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Impressive season continues |
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Written by SCOTT STANFIELD
Citizen staff
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Wednesday, 06 August 2008 |
Prince George Iron Arms members nearly ran the table at the provincial armwrestling championships in Kelowna last weekend. From left are: Al Roseberry, Brian Gabriel, Alex Maritsas, Vern Martel, Darcy Goodkey and Dan Gallo. (Submitted photo)
Last weekend in Kelowna, the 24-year-old Prince George man won with both hands in the 176-pound pro class at the provincial tournament. He has not lost a match this season.
“She’s going pretty good so far,” said Gallo, a member of the Prince George Iron Arms Club who was national champion in 2006. “I never felt stronger. This tournament went a lot easier than I thought it was going to be.”
Last year at nationals, Gallo was runner-up to Quebec’s Chris Gobby in the left-handed division of the 165-pound class, the same division he plans to compete in Moose Jaw.
“It’s time for a little pay back,” he said.
Gobby, 2005 national champion Jacques Aubin of Ontario and Perry Burhm, the defending national right-hand champion at 165-pounds, promise to be the men to beat at nationals.
“Hopefully my luck doesn’t run out,” said Gallo, who defeated Burhm this season in Red Deer. “Non-stop training -- just got to keep working the hands. That’s how it’s been for the last six months is just hand and wrist. It makes a helluva difference.”
Local armwrestling legend Vern Martel, hampered in recent years by an arm injury, returned to action last weekend and won the masters 198-pound division. Martel, also known as the ‘One-Armed Bandit,’ is a perennial world wrist and armwrestling champion who founded the Iron Arms club.
“He’s getting back into it,” Gallo said. “He surprised quite a few guys. He got me a little worried again.”
Other club members who won medals at provincials were heavyweight Brian Gabriel, who took second with his right hand in the 220-and-over class and third with his left in the 198-pound division; Darcy Goodkey, who placed second in the 198-pound right-hand class; and Alex Maritsas, who earned second with his left and third with his right among 198-pounders, respectively. Tyler Goodkey won with his right hand in the children’s division.
The top two finishers at nationals earn a spot at the 2008 world armwrestling championships this fall in Kelowna.
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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 06 August 2008 )
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