No fringe sport seems to rival the exclusive but earnest following that professional arm wrestling has garnered, and Pulling John is a 72-minute explanation of why. Entering the world of competitive professional arm wrestling, we find that there are just as many trash talkers, hot shots, and aging veterans as with any other sport, and they all collide perfectly in this documentary gem.
The documentary's focal point rests on John Brzenk, the reigning arm wrestling champion for over 25 years. John is considering retiring and getting out while he's on top, while out in Virgina, an up-and-coming champion named Travis Bagent is stealing the spotlight. Travis is a big talker who has a victory record to back it up, and more than anything he wants a match with his hero and icon, John Brzenk. Meanwhile, a Russian champion, Alexy Voevoda, trains in the Ukraine in hopes of besting Travis, who he lost to in a previous match. The fate of the three athletes rests on their rigorous exercises, their confidence (and sometimes arrogance), the support of their friends and family, and most importantly, their mental strength to face the wrestling matches of their lives.
It's a short film, just barely over an hour, but it's an educating and amusing look at the world of arm wrestling and the crazy guys who inhabit it. It might be a good film to watch before arm wrestling becomes an official Olympic sport in the 2012 games. That's not a joke; it actually is going to be an official sport next year, which may or may not be beneficial. I mean, now the thumb wrestlers may come forward and demand their Olympic spot. It's a slippery slope if you ask me.
(img source= qubmovies.com
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