FitX 2013 - John Brzenk $1000 Arm Wrestling Challenge Vs Lars Rørbakken

During FitX : Sports and Fitness Expo 2013 here in Melbourne, Australia, legendary arm wrestler John Brzenk was challenged by 24 competitors and whoever could defeat him would earn themselves a nice cool $1000!
John breezed through the first 23 virtually unscathed and then stepped up European strongman Lars Rørbakken for what was to be one of the most epic arm wrestle tussles!
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Footage by ShadowLogic.

[@awalkerscott1835]

Lars is 15 years younger, 70 pounds heavier, a world class strongman AND armwrestler, and John STILL took him down AFTER 23 other matches. The man is unreal.

[@yeahdude7]

Because he specializes in arm wrestling, he has more experience, better technique, and his arm muscles are better developed. The strongman could still beat him in weight lifting.

[@connguoilangbat]

A Walker Scott I am just curious to see Brenzk vs the strongman like Brian Shaw and not Lars :D

[@jeje6915]

+Đông Quân Trần Just see The Mountain vs Larratt. Im sure that Lars is much better armwrestler than Shaw, Savickas.

[@1337inzock]

But why is Lars not more famous? He destroyed Larrat and Brzenk gets lucky here no proof he wrestled 10-15 guys before. Even if he did, he probably had rest before this match and it was easy for him.

[@ryanturner8577]

Jonas IDK It was part of a contest. He went against around 25 guys before this, including another strongman. Lars never beat either of them. Only while practicing, not an actual match. So relax there champ. You can go watch the long video with all of John's matches before this at a different angle

[@eldortrell]

it was all in good fun, and while lars is primarily a strongman, he is a former european arm wrestling champion, so make no mistake, no "strongman" would get this far against john….

[@D9Wx]

Well. Magnus Samuelsson also was a Elite armwrestler and he was much bigger and stronger than lars.. He actually broke a insanely huge guys arm in a strongman comp a long time ago while he was outweighed by 50kg

[@ricardoxot]

Nathan Jones was absolutely destroyed in that armwrestling match. Magnus is among the strongest men in the World, and if that match took place today, it would have been even quicker.

[@DivineAtheistWannabe]

Well, actually it was for $1000, not just shits and giggles.

[@otopanculaia]

Lars is very good too. John is the best of all time - no questions

[@arautus]

Brzenk is still a champ after all these years? I remember seeing him dominate in the 80s. He is phenomenal

[@KKBB85]

Brzenk the god of arm wrestling

[@muhammadjawwadsiddiqui2980]

God never loses neither struggles through.

[@Mr11ESSE111]

Lars Rørbakken comes after Brzenk have armwrestling with about 15 peoples before him !!! so Brzenk have little tired arm while Lars got fresh arm without arm fight before but still Brzenk defeated him

[@Divine_R]

Mr11ESSE111 15? if u watch the original video its more like 30 people before lars...

[@Mr11ESSE111]

Dev In 26,5

[@Divine_R]

okay haha thats still plenty

[@Mr11ESSE111]

Dev In jes

[@ZirkoZirk]

+Mr11ESSE111 Those 15 peoples have no idea what is arm wrestling...they don't give brzenk hard time...he was just play with them...

[@fartatmd]

john is legend

[@saltedllama2759]

He wasn't bending his opponents' wrist. Lars was using what's called a "flop hand" technique. He's known for using this technique against guys with a great hook (like John). It's all a part of the game. The only rules in the game are: straight wrist and square shoulders at the start; and the elbow can't leave the pad once the ref lets go. However you want to twist, turn, lean, and bend is entirely up to you.

[@asbangbang-bang7951]

It's for counter top roll

[@didrikVincents]

Fact: Lars is also one of the greatest strongmans in Norway at the moment.. world record in truck pulling

[@TheHungryArtists]

This Lars guy is trying to push all the way

[@brentlionakaboldchamp]

It depends upon the technique. Longer arms are at a disadvantage in the hook, but have a leverage advantage when it comes to the top roll, high hook, ect.

[@ImDanimal85]

John is super human, his endurance is amazing! his muscle's just don't fatigue!

[@GODWITHUS0712]

John B: "you ok I didint hurt you to bad lad".

