John Brzenk

Last updated

John Brzenk
John Brzenk.jpg
Brzenk in November 2006
Personal information
Nickname(s)The Perfect Storm, G.O.A.T.
Born (1964-07-15) July 15, 1964 (age 59)
McHenry, Illinois, US
Occupation Arm wrestler
Height5 ft 11 in (180 cm) [1]
Weight229 lb (104 kg) [1]
Sport
CountryFlag of the United States.svg  United States
Sport Arm wrestling

John Brzenk (born July 15, 1964) is a professional armwrestler from the United States. His grandfather immigrated to the US from Poland. [2] [3] During his career as a professional armwrestler, Brzenk has won more than 500 championship titles. [4]

Contents

Biography & Accomplishments

John Brzenk's father, John Brzenk Sr., was an arm wrestler, and Brzenk says he gained some of his forearm size through genetics. [5] John started his amateur career in the classroom, where he arm wrestled students across tables for five years. When he was in eighth grade, he broke his arm while armwrestling his father's friend, and has stated that this breakage increased his tendon strength significantly. [6] Over the years, Brzenk has often been called "The Giant Crusher", "The Golden Boy", "G.O.A.T." or the "Perfect Storm" for his ability to pin opponents twice his size. [7]

Brzenk started his professional career in 1982, at the age of 18, where he won his first world title on ABC's 1983 Wide World of Sports. From 1982 to 2015, John only lost a single supermatch, and only a handful of people had beaten him in tournaments. Most of these losses occurred later during that time when he was of advanced age. Two of his most prominent losses were to Alexey Voyevoda in 2004 and Devon Larratt in 2008, both of whom are considered legendary arm wrestlers. [8] Aside from arm wrestling, John works as a mechanic at Delta Air Lines. [9] He says the job is non-physical so his arms get plenty of rest. During his career he has competed for upwards of $80,000 USD. [10] [11]

Brzenk won championships in a number of different weight classes, including four world championships in the heavyweight division, and the middleweight world championship. [12] He also had an uncredited cameo in the 1987 Sylvester Stallone film Over the Top , and was the subject of the feature documentary "Pulling John", directed by Vassiliki Khonsari and Sevan Matossian. The documentary chronicles Brzenk's legendary arm wrestling career by following him intimately for 4 years, in which John competes in global tournaments and ponders retiring from the sport he loves. [13] [14] After defeating Marcio Barboza in the 2015 WAL Heavyweight Right-Handed Championship, Brzenk would take an extended period of time off from armwrestling due to injuries. [15]

Arm Wrestling Comeback

In 2018, John Brzenk would lose an attempted comeback match against Travis Bagent in Moldova. [16] On July 31, 2021, Brzenk would return to arm wrestling full time by defeating Chance Shaw in a supermatch. [17] On December 11 of the same year, John Brzenk would face right-handed heavyweight title holder Devon Larratt at King Of The Table 2 (KOTT 2). Despite John defeating Larratt in one of his most recent matches before his layoff from armwrestling, a bigger, stronger Larratt would prove to be too much for John as he would go on to lose by a score of 4–0. [18]

On February 10, 2022, Brzenk would make his debut at the international arm wrestling tournament East vs West (East vs West 2 event) by defeating Khadzimurat Zoloev. This win allowed John to once again, at the age of 57, reclaim the world’s top ranking in the 225 pound division. [19] On May 21, at East vs West 3, Brzenk would have a match against Zurab Tavberidze. John would go on to win this match by a score of 3–2. [20]

On August 6, 2022, at East vs West 4, John Brzenk was defeated in a right-handed supermatch with Kazakhstan armwrestler Kydyrgali Ongarbaev. [21] On November 19 of the same year, in the next installment of East vs West, Brzenk would defeat Oleg Petrenko in a right-handed supermatch in dominant fashion, 3–0. [22]

On January 21, 2023, John Brzenk would participate in a fifth consecutive installment of East vs West, winning a hard fought supermatch to Irakli Zirakashvili by a score of 3–2. [23] The next month, on February 25, Brzenk would have his toughest test to date, a match at KOTT 6 against Super Heavyweight Denis Cyplenkov, the former world #1 who had not had a match in 4 years due to health issues. Despite the long layoff, Cyplenkov did not look like he had lost any of his physical or table ability, defeating Brzenk by an almost effortless 6-0 score. [24] On August 12, 2023, Brzenk would lose 0-4 to Todd Hutchings at the AWC Reloaded event. [25]

On September 23, 2023, John Brzenk would go against Alexey Voyevoda at King Of The Table 8. This was a rematch of their historic first match in 2004 which Voyevoda won. Circumstances were different this time as Voyevoda had not competed in years and was not as dominant as he was back then. John would win the match 4-2. [26]

