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Nova Scotia residents must be a member of the NSAWA to participate in Provincials, Atlantic Canadians and Nationals
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October 19, 2025
Members present:
Rick Pinkney
Scott MacInnis
Paula O’Connell
Robert McNamara
Yaniev Vaida
Andrew Yakomovich
Madison Seely
Mark MacPhail via video conference
Pauline Surkan via video conference
Meeting called to order 5:42pm
Motion by Rick Pinkney, seconded by Rob McNamara
Motion passed Unanimously
Change Junior Classes to the following:
Mixed 6 & Under
Mixed 7-8
Mixed 9-10
Girls 11-12
Girls 13-15
Girls 16-18
Boys 11-12
Boys 13-15
Boys 16-18
Motion by Rick Pinkney, Seconded by Scott MacInnis
Passed Unanimously
Whereas the 2026 Provincials will be held more than 3 hours from Halifax, the NSAWA will cover 1 room night per referee for the event
Motion by Rick Pinkney, seconded by Chris Scott
Passed Unanimously
Add a 225lb class to Battle of the Atlantic for left and right arms
No more Elite 1, 2 and 3
Motion by Rick Pinkney, seconded by Scott MacInnis
Passed Unanimously
Whereas it takes considerable time to set up for the Atlantic Championships, the NSAWA will cover 1 night hotel room for Rick Pinkney.
Motion by Rob McNamara, seconded by Scott MacInnis
Passed Unanimously
Change Ladies classes for Atlantic Championships to 143, 170, 170+
Motion by Mark MacPhail, seconded by Andrew Yakomovich
Passed Unanimously
Change Provincial Classes to the following:
154, 176, 198, 220, 220+ for both left and right arms (165 class has been deleted)
New Business:
– Whereas 2026 will be the 40th Provincial Championships, the NSAWA will look at special awards for the the Championships
– The NSAWA will investigate having Team concept for Atlantic Canada much the same as what the Table Monkeys (Jason Costantini) are doing, whereby we have team captains and they draft their team.
Meeting adjourned at 7:12pm
–
Patrick MacKinnon showed that his right was just as deadly as his left at BOTA XXVIII on the weekend. In a stacked class Patrick came out on top in both the left and right hand classes. In the upset of the day 14yr old Thomas Dumas took the middleweight class defeating the favourite Ralphie Bayers.
In the Belt matches, 2 belts changed hands as challengers Aaron Smyth and Brett Landsburg won the respective divisions. Ralphie Bayers, Dylan Courier and Patrick MacKinnon held onto their belts.
Full Results: BOTA XXIII
Our newest club, the Hicktown High Risers, showed up to the New Ross Fair and dominated most of the classes. Both Slater Ring and Logan Ring captured both the right and left hand classes. The other double winner of the day was Laura Broome in the Ladies Open class. In the junior classes Garrison Frost won 4 classes in the Under 18. The Westcott brothers took a total of 6 Gold, with Jonah winning both the 8yr and 10yr old right and left hand classes while younger brother Linden won the 6yr old division. In the girl’s division, there was no stopping Noelle Harris as she won both hands and at 13 joined the ladies classes and took home a 3rd and a 4th.
The 2025 provincial Championships took place at Weir Field in Upper Sackville. Although the number of entries were down from from previous years the competition was fierce. The much anticipated match-up between Brett Landsburg and Pat MacKinnon went off with Brett dominating the right hand and Pat doing the same with the left. Aaron Smyth and Angela McNamara were the only double winners in the senior classes. Phil Carty and Mark MacPhail had a couple great battles on their way to match of the day. The Sackville Warriors were the top team. However the young and fast growing team from Pictou is proving that they will be a force to be reckoned with in the future.
We’d like to wish Hunter Elliott a speedy recovery.
New Brunswick captures Atlantic Team championship
Team New Brunswick broke Nova Scotia’s 21 year stranglehold on the Championship trophy. NB edged out NS by 8 points to capture the crown as the top team in Atlantic Canada. Mae Colpitts led the way for NB with 4 gold medals.
In the Juniors, 14yr old Thomas Dumas continues to dominate, winning both the 16 and 18yr old categories. However Nova Scotia captured the first ever junior. team trophy.
The Challengers have all been determined for the Battle of the Atlantic Belts in the fall.
Full Results – BOTA XXVI – Nova Scotia Arm Wrestling Association
Left Hand lightweight – Champion Stephen McGeoghegan vs Aaron Smyth
Left Hand Middleweight- Champion Dylan Courier vs Jim McGeoghegan
Left Hand Heavyweight – Champion Patrick McKinnon vs Brett Landsburg
Ladies Left Hand Lightweight – Champion Paula O’Connell wins by default
Ladies Left Hand Open – Champion Angela McNamara vs Pauline Surkan
Right Hand Lightweight – Champion Logan Fraser vs Trevor Weatherbee
Right Hand Middleweight – Champion Ralphie Bayers vs Jim McGeoghegan
Right Hand Heavyweight – Champion Logan LeClair vs Brett Landsburg
Ladies Right Hand Lightweight – Champion Mareshah Elliott wins by default
Ladies Right Hand Open -Champion Angela McNamara vs Pauline Surkan
The first competition of 2025 was the Superman tournament. For the first ime we ran and under and over 198 classes. This competition saw the return of Brett Lansburg. After a 2 year hiatus due to work and an injury he picked up where he left off, as the top dog in Atlantic Canada dominating both the right and left hand classes. Nathan Guitard looked very impressive but was no match for Brett’s power.
Crystal Dumas was just as impressive in the lady’s division, easily dispatching her opponents. However the matches between Autumn Elliott and Mireille Cormier were the best matches of the day.
The men’s lightweight division saw Ben Major take the left hand and 14yr old Thomas Dumas take the right.
The following motions were passed at the Nov 16 AGM:
1. Addition of a left and right 220lb weight class for Provincials.
2. Those that pre-register and pay for their registration at Atlantics and Provincials will pay the $25 entry fee. Those that pay at the event will pay $30. This is to speed up registrations.
3. Anyone that wishes to weigh in early for Provincials at Atlantics must have Membership (NS athletes) and entry fee paid by the Tuesday before the event.
4. For Provincials; to collect team points, your team members must have membership form filled out and membership paid by February 28.
5. The Executive will choose a Provincial team captain 2 weeks prior to Nationals.
6. Due the the ever growing size of Atlantics it will be cut back to double-elimination