[@gentilewarrior]

The strongman is obviosuly stronger and more powerful but Brzenk's wrist strength and grip is incredible, that won him that match.

[@roarodon]

Lars is an armwrestling champion himself. A regular strongman wouldn't have a chance against John with the flop-wrist press technique. Lars has spent his entire life perfecting that technique.

[@user-mx5ed1se2n]

fantastic match, a good wrestling bouth man. spetial John

[@MrTChrisso]

lol think that guy hurt himself

[@saltedllama2759]

Well said. A lot of the pros don't even like facing this technique because it's just awkward. Devon Larratt said it's a "crap move." Even so, Lars pulls it well, John is just the best to ever do this. Give him an injury-free arm, and enough preparation, and he can crack just about anyone (even at 48).

[@gramdan]

Lars did 12 hours of strongman competition the day before. So they had quite an even start.

[@imortaliz]

brzenk really is one of gods prototypes when it comes to armwrestling. He looks like he toys with people twice his size

[@yvindaustlid6393]

Lars quit AW in 07 and started Strongman training! But he startet AW training again in 2012!

[@arnabdas2967]

Lars should write a book on how to press at arm wrestling

[@MikkelsenR]

Totally agree with you!

[@TheKnowledgeThurst]

I'm so far advanced the convo seems humorous. They are not as extreme as you could be

[@vfam825]

great pull

[@gramdan]

Lars wrestle with the wrist bent back. That is his style. Pressing with triceps. John might have what seems to be a better hand position. But it is the angle of the ARM when the slip occur that define the winning or loosing position.

[@syclone1045]

John Brzenk- Your Awesome!!!!!!!1

[@zseby66]

Lars is the biggest armwrestling tryharder, always at the limit of legality.

[@angelguerrero5586]

That dude bout to snap some shit up

[@jangho9]

You are awesome Lars!

[@Juzman]

About the second match, according to John himself, you can't be in a losing position if your hand is on top of the other guys...

[@tommyechoes3520]

John Brzenk that man, all respect to him.

[@bolonia31]

brzenk a machine

[@devidia]

Whenever i see someone using the floppy wrist or the kings move, I automatically root for the other side

[@DivineAtheistWannabe]

when one encounters the GOAT, all the ugly tactics are used I guess.

[@zekerocha5129]

I'm sure most of you know.. But if you don't. You need to watch the documentary "pulling john" sick ass arm wresting movie.

[@sohailsaid1985]

Lars Rørbakken has strange strange wrestling technique!!, he pushes all of his body!!

[@suba474]

+Sohail Said Yes it is called press technique, he is probably using that technique because he has stronger triceps than his biceps, otherwise he would use hook or top'n roll technique.

[@gramdan]

As a armwrestling referee, I would say that the second slip is in loosing position. Lars Rørbakken have been arm wrestling for over 15 years. He have been 3rd in the world arm wrestling championship, so there was no luck involved in not breaking the arm.

[@arentol7]

Looks to me like John was playing Lars the whole time. Making him do all the work over and over, then crushing him once he was tired.

[@mariusjacobsen5164]

just look at the first 2 rounds, Lars is the beast here

[@brentlionakaboldchamp]

The judge says it wasn`t. He must know something you don`t.

[@Silks]

It's a gray area calling that a losing position slip. With Lars's flop wrist, as soon as John started really top rolling hard, Lars no longer was even gripping with anything but fingertips. A quarter second later they slipped. That's just the price someone pays for going flop wrist (forcing your opponent to be the only one that's really gripping). If your opponent has decided to no longer hold onto you, it's not your responsibility to hold him at all costs.

[@vzlan999]

True, I live in U.S but whenever I go back to South America, my cousin who is shorter than me beats me in arm wrestling, cant wait to go back and beat him.

[@docadams2012]

John brzenk always slides his hand out when he is in a fix.

[@stitcha123]

smart move though, to go into the straps. and hes attempting to top roll.

[@BlankoMitzi]

Just like an experienced boxer ties up when he gets hurt...as long as your not breaking the rules or cheating... you got to win by any means necessary!!!

[@aragog99]

You weren't there nor were you right next to the table during this match as I was. Lars clearly pushed John off the back of the table and his elbow went way off the front of the pad so it was a foul plain and simple. Was it unbelievably close? Yes! But it was an amazing match and Lars deserves full credit for taking John to the brink of defeat.