Physical statistics

Notable matches

YearOpponentResultHandOutcomeEvent
2024Krasimir KostadinovLossRight Hand0-3East vs West 11
2023Sasho AndreevLossRight Hand0-5East vs West 10
2023 Alexey Voevoda WonRight Hand4-2KOTT 8
2023Todd HutchingsLossRight Hand0-4AWC Fight Night 2
2023 Denis Cyplenkov LossRight Hand0-6KOTT 6
2023Irakli ZirakashviliLossRight Hand2-3East vs West 6
2022Oleg PetrenkoWonRight Hand3-0East vs West 5
2022Kydyrgali OngarbaevLossRight Hand1-3East vs West 4
2022Corey WestWonRight Hand3-2Monster Factory 2
2022Zurab TavbaridzeWonRight Hand3-2East vs West 3
2022Pavlo DerbedyenyevWonRight Hand3-0Kentucky Muscle 2022
2022Engin TerziWonRight Hand3-0Hardanger Open 2022
2022Khadzimurat ZoloevWonRight Hand3-0East vs West 2
2021 Devon Larratt LossRight Hand0-4KOTT 2
2021Paul LinnWonRight Hand3-0Virginia State Championships
2021Dmitriy KachanWonRight Hand3-0Texas State Championships
2021Chance ShawWonRight Hand3-1Dave Patton Classic
2015 Devon Larratt WonRight Hand6-0WAL Championship
2012Vasilli DautashviliLossRight Hand2-4PAL Armfight #41
2012Terence OppermanWonRight Hand5-1PAL Armfight #41
2012Dmitry TrubinLossRight Hand0-6PAL Armfight #41
2008 Devon Larratt LossRight Hand0-6Arm Wars "Deep Water"
2008 Denis Cyplenkov WonRight Hand5-1PAL Armfight #37
2008Dmitry KochievWonRight Hand4-2PAL Armfight #34
2007Taras IvakinWonRight Hand4-2PAL Armfight #30
2007Ion OncescuWonRight Hand4-2PAL Armfight #29
2006 Andrey Pushkar WonRight Hand6-0PAL Armfight #27
2005Alexey SemerenkoWonRight Hand5-1PAL Armfight #17
2005Todd HutchingsWonRight Hand2-0Superstar Showdown 2
2005Taras IvakinWonRight Hand4-2PAL Armfight #15
2004 Devon Larratt WonRight Hand2-0SuperStar Showdown
1999 Devon Larratt WonRight Hand1-0 WAF Worlds 1999

Achievements

Key
SymbolDescription
LLeft hand
RRight hand
  • 2015 – R-2nd Place
  • 2014 – R-3rd Place [31]
  • 1984 – R200 lbs
  • 1985 – R185 lbs
  • 1986 – R220 lbs
  • 1990 – R220 lbs
  • 2006 – R199+
  • 2007 – R199+
  • 1986 – Pro Super Heavyweight
  • 1987 – Pro Light Heavyweight
  • 1988 – Pro Light Heavyweight
  • 1995 – Pro Light Heavyweight
  • 2001 – Pro Super Heavyweight
  • 1989 – R 200 lbs, R 231+ lbs
  • 1998 – R198 lbs, R243+ lbs, L198 lbs
  • 2002 – R198 lbs
  • SUPERMATCH (Absolut Champion)
  • R1994
  • Pro tournament
  • R90+ kg: 1990, 1994, 1998
  • R90 kg: 1990
  • 2000 – R220 lbs + Harley Winner
  • 2001 – R220 lbs
  • 2002 – R198 lbs, L198 lbs
  • 2009 – R225 lbs, L225 lbs + Harley Winner
  • 1998 – R220 lbs
  • 2006 – R220 lbs, L220 lbs
  • 2010 – R220 lbs
  • 2005 – R198 lbs, L198 lbs
  • 2006 – R242 lbs, R243+ lbs
  • 2007 – R198 lbs, L198 lbs
  • 1986 – Winner of Truckers Division in Heavyweight class
  • 1999 – R200 lbs, R230 lbs, R231+ lbs, L200 lbs
  • 2000 – R198 lbs, R242 lbs, R243+ lbs, L198 lbs, L242 lbs
  • 2001 – R198 lbs, R242 lbs, R243+ lbs, L198 lbs
  • 2002 – R198 lbs, R242 lbs, R243+ lbs, L198 lbs, L242 lbs
  • 2003 – R233+ lbs
  • 2006 – R242 lbs, R243+ lbs
  • 2006 – R242 lbs, R243+ lbs
  • 2007 – R215 lbs, L215 lbs
  • 2008 – R242 lbs, L242 lbs
  • 2009 – R199+ lbs
  • 1988 – R190 lbs
  • 1989 – R190 lbs, R215 lbs
  • 1987 – R200 lbs, R201+ lbs
  • 2004 – R199+ lbs
  • 2005 – R198 lbs
  • 2004 – R242 lbs
  • 2005 – R198 lbs, L198 lbs
  • 2006 – R242 lbs, R243+ lbs
  • 2011 – R200 lbs
  • 1996 – R200 lbs, R201+ lbs
  • 1997 – R198 lbs, R242 lbs, R243+ lbs, L198 lbs
  • 1998 – R242 lbs, R243+ lbs
  • 1999 – R198 lbs, R242 lbs, R243+ lbs, L198 lbs, L242 lbs
  • 2000 – R242 lbs, R243+ lbs, L242 lbs, L243+ lbs
  • 2001 – R242 lbs, R243+ lbs, L242 lbs, L243+ lbs
  • 2002 – R198 lbs, R242 lbs, R243+ lbs, L198 lbs, L242 lbs
  • 2003 – R242 lbs, R243+ lbs
  • 2004 – R242 lbs, R243+ lbs, L242 lbs
  • 2005 – R242 lbs
  • 2006 – R242 lbs, R243+ lbs
  • 2007 – R242 lbs, R243+ lbs
  • 2009 – R242 lbs, R243+ lbs, L242 lbs, L243+ lbs
  • 2010 – R242 lbs, R243+ lbs
  • 2005 – R220 lbs
  • 1999 – L100 kg, R: Supermatch Winner
  • 2015 – R: Heavyweight Champion
  • Heavyweight Division
  • R: 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1996, 1998, 2001
  • Light Heavyweight Division
  • R: 1998, 2001
  • L: 1998, 2001
  • Middleweight Division
  • R – 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1996, 1998, 2001
  • L – 1996, 1998, 2001
  • Lightweight Division
  • R – 1984
  • 1985 – Middleweight
  • Heavyweight Division
  • R: 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993,
  • Middleweight Division
  • R: 1995, 1996.
  • Category – Open
  • R: 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009
  • Category – 95 kg
  • R: 2004, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009
  • L: 2007, 2009

