Arm Wrestling: Beauty and Strength Coexist
KUCHING, Oct 22 (Bernama) – There is no denying that arm wrestling is often associated with muscular men because it requires big, ugly biceps. However, for national arm wrestling champion Abigail Kee Zing Ning, 20, the presence of women in the sport is not an obstacle for the feminine gender to highlight their graceful side and prove that beauty and strength can co-exist.
A Champion’s Story
Abigail has been involved in arm wrestling since 2012 and has won 40 medals at national and international-level competitions. She believes that women can be both beautiful and strong, and she is determined to prove it.
"I want to dress up like other women, we are still very feminine, and we still want to be beautiful," she said in an interview with Bernama recently.
Abigail’s father, Dr Stephen Kee Chu Kiong, who was also an arm wrestler in the 90s, encouraged her to carry the torch in the sport. Abigail’s brother, Acho Prince Kee Zing Yang, 18, also caught the arm wrestling bug in 2021.
Siblings Bring Home the Glory
Recently, Abigail and Acho brought glory for the country by winning bronze medals in the right arm above 70-kilogramme (kg) (Under-21) and 86kg (Junior Under-18) categories at the 2024 International Federation of Armwrestling (IFA) Championships in Greece.
"We really thought we came to lose because the body size of foreign athletes was menacing, so I didn’t think we could beat the other bigger participants and get bronze…this is one of our biggest achievements at the international level," said Acho.
More Than Just a Sport
For Abigail, arm wrestling is not just about winning, but about building self-confidence and self-acceptance. She has been involved in the sport since the age of 12 and has found that it has helped her to overcome her introverted personality and accept her body shape.
"I used to always feel that I was fat and lacked confidence…when I took up this sport, the gym training made me physically stronger and I also learned to accept my body shape," she said.
Conclusion
Arm wrestling is a sport that requires strength, strategy, and mental endurance. While it may be perceived as a masculine sport, Abigail and Acho’s story shows that it is possible for women to excel in the sport and still be beautiful and feminine.
FAQs
Q: What is arm wrestling?
A: Arm wrestling is a sport that involves two competitors holding hands and trying to pin each other’s arm to the table.
Q: Is arm wrestling only for men?
A: No, women can also participate and excel in arm wrestling.
Q: What are the benefits of arm wrestling?
A: Arm wrestling can help improve physical strength, mental endurance, and self-confidence.