Charity Armwrestling Championship a huge success, says Sasa chief

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Members of the media with (from fifth left) world champion Devon Larratt, Sasa advisor Dato Sri Teng Chi Lik, Matthew and Sasa deputy president cum organising chairman Stephen Kee and the organising committee members. — Photo by Chimon Upon

KUCHING: The 3rd Premier 101 International Charity Armwrestling Championship, organised by the Sarawak Armwrestling Association (Sasa) and Premier 101 Community Club at Premier 101 Commercial Centre from Jan 19 to 21, was a resounding success.

Sasa president Matthew Dominic Barin said the event was very successful when compared to the previous two editions in 2016 and 2017.

“This year, we have 515 pullers from over 20 countries when compared to 91 participants in the first edition and about 240 last year,” he told The Borneo Post at the appreciation dinner for the organising committee and members of the local media at a local restaurant on Wednesday.

“The championship was very successful this time because everybody was involved, we had the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports, Ministry of Local Government and Housing, State Immigration, Sarawak Tourism Board as well as the media who contributed to the successful organising of the event.

“We also received very good feedback from the participants from Australia, Thailand and Sabah and this is one of the best armwrestling events in the world,” said Matthew.

This because the championship included elements like culture, tourism and charity work which created a very different environment for the participants when compared to other armwrestling championships in the world.

“With continued support from the two ministries, we are planning to organise the event  on a bigger scale by adding more categories such as the Junior category for the Under  21 pullers, Amateur category and Pro category,” added Matthew.

Meanwhile, Taiwan’s Kevin Tsai was crowned the overall champion after he won the Right Hand Pro 75-85kg title and sixth place in the Left Hand Pro 80kg Above.

Hot favourite Murray McKay from Australia claimed the Right Hand Pro 85kg Above title after beating Thai challenger Wittawat. China’s Luo Na was victorious in the Female Open where she defeated Intan Marziyah from Malaysia.