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References

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  2. ↑ Records, Guinness World (May 2, 2000). Guinness World Records 2000. Bantam. p. 249. ISBN   9780553582680. "Most Successful Arm Wrestler, John Brzenk (US), a middleweight, has dominated many weight classes in arm wrestling over the past 17 years. During the 1998 World Championships...Brzenk won championships at five different weights, three with his right arm, two with his left. In the same year, he was named the greatest arm wrestler in the history of the sport during the World Wristwrestling Championship
  3. ↑ Williams, Kevin K. (June 6, 2023). "Who is the GOAT of Arm Wrestling?". Morethansport.com. Retrieved June 25, 2023.
  4. ↑ K., Joshua K. (January 29, 2022). "John Brzenk- Arm Wrestling G.O.A.T." Grapplezilla.com. Retrieved June 25, 2023.
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  6. ↑ Hamilton-Irvine, Gary (June 13, 2015). "Broken bones common for arm wrestlers". New Zealand Herald. ISSN   1170-0777 . Retrieved March 19, 2016.
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  12. 1 2 "Brzenk, 4 others seek arm wrestling titles". The Deseret News. September 13, 1996. Retrieved August 11, 2010.
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  14. ↑ "Watch The The Greatest Arm Wrestler In History Take On His Toughest Opponents". Business Insider. Retrieved March 19, 2016.
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  16. ↑ JOHN BRZENK VS TRAVIS BAGENT ARMWRESTLING SUPER MATCH MOLDOVA 2018 , retrieved September 20, 2018
  17. ↑ JOHN BREZNK vs CHANCE SHAW ARM WRESTLING SUPERMATCH , retrieved August 2, 2021
  18. ↑ DEVON LARRATT vs JOHN BRZENK - KING OF THE TABLE 2 OFFICIAL FOOTAGE , retrieved December 16, 2021
  19. ↑ John Brzenk vs Khadzimurat Zoloev at East vs West 2 , retrieved February 23, 2022
  20. ↑ John Brzenk vs Zurab Tavberidze - EAST vs WEST 3 , retrieved May 25, 2022
  21. ↑ John Brzenk vs Kydirgaly Ongarbayev - East vs West 4 , retrieved August 10, 2022
  22. ↑ John Brzenk vs Oleg Petrenko - East vs West 5 , retrieved November 23, 2022
  23. ↑ John Brzenk vs İrakli Zirakashvili - East vs West 6, Lightheavyweight Supermatch , retrieved January 26, 2023
  24. ↑ Denis Cyplenkov vs John Brzenk Highlights & All Pins Official Footage , retrieved March 9, 2023
  25. ↑ AWC RELOADED: John Brzenk vs Todd Hutchings FULL MATCH , retrieved August 27, 2023
  26. ↑ KOTT8: John Brzenk VS Alexey Voevoda , retrieved October 6, 2023
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  28. ↑ "Weigh-ins KOTT2 • ARMWRESTLING • ARMWRESTLING NEWS XSPORTNEWS.COM". Xsportnews.com. Retrieved January 18, 2024.
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  31. ↑ "RESULTS: A1 Russian Open 2014 • ARMWRESTLING • ARMWRESTLING NEWS XSPORTNEWS.COM". Xsportnews.com. Retrieved November 25, 2015.
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