John Brzenk

John Brzenk's father, John Brzenk Sr., was an arm wrestler, and Brzenk says he gained some of his forearm size through genetics.[3] John started his amateur career in the classroom, where he arm wrestled students across tables for five years. When he was in eighth grade, he broke his arm while armwrestling his father's friend, and has stated that this breakage increased his tendon strength significantly.[4] Over the years, Brzenk has often been called "The Giant Crusher", "Superman", or the "Perfect Storm" for his ability to pin opponents twice his size.[5]

Brzenk started his professional career in 1982, at the age of 18, where he won his first world title on ABC's 1983 Wide World of Sports. [1] John has only lost a single supermatch, and only a handful of people have ever beaten him in tournaments. Most of these losses occurred later in his career when he was of advanced age. Two of his most prominent losses were to Devon Larratt and Alexey Voyevoda, both of whom are considered legendary arm wrestlers. [6] Aside from arm wrestling, John works as a mechanic at Delta Air Lines.[7] He says the job is non-physical so his arms get plenty of rest. During his career he has competed for upwards of USD$80 000.[8][9]

Brzenk has won championships in a number of different weight classes, including four world championships in the heavyweight division, and the middleweight world championship.[10] He also had an uncredited cameo in the 1987 Sylvester Stallone film Over the Top, and was the subject of the feature documentary "Pulling John", directed by Vassiliki Khonsari and Sevan Matossian. The documentary chronicles Brzenk's legendary armwrestling career by following him intimately for 4 years, in which John competes in global tournaments and ponders retiring from the sport he loves.[11][12]

On February 10th, 2022, after a seven year retirement, John Brzenk beats Khadizmura Zoloev at the age of 57, to once again reclaim the world’s top ranking in the 225 pound division.[13]

• Height: 6'1"[10]
• Weight: Varies between 195 and 225 lbs, depending on competition classes.
• Style: Varies
• Biceps: 18.25in[14]
• Forearm:
  • Right: 16.5in[14][15]
  • Left: 13.5in[14]

• Armwrestlers ONLY
• Ifitandhealthy.com