A Blackfalds man is now one of the owners of an Alberta-based arm-wrestling league.
Frazier Benoit, who has 30-plus years of experience in the sport, and his friend Denise Douros, of Calgary, recently purchased the Stronghold Armwrestling League.
“Ten years ago … there would be maybe one or two tournaments a year in Alberta,” Benoit said on Monday.
“But now, the arm-wrestling world has (grown) … and it’s going to explode even bigger. 2023 is going to be the biggest year we’ve ever seen in arm-wrestling. The athletes now have coaches and trainers – they want to get stronger and faster.”
Benoit has represented Canada at the World Armwrestling Championship in 2003 and 2008, and is a multiple-time national champion.
He also owns Frazier’s Next Level Coaching, where he offers one-on-one training for individuals in arm-wrestling, as well as training not related to arm-wrestling.
“Since I’ve opened, I have coached six Canadian champions in arm-wrestling. I actually got two world champions coming here under my umbrella – they went to (the IFA World Armwrestling Championships in) France last year and won gold in juniors and bronze in the open division,” Benoit said, adding he has clients from as far as Lethbridge, Whitecourt, Calgary and even Saskatchewan.
Benoit’s coaching business has been open for about a year. He and Douros bought Stronghold Armwrestling League, which was originally based out of Drayton Valley, on Nov. 1.
The previous owner had approached Benoit about taking over the league a few times over the years, but nothing had materialized until this past year.
“One evening when Denise was here I said I was actually considering buying Stronghold and I asked if she would consider coming on board,” he said.
Benoit said he’s excited to share his passion for arm-wrestling through the Stronghold Armwrestling League.
“Over the years I’ve seen a lot of leagues come and go. I’ve seen a lot of arm wrestlers come and go. I just love the sport. I think about is 24/7 and I’m not stopping anytime soon,” said Benoit.
“Some people will like arm-wrestling for a few years, win a few matches and think they’re pretty good. Then all of a sudden they start losing and won’t like the sport anymore. The whole part of it is training harder, figuring out your opponents, getting better, getting stronger and staying healthy.”
Stronghold Armwrestling League’s first event is scheduled for March in Calgary. There are several events planned throughout the rest of 2023, including two in Red Deer this August and December.
Stronghold Armwrestling League’s Facebook page has more information. For more information on Frazier’s Next Level Coaching, visit www.fraziersnextlevelcoaching.com.
sean.mcintosh@reddeeradvocate.com
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