34th Annual NYC Big Apple Grapple International To Crown King And Queen

The New York Arm Wrestling Association announced today that the Village Pourhouse (Award winning NYC Sports Bar) located at 64 Third Avenue at 11th Street in NYC, will host the 34th Annual NYC Big Apple Grapple International Arm Wrestling Championships on Saturday, April 30, 2011 beginning at 1 p.m. - Entry fees are $20 for amateurs and $30 pros - General admission is $5, venue restrictions are 21 years-old and contestants are asked to register and weigh-in early.

The event features over 100 of the world's best arm wrestlers, both male and female, as they compete for the chance to be crowned NYC's King and Queen of Arms. The day begins at 1 p.m. with the $2,000 Master's 50+ years-old super challenge charity match between 2010 World Arm Wrestling Champion Bobby Buttafuoco (Yes, Joey's brother) from Rockville Centre, NY and Power Hand Strength Phenomenon Frank ‘Iron Hands' Malis from West Islip, NY who could bend bolts in seconds and rip two decks of cards in half. The best of 5 matches winner will donate the cash prize to charity - Buttafuoco: Paralized Vets of America - Malis: Japan Relief Fund. Sponsors are Captain's of Crush® Grippers and GBG Vitality, which is a liquid or chewable vitamin that promotes health and well-being from its vitamins and mineral enzymes.

There are seven weight classes for men including a master's 45+ years-old, three left-handed classes, and two classes for women. Competition will be open to the public and divided into amateur and pro categories. First, second and third place finishers will receive custom engraved half-pound Gold, Silver, Bronze 4" Olympic-size medallions. $100 cash prizes will be given to first place winners of the pro categories, and the day's overall strongest male and female will receive a bonus $200 cash prize and crowned NYC's King and Queen of Arms. Teams will also compete, grouped by borough, state, and country with a point tally to determine the winning team.

"This unique and diverse strong-arm competition will draw both ‘hard nosed pros' and first time beginners to compete in their respective weight class categories said, Gene Camp, founder and president of the NYAWA. Camp continued, "The Big Apple Grapple is the premiere NYC arm wrestling event and it's going to be an exciting contest of technique, brute strength and explosive raw energy with many rivalries and hard-fought matches."

Athletes will participate from the NY tri-state area and from countries such as Russia, Poland Brazil and Hungary. Among those expected to take part are Brooklyn stars Joyce Boone from Carroll Gardens who broke her right arm in1997 and came back from then to win the Empire State Arm Wrestling Championship four months ago. Another Brooklynite expected to compete is two-time NYC King of Arms Georgi Geloshvili from Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn who is considered the best arm-wrestler in New York. The event will also feature the Empire State Champions who won last November at the Port Authority Bus Terminal in NYC.

For information visit the NYAWA website at nycarms.com or call 718-544-4592.