A British grandad has become one of the world's best arm-wrestlers - after only taking up the sport three years ago.<br /><br />Mark Waldon, 53, discovered professional arm wrestling in lockdown and is now competing at an international level.<br /><br />He joined Milton Keynes Arm Wrestling Club after researching how to get involved with the sport online.<br /><br />His first few bouts ended in heavy defeat, but six-months into his arm wrestling career it was clear he was a special talent.<br /><br />And, earlier this month, Mark won gold while representing Team GB at the International Federation of Arm Wrestling (IFA) European Championships in Finland.<br /><br />Mark, from Flitwick, Bedfordshire, said: "I'd been training nearly 40 years in the gym before taking up the sport.<br /><br />"It was a challenge to begin with, but I started training the specific muscles you need, and immediately started seeing results.<br /><br />"To be able to say now that I'm a European gold medallist feels pretty special!"<br /><br />During the pandemic, Mark contracted covid and then pneumonia.<br /><br />He was ill for months, and at one point believed he wouldn't live to tell the tale. <br /><br />While in bed recovering, he started looking at videos of arm wrestling on YouTube and decided when he got better, it was something he wanted to pursue.<br /><br />Mark recovered in May 2020, and, as soon as restrictions were lifted, joined Milton Keynes Arm Wrestling Club.<br /><br />At first, he was losing every wrestle, and Mark says he quickly discovered his strong physique wasn't enough to bring him success. <br /><br />After six-months of arm wrestling, it became clear Mark was a special talent.<br /><br />He started competing all over the country in national tournaments, and turned pro in May 2021.<br /><br />The dad-of-one was recording win after win, and was subsequently accepted by the IFA to represent the Great British arm wrestling team. <br /><br />Along with a team of 30 others, he entered the IFA Wrestling Worlds Competition in France in September, 2022.<br /><br />He placed fourth in the under 105kg category and the 50-60 age category, otherwise known as the grand masters, in both the left and right arm competition.<br /><br />He was disappointed to miss out on a podium position, but refused to be disheartened, and got back in the gym.<br /><br />And, earlier this month, he won gold in the same categories in the right arm competition at the IFA European Championships in Finland.<br /><br />Mark says his father's recent passing is what motivated him to win, and has dedicated his victory to him.
