PEI Muscle Crunch 2009’
Prince Edward Island is usually known for its warm waters, delicious lobster, world-class theatre, and music – not to mention the friendliest people anywhere. Lucy Maud Montgomery’s famous ‘Anne’ character, fields of lupines, fishing boats, gorgeous beaches, and amazing red cliffs are the usual visions most tourists have when they think of Canada’s Island Paradise. But this idyllic coastal destination is also home to a sports mad population. It’s a hockey hotbed and home to some famous NHL’ers like Murray Harbour’s own Brad Richard’s. The island is also well known for its Standard-bred horse racing industry and its love of curling, so what’s all the buzz about a National Championships coming to Summerside June 26th-28th, 2009? We know the Canada Games are set for this summer, but something special is attracting some of Canada’s biggest and meanest competitor’s ever to grace the Birthplace of Confederation- and it’s not a major tournament featuring home-grown golfing phenomenon, Laurie Kane. You’ve heard of the ‘Rumble in the Jungle’…Now get ready for ‘PEI Muscle Crunch 2009’!
The City of Summerside is proud to host this year’s Canadian National Arm Wrestling Championships and it promises to rock the island from Tignish to Souris. PEI is home to Charlie McGeoghegan, 2003 world arm wrestling champion, lobster fisherman, and sitting member of the PEI Legislature. The thirty-something father of three is looking forward to competing on home turf and the competition promises to be a colourful event fuelled by tense competition in all weight classes, unlimited testosterone, and lots of great PEI Lobster, not to mention mussels!
The biggest Canadian biceps from coast to coast to coast are descending upon Summerside at the end of June to battle it out in Paradise. Charlie McGeoghegan and the McGeogehan brothers are ready to take on the country. Hauling lobster traps every May and June on the Northumberland Strait is the perfect work-out and the Irishmen from eastern PEI are determined to show no mercy. “Canada’s best will be fighting for top spot and it’s going to get rough”, says McGeoghegan (PEI politician/lobster fisherman & 2003 World Champ).
Truth be told, Charlie McGeoghegan is one of the nicest and most mild mannered family men you will ever meet. He will be joined in the competition this year by two of his younger brothers, both determined to give their older brother a run for his money. And one other McGeoghegan male will be fighting for top prize in his very first arm wrestling competition. Eight year old Stephen McGeoghegan has his father’s fighting spirit and is looking forward to rolling up his sleeves to take on the country’s best biceps in the youth category. They start young on PEI and hauling lobster traps with his father and uncles has been the perfect training routine for the young Islander from the Belfast area thirty minutes east of Charlottetown.
Charlie McGeoghegan has always had a competitive spirit and a passion for helping his community. The former head of the PEI Fisherman’s Association’s Central Northumberland Strait chapter decided to take a leap of faith in 2007 and run for MLA in his district of Belfast-Murray River. An initial close loss to former premier Pat Binns was one of the few Liberal losses in the last election, but the seat was soon up for by-election when the former premier accepted the prestigious position of Canadian Ambassador to Ireland. McGeoghegan won the seat on his second attempt and now enjoys the challenges of political life. “I love my community and am trying my best and working hard to make eastern PEI a better place to live”, says the 2003 World Arm Wrestling champ.
McGeoghegan has always been an advocate for the sport that was celebrated in ancient Egypt. Early paintings on tomb walls are believed to date back to 2000 BC. The sport was also thought to have been introduced to the North American settlers by Native Americans and Saloons of the old west were often the venue for informal matches between patrons. What might have started as a bar room form of entertainment has evolved into a serious sport that many feel deserves the support and recognition of more mainstream sports.
A serious arm wrestling competitor requires the same ability to outwit his opponent as any top athlete and strategy is as important as physical power. Moves like the shoulder roll, the top roll, the post, and the hook are popular approaches, but most die-hard wrestlers bring their own special style to the table.
A match is filled with tension and excitement as both competitors step up to the table to stare each other down before hands are clasped. The sport has all the adrenaline and testosterone of any boxing match, but no one is ever in danger of serious injury, which is difficult to say of other more accepted sports that test physical strength in a one-to-one battle. This fact is one more reason why its followers believe it should be awarded Olympic status.
‘PEI Muscle Crunch 2009’ is an opportunity for the best Canadian biceps to come together and demonstrate their individual techniques and amazing power. All weight classes will be represented and youth and disabled participants will be testing out their muscles at Credit Union Place in Summerside. The McGeoghegan Clan encourages everyone to come out and cheer on the best biceps from coast to coast to coast. The testosterone and adrenaline will be flowing at the end of June on Canada’s Island Paradise. Combine the wits needed for chess, the nerves for professional poker, and the raw power of boxing- And you have the ancient sport of arm wrestling.
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