Airdrie arm wrestler Darrell Belyk pulled his way to a fourth-place finish in his weight class at the Pull in the Park tournament in Sherwood Park, April 16.
Facing Matt Wiggins of Williams Lake, B.C., Belyk was relegated to fourth overall in the 0-176 pound weight class.
ìHe got some good shots off the go on me, so he took me rather easily,î said Belyk.
ìThere were 11 people in the class, I beat the majority of them, and beat all the Alberta competitors.î
Belyk said he will be working on his hammer muscles in his forearm, which will give him a better chance at competing with competitors who pull quick off the start.
Despite his placing, Belyk was impressed with the turnout at the annual event that caps off the arm wrestling season in Alberta before provincials.
ìIt was a good turnout. It started at 1 p.m. and didnít end till about 5:30 or 6 p.m.,î said Belyk. ìThere were about 60 or 70 competitors.î
Because he beat all the competitors in his weight class from Alberta, Belyk feels confident heading into provincials May 12 in Red Deer.
ìI will go in there the best I can, think positive,î said Belyk. ìYou have to be able to turn off and turn on your abilities right away to avoid using a lot of energy. I used to get psyched in the beginning (of my career) and I would be burnt out by the time my class comes up. I always visualize me winning.î
If Belyk can pull through provincials, he will move on to nationals in Vancouver in June and July and hopefully worlds after that.
Belyk has been arm wrestling since 1987 when he lost a match in a local bar. Someone noticed his talents and encouraged him to train at the Calgary Arm Wrestling Club.
His interest in the sport has brought him all over the world, including an opportunity to compete in Brazil this year for World Championships.
