Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1526074
7 gozotoday | FRIDAY • 30 AUGUST 2024 PEOPLE including striking and grap- pling, both standing and on the ground. MMA is known for its rigorous demands on physical fitness, mental toughness, and technical skill, making Firuz's transition to arm wrestling par- ticularly impressive. His back- ground in MMA, with its em- phasis on strength, agility, and strategy, likely contributed to his success in arm wrestling. Another notable victory was claimed by Stefan Kole Kos- tic, a Serbian competitor, who won the under 90 kilos catego- ry despite facing challenges in his training regime due to work commitments. The event also anticipated a highly awaited showdown be- tween two top competitors, Ker- stin and Antoine Graham, both of whom are champions in their respective categories. Although they competed in different weight divisions, their potential face-off in the overall category generated considerable excite- ment among spectators. Challenges and Future Prospects While the men's competition saw intense participation, the event's organisers faced chal- lenges in attracting female competitors. The women's competition did not achieve the same level of success, high- lighting an ongoing issue with- in the sport. Despite efforts to include women in arm wres- tling, there has been a notice- able lack of engagement from female athletes. This trend is not unique to Malta; globally, arm wrestling has struggled to attract a signif- icant number of female partici- pants, though interest is slowly growing as awareness of the sport increases. David Apap and other organ- isers remain hopeful that future events will see greater partici- pation from women. They are committed to promoting the sport across all demographics and are exploring ways to make the competitions more accessi- ble and appealing to female ath- letes. While some competitors train year-round, the competition is open to everyone, with no age restrictions. Apap proud- ly mentioned that past partic- ipants ranged in age from their twenties to those as old as 69, highlighting the inclusivity and broad appeal of the sport. As arm wrestling continues to grow in popularity, particularly in Gozo, local enthusiasts like David Apap are optimistic about its future. With more events planned and a steady increase in participants, arm wrestling is on track to become a staple in Mal- ta's sporting calendar. This event not only showcased the raw strength and competitive spirit of its participants but also highlighted the dedication of those working behind the scenes to keep the tradition alive. Mar- salforn, with its enthusiastic au- dience and skilled competitors, proved to be the perfect setting for this resurgence in Maltese arm wrestling. marsalforn, Gozo: A resurgent tradition