History of Arm Wrestling in Nova Scotia

Armwrestling has deep roots in Nova Scotia, dating back to the early days when fishermen, farmers, and lumberjacks tested their strength against one another. Over time, organized competitions emerged, and champions were crowned. However, without a governing body to standardize the sport, multiple competitions in the early 1980s claimed to host the official Provincial Championships. Rules, refereeing, and even table dimensions varied widely, leading to inconsistency and controversy. Some tables featured wooden-rimmed elbow pads and pin pads—adding extra motivation not to lose. Referees often had no formal training and were selected based on availability or personal connections.

Recognizing the need for structure, Rick Pinkney founded the Nova Scotia Arm Wrestling Association (N.S.A.W.A.) in 1985. Having trained for five years in Edmonton with Canadian Armwrestling President John Miazdzyk and World Champion Tony Senger, Rick brought invaluable experience to the province. The association was incorporated as a non-profit organization, with Rick serving as its first president and Charlie Yorston as vice-president.

Early Challenges and Growth

The first year saw only a couple of tournaments, including one held at Bedford Place Mall. At the time, arm wrestling was not permitted in licensed establishments, so competitions primarily took place at county fairs.

The Nova Scotia Liquor License Board denied Rick’s request to host competitions. Two things happened to allow armwrestling in licensed establishments. First a tournament was staged at the Village Gate Tavern in Dartmouth—but with a twist. Since armwrestling inside the venue was prohibited, the NSAWA rented a large flatbed truck and set it up just outside the patio. Competitors had to step out of the patio, climb onto the truck, compete, and return to their seats. The innovative approach impressed the inspectors.

Second, Rick contacted every MLA in the province and managed to get all parties onside including Premier Hamm. The Liquor Board then called Rick into the office. The head of the NS Liquor Board said to him, “I don’t know who you know but we are allowing you to hold competitions in licensed establishments”. So the NSAWA wrote up the regulations and the N.S.A.W.A. became the only organization authorized by the Nova Scotia Liquor and Gaming Commission to host arm wrestling competitions in licensed establishments.

With legitimacy established, the sport flourished. Within a few years, over a dozen tournaments were being held annually, each drawing between 80 and 100 competitors. Venues were packed with enthusiastic fans, cheering for their local favorites and booing out-of-town challengers.

The First Provincial Championships

In October 1986, the N.S.A.W.A. hosted its first official Provincial Championships at the Atlantic Winter Fair in Halifax. This was an open event, allowing competitors from outside the province to participate. A dominant New Brunswick team claimed victory in 6 of the 10 weight classes. However, Nova Scotia retaliated the following year, winning 9 of 10 classes at the New Brunswick Provincial Championships. Since then, both provinces have restricted their championships to local competitors.

A Legacy of Excellence

Since its inception, the N.S.A.W.A. has organized over 250 competitions across the province, from Yarmouth to Glace Bay, Bridgewater to Amherst, and many towns in between. Nova Scotia has become a powerhouse in the sport, drawing top competitors from across Atlantic Canada. The province has hosted the Canadian Armwrestling Championships three times—Halifax in 1994 and 2017, and Sydney in 2023.

Nova Scotia athletes have consistently excelled at the national level, winning multiple championships across all categories, from junior to Grand Masters, and accumulating over 150 national titles. In 2017, Nova Scotia secured the overall team title for the first time—a remarkable achievement for a province with a comparatively small population.

Additionally, Nova Scotia boasts three recipients of the John Miazdzyk Award, the highest honor bestowed annually by the Canadian Armwrestling Federation for contributions to the sport: Rick Pinkney (1992), Scott MacInnis (2005), and Mark MacPhail (2023).

The Present and Future of Arm Wrestling in Nova Scotia

Today, the N.S.A.W.A. organizes six sanctioned tournaments annually, along with several local competitions and the Provincial Championships. While early tournaments featured open weight classes—where newcomers could face seasoned champions—the competition format has evolved. Now, competitors are divided into amateur and pro categories, ensuring fairer matchups. While the “pro” designation doesn’t signify professionalism in the traditional sense, it distinguishes top-tier athletes from beginners, making for more competitive and engaging events.

If you’re interested in competing or hosting an Armwrestling tournament, contact us through the details listed on our homepage. Whether you’re a seasoned athlete or a newcomer eager to test your strength and skill, the N.S.A.W.A. welcomes you.