Once a playground test of brawn and bravado, arm wrestling is muscling its way into the African sporting spotlight — and it’s doing so with style, strength, and serious ambition.
At the heart of this movement is Ghana, a nation that stunned the continent with its dominance during the sport’s historic debut at the 13th African Games in March 2024.
Read Also: NSC Sends Prayers and Praise as Taiwo Awoniyi Battles Injury After Premier League Collision
From Accra’s buzzing arenas to international podiums, African “pullers” — the official term for arm wrestling athletes — are gripping opportunity with both hands.
From Playground to Podium
“Arm wrestling used to be a way to show who was the strongest in the village,” says Charles Osei Asibey, the dynamic president of the Armwrestling Federation of Africa (AFA). “We’ve transformed it into a professional sport.”
That transformation began with Asibey’s bold vision after being elected in 2022: make arm wrestling a household sport across Africa.
Just two years later, the sport debuted at the African Games, drawing widespread attention — and more importantly, medals.
Ghana topped the overall medal tally with 41, while Egypt snatched more golds to lead the table.
Yet the Ghanaian performance was unforgettable, especially thanks to powerhouses like Edward Asamoah and Grace Minta, whose performances have become legend in the arm wrestling world.
Meet Africa’s Arm Titans
Asamoah, a member of Ghana’s Immigration Service, took gold in both left and right 90kg bouts.
“The journey hasn’t been smooth — there were injuries, money issues — but I stayed determined,” he says. That determination paid off.
Then there’s Minta, the unstoppable police officer who, just months after winning double gold at the African Games, became Ghana’s first World Armwrestling Champion in Moldova.
“I want to inspire the youth,” she says. “This sport can change lives.”
Technique Over Muscle
Unlike the brute-force image many associate with arm wrestling, success in the sport hinges on strategy and finesse. Pullers adopt styles like the toproll — using wrist pronation and back-leaning leverage — or the hook, which emphasizes raw inside power and wrist supination.
“A lightweight with speed and brains can beat a heavier opponent,” says Asibey, who only retired recently from competition. “It’s not just about strength. It’s about smart pulling.”
Chasing the Olympic Dream
The African continent has its eyes on the Olympics — and Asibey is leading the charge. Despite missing out on inclusion in the 2028 Paralympics, the World Armwrestling Federation (WAF), where Asibey serves as a vice-president, is pushing hard for future Olympic recognition.
“There’s no turning back,” he asserts. “We’re going to keep pushing — and we’ll get there.”
For now, the focus is on securing arm wrestling’s return at the 2027 African Games in Cairo and attracting the corporate sponsors needed to fuel Africa’s rise in the sport.
With leaders like Asibey, champions like Minta and Asamoah, and an army of hungry young pullers rising from all corners of the continent, one thing is clear: African arm wrestling is only just getting warmed up.
Watch this space — the next global champion might just be training in a Ghanaian schoolyard right now.
