Amateurs at MGC

[Deleted]

I'm a much bigger beleiver in the first scenerio. I do not like to see guys who have been setting up for years at the table pulling in the ams vs newbies that have little clue and no comfort at the table. They end up getting killed just on the set up and get discouraged cuz they think they are getting out powered. I agree 100% with u Jeff. Ultimatly it is much better for the growth of the sport if experienced pullers pull pro, regardless of strength level. However I realize that this is next to impossible to enforce, and the line is thin and the grey area is huge.

[Nik Straub]

Jeff Penney, the academic of armwrestling. Nice theoretical approaches Jeff!

[Jerry Milne]

The Mike Gould Classic amateurs is simply not for new pullers. If that were the case, he'd have Pro, Amateur and Novice.

Pro's are for people who regularly finish top 3 in tourneys and are ranked like top 10.

Amateurs isn't about length of time in the sport, it's about where the person is at. Some people make gains quicker than others due to the team they're training with, weight room time or simply the amount of time they devote to the sport.

You can have a 5 year puller who casually trains vs a hardcore 2 year individual. The 2 year individual may be at a higher level of competition due to natural skill and good training methods.

I say Mike Gould or whomever is accepting the sheets (Becky?) should be able to sort out any issues with Pro's trying to sneak into amateurs.

After all, the amateurs will be tough too.

[Hugh Brodie]

Even though I've been pulling for a few years, I would simply get crushed in the Pro class (and probably still will in the Amateur class). I would love to see a additional Novice class (as there was in Peterborough) - for true novices - but the additional paperwork and the (probable) low numbers in Novice/Amateur due to the split would probably count that idea out.

[Deleted]

I think what you would find Hugh is that those same ones would be trying to pull both??? Its a tough call with no real guidelines. I hear the same issues south of the border. What do they do across the pond? I dont think they even have amateur or am I wrong. If we complain too much that may happen here as well. It comes to a point where we either have to man up or shut up. But if someone doesnt man up, well it is not always the promoter who can do something about it. Try being on that side of the fence.
I have seen people saying to Mike that they wont attend if they have to pull pro? YOu need entries in order for this thing to fly and not cost Mike another mortgage. Mike likes everyone and wants to see them attend. I ran into this even in Peterborough. It is not all cut and dried.
THANKS MIKE FOR PUTTING ON THIS MOST SPECTACULAR EVENT, IN OUR OWN BACKYARD where we have an opportunity to have the best in the world come to our house!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I hope it is at least profitable for him so he will want to do it again. Otherwise you will have to travel to Kansas City or Ohio in future. And I still dont think you will get the caliber you will see this weekend.

[Marc Vachon]

And what about those lighter guys?

I am 135. not 140, not 145, and no where near 154. I love arm wrestling, and have been in the sport approaching 3 years. In order for me to compete, I have to pull the 154 guys regularly. Sometimes I do well, other times not so much.

If I were to enter a pro class, what gains could I make? I've though about it a lot, and at one point considered pulling pro. In the amateur class, for those truly amateur guys, I'd probably win. But if I were to go in the Pro class, I think they would probably win...

So where do I end up?

This will be my second MGC. I finished 4th last year in the amateur. I've promised myself if I can finish top 3, I'll pull pro next year... and maybe gain some weight too in the meantime!

[Gil Lesperance]

Maybe Jerry is on to something. What if your option to compete in the amateurs was based on your rank in the ontario or (in Hugh's case) Quebec ranking?
Could it be this simple that if you are in the top ten of the Province, you are clearly not an amateur. All the excuses you can come up with don't apply. Cut and Dry.
We all know that showing up , paying your entry and laying down 2 matches is no fun, being in a stacked class with 12 guys that can put you down without effort is not encouraging, imagine it's your first tournament.

The "Mike Gould" attracts some major names and guys who may place 2nd or third in most tournaments may not place in the top 6, but don't you want to know how you stack up against the best? How often do you get this chance.

Huge thanks to Mike for puting on such a great show and giving many of us the chance to meet and learn from the best out there.

[silverback]

I say no more amateur. If your new than talk to some guys and we'll tell you which tourneys to hit first. Lets face it, there are tourneys that are mean't for new comers and there are those like the Gould's that are mean't for the more seasoned pullers. How can I put this in a better way, oh yeah, its like showing up to McDonald's when your on a diet, it just doesn't make any sense. Everyone knows what they are capable of doing and those who choose to go to the Ontarios, or the Goulds or the nationals for example know they can put up a real battle with the top guys. If I see names in the amateur side of the Gould's tourney that shouldn't be there you will hear from me.

Conrad
Team Sudbury

[Jerry Milne]

I like the amateur idea Conrad.

This tournament is drawing the best of the best, including many from the states.

Normally in just about every tourney we attend in Ontario there is no amateur, it's a free for all. But, in this case I think with all the major talent that is coming out, Mike is doing something good offering an amateur class.

[Deleted]

in order for this event to happen with cash payouts, the amateur class is mandatory. i bet 40-50% of Mike's revenu comes from the amateur class. Take that away and the event will be discontinued, or no payouts. After all its not like the ams would all poney up 50$ to pull. Mike is doing everything right... newbies just must realize that they might get smoked, and learning how to deal with tough losses is armwrestling 101. Like Joe said, this is basically an elite amateur event... the consilation prize for being green and getting ur ass kicked at this event is that you will witness first hand North Americas very best.

[G Ronald]

Mar 24, 2010 11:38:30 GMT -5 silverback said:

I say no more amateur. If your new than talk to some guys and we'll tell you which tourneys to hit first. Lets face it, there are tourneys that are mean't for new comers and there are those like the Gould's that are mean't for the more seasoned pullers. How can I put this in a better way, oh yeah, its like showing up to McDonald's when your on a diet, it just doesn't make any sense. Everyone knows what they are capable of doing and those who choose to go to the Ontarios, or the Goulds or the nationals for example know they can put up a real battle with the top guys. If I see names in the amateur side of the Gould's tourney that shouldn't be there you will hear from me.

Conrad
Team Sudbury

I will be sure to bring ear plugs :-)

[Daylan Thomas]

can you bring me a pair to ronald lol thanks!!!!

[Daylan Thomas]

I have always looked at the MGC as a steping stone if you can pull and win the " elite amateur " it may take you a few years or right away but then you have gained the experience and have gained the skills to advance yourself into the Pro level and like it has been said many times before the " pro level " is only based on payouts if there was no payouts it would be a huge and exciting tournament but just a regular tournament that we compete in all year round. Mike does an amazing job with his tournaments and I don't think there is anything wrong with the way it is ran I love the MGC. If you feel you are not ready to step up and pull for some money then pull in the amateurs and have some fun after all a great man (Mark Zelepa) said once " after all it's just armwrestling " so I think people should just worry what they are pulling and focus one the job at hand amateur or pro the caliber will be huge so hold on to the post grip it and rip it!!!!

[Jeff Oosterveld]

hey Conrad yell all you want I'm still pulling armature

and if theres any thing you should know by now nobody is louder then me at a turny

[Daylan Thomas]

I might want to challenge that my friend!!