Amateur, Pro Arm Wrestlers Set To Grapple In Big Apple

Competitors face off in a past New York Arms competition. The 32nd Annual White Castle NYC Big Apple Grapple International Arm Wrestling Championships will be contested on Saturday, Apr. 18 at 12:30 p.m. in the Special Events Hall at the NY International Auto Show at the Jacob Javits Center.

The event will feature some of the world's best arm wrestlers, both male and female, as they compete for a chance to be crowned NYC's King or Queen of Arms. It is expected that over 100 athletes will participate in this event, coming from countries such as Turkey, Brazil, Russia, Germany, and the Republic of Georgia.

"We are proud to welcome some of the world's strongest athletes to the NY International Auto Show at the Javits Center to showcase their talents in the sport of arm wrestling," said Candida Romanelli director of the NY International Auto Show. "Spectators will have the opportunity to witness incredible feats of strength while touring one of the world's most famous auto shows."

Among those expected to take part in the event is current NYC Queen of Arms Josée Morneau from Winnipeg, Canada a world champion arm wrestler and ranked by ESPN among the strongest women in the world. Morneau will defend her title against top challenger Cynthia Yerby from Wolf, Okla. who won the NYC Queen of Arms titles seven straight times, from 2000 to 2006, but has been sidelined for the past two years due to a medical problem. Yerby has more than 30 arm wrestling championships on her resume, including 10 world titles.

Another champion expected to compete is New York City's current King of Arms Travis Bagent from Charlestown, W.Va. who is a highly ranked world arm wrestling legend, having won over 50 championships around the world.

"This event draws the best pro talent in the world," said Gene Camp, founder and president of the New York Arm Wrestling Association.

Over $5,000 cash and prizes will be awarded and custom Olympicsize medallions and plaques will be presented to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners in each weight class. The event offers both pro and amateur weight categories and team competition divided by borough, state and country. The men's division will be divided into five right and left hand weight classes including a 45+ years' old master class while the women's division will be divided into two weight classes. First place cash prizes will be given to pros, while amateurs will receive awards only.

Competition entry is open to the public for a fee of $37 for pros and $27 for amateurs, which includes a free sponsor t-shirt and admission to the NY International Auto Show. General admission tickets are $14 at the door. Contestants should register by noon. The event is sponsored by White Castle, NY International Automobile Show and Jacob K. Javits Center.

For more information about the NYC Big Apple Grapple, fans may visit the New York Arm Wrestling Association's website at www.nycarms.com or call 1-718- 544-4592