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By Samuel Peters
When Daniel Antonio first set up an arm wrestling table on Redcliffe Street in front of Digicel back in 2021, barely two people would stop to compete. Fast forward to 2025, and the landscape has transformed dramatically. Everyone is now fighting for a chance to get on the table, a testament to the remarkable growth of arm wrestling in Antigua and Barbuda.
Antonio, the island’s only professional arm wrestler and a nominee for 2026 Sportsman of the Year, has single-handedly spearheaded the Caribbean arm wrestling movement. His journey from lonely street demonstrations to international podiums represents not just personal achievement, but the birth of a sporting revolution in the region.
“We started from 2021 having our first tables on Redcliffe Street, arm wrestling the public where we’d be there all afternoon and probably arm wrestling only two people,” Antonio recalls. “People were afraid of arm wrestling. Now we’re in 2025 and everyone is fighting to be on the table. I definitely see a growth within the comfort levels of the public. They now trust the sport, they see the benefits of the sport, they see the fun and entertainment aspect of arm wrestling.”
His credentials speak volumes about his commitment to excellence. As Antigua and Barbuda’s sole professional arm wrestler, he has competed on stages across the globe, representing his nation with distinction in Puerto Rico, Dubai, Mexico, Bulgaria, Argentina, and Costa Rica. His trophy cabinet includes gold medals at the North American Championship in Costa Rica on both arms, and gold on his left arm in Argentina. Perhaps most impressively, he placed sixth in the world in his weight category in Bulgaria, facing off against world champions and continental champions.
The influence he has garnered extends beyond the country’s shores. Trinidad was inspired by his videos on Instagram and followed suit, starting their own club. When the two countries finally faced off, Antigua and Barbuda brought in two Canadian master referees to ensure international standards, sending a clear message that the hosts were serious about professional arm wrestling. The result? Antigua and Barbuda dominated, defending home turf and establishing itself as the region’s premier arm wrestling destination.
Brothers in Armz, a group in which Antonio is key member, has organised another event called the ‘Top 8 Tournament” which promises to be an electrifying evening of strength and skill as Antigua’s premier armwrestlers converge on December 27th at the Villa Polyclinic Community Center from 6pm to 9pm, featuring the country’s elite armwrestlers competing across three weight divisions.
The event showcases the best eight competitors from the approximately 50-member club, with both right and left arm competitions featured.The three divisions to be contested are the Light Weight, Middle Weight and Heavy Weight Divisions.
Some the talents that will be on display are Nathaniel Cotton, Omari Laird, Nivron Brown and Anthony Soriano-Franco. Tickets are priced at $20 for adults and $10 for children all proceeds will go towards the North American Championship travel fund slated for Canada in March 2026.
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