Airdrie’s Darrell Belyk will be going back to the World Arm Wrestling Championships, after claiming three top-five finishes at nationals in Winnipeg last weekend.
He took home first place in the disabled class, third place in the Grand Masters 50 years plus 0-165 pound class and fifth in the Masters 40 years plus 0-176 pound class and will now become a member of Team Canada once again.
“I haven’t been training like I have in the past, so I just wanted to get on the podium, which I did surprisingly enough,” Belyk said. “It was good all around.”
First and second place finishers in each class qualify for the worlds, which will take place in Mesquite, Nev. in December, so Belyk could also become a replacement in the Grand Masters class if someone withdraws.
His national tournament was almost over as it began, however, as he thought he broke his thumb in his first match on the first day. He then competed injured for the remainder of nationals.
“It was throbbing afterwards and throughout the day I could feel it when people were squeezing my hand,” Belyk said. “The next day it was puffy and red, but I just went to the table and concentrated on what I had to do.”
He will now return to training, which he will try to mix in with his current aldermanic campaign, for his 10th trip to the World Championships.
“That is going to be a balancing act,” Belyk said. “I see my training increasing a bit, but I don’t see it going intensely until after the election.”
