From Springs to the world with arm wrestling
Team South Africa is headed to Ghana for this year's world championships.
Nestled in the heart of Grootvaly is the home of Supernova, an arm wrestling club in Springs. Upon entering the compound, one is greeted with the smell of hard work, chalk, and the sounds of friendly banter and grunting as practice continues.
Four members, who are part of the six-man team to represent South Africa at the World Wrestling Championships in Ghana this year, shared in the excitement for what’s to come.
The members sat down with the Springs Advertiser to talk about hopes, dreams and the championship. Meri Prinsloo (14), who attends Hoersköel Hugenote, says the arm wrestling bug bit her when she accompanied her friend to the club.
“It was my friend’s birthday when we came here for the first time, I saw the arm wrestlers practicing and I’ve been in love with the sport since.”
Meri says it was not easy as her mother did not approve at first.
“I had to be very persistent until she said yes,” she said with a laugh.
When asked about the stigma of arm wrestling being a sport for men, Meri is quick to brush it off with a shrug.
“I don’t care what other people think, I am doing what I love.”
Graham Verwey (23) is from Carlton, North West, and was in town to pick up his team kit. According to another team member, Rosemary Botha (51), he is a late entry because another member could not participate.
Graham, a self-proclaimed classic nerd in high school, only knew the art of war with words and was pleasantly surprised when he fell in love with arm wrestling.
“My parents loved the idea of me leading a balanced extracurricular lifestyle as it’s only a semi-physical sport.”
James Kruger (40) from Boksburg says he started arm wrestling seven years ago.
“I would watch competitions. I took a liking to the sport and soon I was committed to it.”
The team agrees that it’s important to establish a work-life balance.
“It can get overwhelming but coming to practice becomes therapeutic,” adds Rosemary.
Graham mentions that the sport is extremely rewarding.
“The job I work at requires a lot of arm strength so arm wrestling has brought a lot of help to my productivity at work,” he says.
Regarding the news about their travels to Ghana, Rosemary said it was unreal. “Until we got our team kit, I thought something was going to go wrong.”
The competition will run from March 7 to 23.
