royal Garden manager Somporn Naksuetrong noted that the competition has grown steadily over the years and the winners have moved onto the international stage.
Arturs Dorohous of Latvia (left) and Thailand’s Suthiwas Kohsamut pose with the champions’ trophies at the conclusion of the 10th Pattaya International Arm Wrestling Championship at the Royal Garden Plaza, Saturday, Sept. 14.
Audience members at the event also enjoyed a show from bodybuilders Tak Pharanyu and Top Chaiwat, who flexed and tested their own wrist strength in competition. Somehow, Pattaya’s Deputy Mayor Ronakit Ekasing managed a draw with the burly Tak.
Arturs Dorohous (right) faces off against Russian giant Roman Abranov in the heavyweight final.
Pattaya Deputy Mayor Ronakit Ekasing (right) chances his arm against Tak Pharanyu.