[@gramdan]

It has to do with the angle of the forearm. It is the top hand that slips almost everytime.

[@davidcage7671]

So yeah, whatever, the pro rules allow all sorts of body positions and leaning and weight transferrance, but I wouldn't consider a match true and fair unless both wrestlers started from the same straight and neutral position, with no bent wrists. Brzenk was pretty much leaning on the Scandinavian from the start, leading to the fast wins. Things went differently when he couldn't rely on his loaded start... I readily admit they are strong as heck, but without some stricter rules of form and technique it just looks messy :/

[@cybercop0059]

thats basically the only thing John would beat him at. If it was a sumo match, tug of war match, lifting match, other types of arm/leg strength related match, the strongman would win no contest.

[@thegoldencat7]

Wow that was intense.

[@Csut555]

This gives you an idea of how far John has fallen. 10 years ago he would have either played with this guy's wrist or just hooked him in and buried him. Remember the Cyplenkov match from 2009? Denis would have been stronger this guy then and John just destroyed him. Not to knock John by the way. He's nearly 50 years old and he has 30 years of wear and tear on that arm. He may not be as strong anymore, but he still knows how to win matches.

[@marcumm]

Im sure he would have won a lot easier but John arm wrestled like 15 to 20 other guys in a row before this. So im sure his arm was kinda shot

[@TheMightykaz]

Not so much anymore considering he just beat Michael Todd twice. :)

[@roarodon]

headcaseman Lars used a very different tactic compared to Cyplenkov. There is no way even john could have hooked him, he would have been just simply overwhelmed by the dude's strength (probably).

[@gramdan]

@Zumbaru1 you really know Lars, right?

[@plasticbag11]

awesome match. john you are a giant killer :)

[@erkkivan7154]

It is not so straight at all. I see what you may think but the 'torque moment' depends also as much the point where the muscle is connected. Usually longer arms just prefer top roll style.

[@NaxoAteo]

the second slip is not on loosing position since lars has his wrist bent back so john is in advantage hand position , u cant call a win in that slip ,the call was the right one , to go to the straps

[@fyro_j8961]

Wow i never knew arm wrestling was a sport this looks dope though

[@junz4693]

lars was finished with his own technique, fitting =)

[@2Jeezuzisreal]

Ya how does a guy do 23 and the beastman with a fresh arm ? 👍

[@MelbourneMaster]

He shoulda put Lars in a hook. He would be completely defenseless. But John always did prefer to beat athletes in their strongest position.

[@bmw740v8]

John is the GOAT of armwrestling... No doubt.

[@NaxoAteo]

the angle doesnt play a role when the guy who is close to the win has a hand disadvantage independent from if it is his style or not , in this case it wasnt a win because he had his wrist all the way back

[@1grungeboi]

John was not bending his wrist FYI. His opponent was rolling with his shoulder and flopping his wrist with all his body weight behind it and John was just maintaining better hand position because he has superior hand strength to his opponent. There is no other technique this guy could use to beat John so I reckon you are wrong...John is not good he is a legend.

[@amyandbear]

Lars fully expected to beat John as well according to his very confident friend. Even after 24 fights back to back including the heavy weight FitX arm wrestling winner and top power lifters . He was close,, very close..... But no cigar mate. Better luck next time. John you are a legend!

[@gramdan]

You're an armwrestling referee as I am?

[@spinexel]

Keep in mind that Lars had been competing in strongman 12 hours before this match

[@alphamammonth8024]

and see how many people he armwrestled before that match

[@rory787]

Keep In mind that john is 70 pounds lighter, in his 50s, arm wrestled 25 people before this match, and that lars is a professional arm wrestler aswell.

[@leonardovela2641]

the guy in the black looks like my old CSM. last name was Etter lol

[@IamKR4CK3R]

No disrespect to Lars, he is a great arm wrestler! I hope we don't get anymore misinformed comments. Arm wrestling is a very technical sport. Like any other sport the referee's decision is final. Lars clearly fouled in the first pull by allowing his elbow to leave the pad. The second pull was an unintentionally slip. The final pull which went to straps John (48 years old) clearly won! John you are a legend!!!

