Arm wrestling is a male-dominated sport. However, as the sport gained popularity among women, there has been an increase in female players all over the world. Sarawakian Tracey Hughes has been in the industry for many years and is constantly making the state proud with her accomplishments.
Arm wrestling is a sport of strength. Those who take part in it are said to be strong.
Women began to participate in what was once a male-dominated sport. In 1964, the first women’s arm-wrestling tournament was held.
Since then, the sport has grown in popularity around the world, with more female athletes joining in.
A trial of strength, a typical arm-wrestling tournament will feature contestants with their elbows bent and hands gripping one another.
The person who manages to pin the opponent’s arm down on the flat surface wins.
Although strength is important in arm wrestling, understanding the opponent’s movement and techniques can also help the athlete win.
The motive of the game, according to the sports platform Sportsmatik, is to test an individual’s strength.
“Arm wrestling requires a high level of skill as well as psychological tactics to be successful. It takes a combination of strength, practise, and skill to succeed,” it added.
Women arm wrestling
While women are common in arm wrestling around the world, it is still unusual to note that a woman can be stronger than a man in terms of strength.
Through this stereotype, Tracey Hughes, an arm wrestler, has encountered men who have tried to compete with her.
“Men who do not arm wrestle feel compelled to wrestle with me. Maybe it’s something about winning against a woman that makes them feel manly.”
Often being made a comparison between strength, the tenacious lass does not care what others think.
“When people see me as an arm wrestler, they immediately assume that I am strong, that I can lift heavy weights, and that our smacks can kill. But as long as I am successful in arm wrestling, I will continue to do what makes me happy.”
Since 2016, Tracey has been arm wrestling. Her friends’ advice inspired her to participate in the sport.
“I lost my first competition. But, because I’ve always enjoyed competing in sports since my school days, I persisted. I enjoy competing in tournaments. That moment on the table, that feeling of victory after working so hard, gives me the motivation to keep going.”
The 30-year-old revealed that the sport is more than just strength; it is also about technique, mental strength, and speed.
“Arm wrestling is not difficult to do, but it is difficult to learn. I was previously trained by a Penang arm wrestler. Dominic from Sabah is now my coach.”
Every day at the gym is arm day for the athlete.
“I would work on various parts of the arm. Among the trainings I’ll do are wrist and grip strength. The most important techniques are, of course, those that prevent injuries.”
Sharing further, the Bidayuh-Welsh descent said that the most difficult aspect of being an arm wrestler is making time for training.
“My job is full-time. Then I have to go to the gym for hours. In the end, I’ll be home late. Nonetheless, if I want to win, I must make sacrifices. Even on days when I don’t feel like working out, I’ll have to force myself to go to the gym. I overcome these challenges by telling myself that I am not going to lose and that I must win.”
The athlete also revealed that her workouts at the gym can last up to three hours or more.
“It involves heavy weight training and longer breaks. We arm wrestlers usually lift weights and do exercises to simulate how we fight on the table. This, of course, includes sparring.”
One strategy she employs to ensure victory is consistency in training.
“What matters is that you are not afraid to step outside of your comfort zone. Eating well and maintaining a positive mindset are also important.”
She also engages in arm wrestling with her drummer husband at home. She does not, however, go full force on him because it may injure his arm, which he needs for drumming.
“Who usually wins? Me, of course!”
Her recent victory
Tracey won two gold medals for Sarawak at the recent Malaysia Armwrestling National 2022 in September.
She won the ‘Female Left above 75kg’ and ‘Female Right above 75kg’ categories.
Tracey, who is right-handed, revealed that fighting with her left arm was challenging.
“I remembered losing the first time I wrestled with my left arm. But the perseverance spirit was in me, and I did not give up. After a year, I had won this event, and I was overjoyed and proud of myself.”
Tracey hopes to be able to jump over different obstacles in the future.
“Now, I belong to the above 75kg category. This is when I don’t have to worry much. But in the future, I want to wrestle in a lower weight category. Now I have to plan my diet in order to lose weight.”
Tracey will never stop shining no matter what category she belongs to as she constantly strives to be the best at what she does.
As we celebrate her past accomplishments, we eagerly await her next triumph.
