A former world arm wrestling champion has invented a new game called The Grappler to help out the ‘fun back’ into the sport..
Handy man Rod Lenette, 49, says the sport has been ruined by extremely short contests, normally involving “two massive guys” which only last a few seconds and was boring.
To reignite people’s interests, the former British army soldier has built, and patented The Grappler -an eight-foot wide circle that is half blue and half red.
The bottom and top halves rotate independently.
Competitors start off with their top colour on the one opposite to the bottom one, for example a blue top on a red bottom.
They then have to use all their strength, including their legs, to move their opponent and themselves so the top and bottom colours match.
The game is won when they then pin their opponent’s arms.
A pulley system allows you to off balance your rival.
Rod, a former lance corporal in the Royal Corps of Transport, who now lives in Bedford, Beds., says he spent £15,000 and 20 years devising the game.
He said: “Arm wrestling has become boring. It is played by people who are probably taking steroids and lasts about four seconds.
“People don’t want to watch it because it’s over so quick. It used to be much better when people used their whole body rather than just their upper body.
“My invention allows anyone to arm wrestle and is completely different to your contest with two guys who pumps too much iron at the gym.
“People have to use their legs and lower body which makes it much more fun to watch and take part in.
“I’m hoping it will be a kind of new karaoke. Arm-wrestling has become very exclusive and I want to open it back up to the public.”
Father-of-three Rod, who has been crowned world, European and UK arm wrestling champion in 1991, first built the contraption in the late 90s but has only recently starting offering it to clubs and pubs for hire.
He said: “The machine was just sitting in my shed collecting dust when I decided to sand it all down and get it out again.
“It’s much more fun to watch and play than normal arm wrestling which I think has been made boring because everyone who seems to do it professionally is on steroids and the contest is over in seconds.
“It’s not like professional arm wrestling where two massive guys go head to head. In this you use your whole body and anyone can do it.
“You have to use your legs, your core. You can’t win on arm strength alone.
“We trialled it at club in Bedford and it was fantastic – everyone was cheering and clapping. I’m hoping to tour round pubs and get people to compete against each other.”
