Sim receives the ‘Hammer of Thor’ from ‘beaten’ world champion Larratt while Kee (right) and Matthew look on.
Participants pose with organisers and officials at the end of the competition on Saturday night.
KUCHING: Minister of Local Government and Housing Datuk Prof Dr Sim Kui Hian is pleased to see the rapid growth of the Premier 101 International Charity Armwrestling Championship.
When he first graced the opening of the inaugural edition in 2016, there were only 93 participants.
“Last year, there were 250 participants and this year, there were 515 participants and so by next year you can imagine it will be over 1,000 already.
“What’s more important that Sarawak Armwrestling Association (Sasa) have successfully brought together pullers from 26 countries all over the world to this Kuching,” Sim said at the closing of the 3rd International Charity Armwrestling Championship at Premier 101 Commercial Centre on Saturday night.
Sim said the event is not just a matter of tourism and sports but it also brings friendship.
The minister also commended Sasa for the tremendous job to organise the championship for three continuous years and even suggested that it should be listed as one of the premier events on the Sarawak tourism calendar.
“I do appreciate the organisers for doing workshops to teach the youngsters about armwrestling and really appreciate that Sasa has also included charity work by donating to charitable organisations,” added Sim.
He later accepted and “won” the challenge against world champion armwrestler from Canada Devon Larratt.
Also present were Sasa president Matthew Dominic Barin, deputy president and organising chairman Stephen Kee and association advisor Dato Sri Teng Chi Lik.