[@ChadTheDad250]

John is an Arm Wrestler. Lars is a strong man. Bending the wrist is part of Arm Wrestling.

[@tomda21]

because thats the rules..its that simple:)

[@house_greyjoy]

gotta say that the lors guy looks juiced up! i bet most are, except john. much respect

[@yozkopf3000]

You need also strength to bend a strongman's wrist, don't you think? It's not only technique. And armwrestling used to be called wristwrestling. So bending the wrist using wrist and hand strength is within the definition of the sport.

[@DaveAHamptonTraining]

He might be stronger in the benchpress or squat, but not stronger in the hands and arms! And that's what counts in armwrestling!

[@DaveAHamptonTraining]

Only you know the answer to that???

[@brentlionakaboldchamp]

There`s nothing wrong with flopping your wrist....especially if it works to your advantage.

[@SilnoReki2000]

experience...

[@Ardlien]

This would be pretty awesome if I didn't constantly have the mental image of that guy's forearm snapping.

[@Dida224]

fuark dat wrist

[@davidcage7671]

Hah, oops, was Brzenk on the right or left? Guy on right was definitely leaning into it from the start, but guy on left always dominated the wrist.

[@danharris2007]

john brzenk is the guy on the left. he is the greatest arm wrestler in the guinness book of world records. watch some of his older youtube videos hes the best.

[@danharris2007]

hes the greatest armwrestler of all times according to the guinness book of world records.

[@krausleo]

with that slip of elbow pad, brzenk should only receive a foul. The slipped on second fight, we cant say anything. On the final, that guy had lucky for not break his arm, like magnus samuelsson made to nathan jones.

[@huydinh1117]

toproll number one

[@Mrscud119]

That looks super painful

[@IamJacksColon4]

john is way past his prime but he can still hang with the best. john is prob the best there ever was

[@MrSpukinator]

wuts ur point mr Johnny Raincloud?

[@TechnicalBarbarity]

I'm pretty sure when it come to combat sports and grappling sports that most arm wrestlers would man handle "strongmen".

[@axlcrush]

Brzenk 49 Lars 34...16 years difference. Brzenk isn't in the Guiness Book of Records for nothing.

[@ace5872]

John is good but he was bending his opponents wrist, which gave him an advantage. I reckon Rørbakken would win if John did not have this advantage :)

[@SheshagiriPai]

I am afraid for Lars wrist. He only wins when he manages to put his weight behind his arm

[@TehDrunkenMonkey]

It's a full body sport, Plus things would be less interesting and intese like they did in the 70s and 80s That they had to sit down... Look at Richard Lupkey is the 80's...

[@user-nl6ji4gb8z]

ну че ждем армфайта с костадиновым в начале апреля, я думаю там похожий сценарий будет, джон кстате боком сособо не давит, значит плече еще не зажило как следует

[@NaxoAteo]

just amateur referee and armwrestler , but i know what im talking about and i think that a lot of guys here agree with me

[@sistergonorrhea6049]

Perfect use of the strap good fight

[@DivineAtheistWannabe]

yup, good to see that strap on.

[@Csut555]

2007 even

[@ArdonShen]

Why are they allowed to use their bodies like that in the match? I don't understand how the guy can be allowed to veer his body so far off the table and use it as leverage in an attempt to pull his arm back up.

[@nguyenvutuan9292]

john intentionally detergent to break the enemy's strength, too great john cố tình chật tay để phá thế mạnh của đối phương, quá tuyệt

[@2Jeezuzisreal]

Detergent is soap

[@gramdan]

After 17seconds Brzenks elbow left the pad... In the second pull, it looks like Brzenk slipped in loosing position. Brzenk is the undisputed legend, but I feel that Lars won this one.

[@keeganlad]

what the fuck am i doing with my life.

[@kudincev]

Офигеть.

[@jhonwilliamsprayfernandez3745]

Brzenk the best

[@5burowz]

Actually, you can split a muscle fiber.

[@MyTubeAKKsecond]

Michael Todd ONLY allowed to fight from under the table??

[@phsycopiano]

I could take John Brazink, Ya right, he'd break my arm without even trying.

[@TheKnowledgeThurst]

Okay, I no longer want to arm wrestle

[@omedonnie]

Raw power vs power & technique.