John Richard Brzenk (born July 15, 1964) is a former professional armwrestler from the United States of America who is often referred to as "the greatest armwrestler of all time". Over his career, he has won more than 500 championship titles.
Biography and accomplishments John Brzenk's father, John Brzenk Sr., was an arm wrestler, and Brzenk says he gained some of his forearm size through genetics.
Brzenk started his amateur career in the classroom, where he arm wrestled students across tables for five years. When he was in eighth grade, he broke his arm while armwrestling his father's friend, and has stated that this breakage increased his tendon strength significantly. Over the years, Brzenk has often been called "The Giant Crusher", "The Golden Boy", "G.O.A.T.", and the "Perfect Storm" for his ability to pin opponents twice his size.
Brzenk started his professional career in 1982, at the age of 18, where he won his first world title on ABC's 1983 Wide World of Sports. From 1982 to 2015, he only lost a single supermatch, and only a handful of people had beaten him in tournaments. Most of these losses occurred later during that time, when he was older. Two of his most prominent losses were to Alexey Voyevoda in 2004 and Devon Larratt in 2008, both of whom are considered legendary arm wrestlers.
Aside from arm wrestling, Brzenk works as a mechanic at Delta Air Lines. He says the job is non-physical so his arms get plenty of rest.
During his career he has competed for upwards of US$80,000.
Brzenk won championships in a number of different weight classes, including four world championships in the heavyweight division, and the middleweight world championship.
He also had an uncredited cameo in the 1987 Sylvester Stallone film Over the Top, and was the subject of the feature documentary Pulling John, directed by Vassiliki Khonsari and Sevan Matossian. The documentary chronicles Brzenk's legendary arm wrestling career by following him intimately for four years, during which he competes in global tournaments and ponders retiring from the sport he loves.
After defeating Marcio Barboza in the 2015 WAL Heavyweight Right-Handed Championship, Brzenk took an extended period of time off from armwrestling due to injuries.
Arm wrestling comeback
In 2018, Brzenk lost an attempted comeback match against Travis Bagent in Moldova. On July 31, 2021, Brzenk returned to arm wrestling full time by defeating Chance Shaw in a supermatch. On December 11 of the same year, Brzenk faced right-handed heavyweight title holder Devon Larratt at King of the Table 2 (KOTT 2). Despite Brzenk defeating Larratt in one of his most recent matches before his layoff from armwrestling, a bigger, stronger Larratt proved to be too much for Brzenk, who lost by a score of 4–0.
On February 10, 2022, Brzenk made his debut at the international arm wrestling tournament East vs West 2 by defeating Khadzimurat Zoloev. This win allowed him to reclaim, at the age of 57, the world's top ranking in the 225 pound division. On May 21, at East vs West 3, Brzenk had a match against Zurab Tavberidze. Brzenk won this match by a score of 3–2.
On August 6, 2022, at East vs West 4, Brzenk was defeated in a right-handed supermatch with Kazakhstan armwrestler Kydyrgali Ongarbaev. On November 19 of the same year, in the next installment of East vs West, Brzenk defeated Oleg Petrenko in a right-handed supermatch in dominant fashion, 3–0.
On January 21, 2023, Brzenk participated in a fifth consecutive installment of East vs West, losing a hard-fought supermatch to Irakli Zirakashvili by a score of 3–2. The next month, on February 25, Brzenk had his toughest test to date, a match at KOTT 6 against Super Heavyweight Denis Cyplenkov, the former world #1 who had not had a match in four years due to health issues. Despite the long layoff, Cyplenkov did not look like he had lost any of his physical or table ability, defeating Brzenk by an almost effortless 6–0 score. On August 12, 2023, Brzenk lost 0–4 to Todd Hutchings at the AWC Reloaded event.
On September 23, 2023, Brzenk went against Alexey Voyevoda at King of the Table 8. This was a rematch of their historic first match in 2004, which Voyevoda won. Circumstances were different this time, as Voyevoda had not competed in years and was not as dominant as he had been. Brzenk won the match 4–2.
Brzenk announced his retirement after his match against Yoshinobu Kanai.
Physical statistics Height: 5'11" Weight: Varies between 190 and 253 lbs, depending on competition classes Style: Varies Biceps: 18.25in Forearm: Right: 16.5in Left: 13.5in
Notable matches
Year Opponent Result Hand Outcome Event2025Yoshinobu KanaiLossRight hand0-3East vs West 172024Leonidas ArkonaWonRight hand3-0East vs West 142024Krasimir KostadinovLossRight hand0-3East vs West 112023Sasho AndreevLossRight hand0-5East vs West 102023Alexey VoevodaWonRight hand4-2KOTT 82023Todd HutchingsLossRight hand0-4AWC Fight Night 22023Denis CyplenkovLossRight hand0-6KOTT 62023Irakli ZirakashviliLossRight hand2-3East vs West 62022Oleg PetrenkoWonRight hand3-0East vs West 52022Kydyrgali OngarbaevLossRight hand1-3East vs West 42022Corey WestWonRight hand3-2Monster Factory 22022Zurab TavbaridzeWonRight hand3-2East vs West 32022Pavlo DerbedyenyevWonRight hand3-0Kentucky Muscle 20222022Engin TerziWonRight hand3-0Hardanger Open 20222022Khadzimurat ZoloevWonRight hand3-0East vs West 22021Devon Larratt LossRight hand0-4KOTT 22021Paul LinnWonRight hand3-0Virginia State Championships2021Dmitriy KachanWonRight hand3-0Texas State Championships2021Chance Shaw WonRight hand3-1Dave Patton Classic2019Derek SmithWonRight hand3-0NAL Qualifier 20192018Sergey PatrikeevWonRight hand2-1WEA Grand Prix 20182018Petro MarharintLossRight hand0-2WEA Grand Prix 20182018Aliaksandr YankovskiWonRight hand2-0WEA Grand Prix 20182018Travis BagentLossRight hand0-2Moldova Open Cup 22016Yoshinobu KanaiLossRight hand0-22016 Japan Open in Sendai2015Andrey PushkarLossRight hand0-3A1 Russian Open 20152015Khadzhimurat ZoloevWonRight hand3-0A1 Russian Open 20152015Soslan GassievWonRight hand2-0A1 Russian Open 20152015Marcio BarbozaWonRight hand2-0WAL Championships2015Devon LarrattWonRight hand2-1WAL Championships2015Matt MaskWonRight hand2-0WAL Western Region2015Tom NelsonWonRight hand2-0WAL Western Region2015Tom NelsonWonLeft hand2-0WAL Western Region2015Matt MaskWonLeft hand2-0WAL Western Region2015Matt MaskWonRight hand3-2UAL 92015Marcio BarbozaWonRight hand2-0WAL Championship2015Devon LarrattWonRight hand6-0WAL Championship2014Michael ToddWonRight hand2-0UAL 82014Dave ChaffeeWonRight hand2-0A1 Russian Open 20142014Andrey PushkarLossRight hand0-3A1 Russian Open 20142014Alexey SemerenkoWonRight hand2-0A1 Russian Open 20142013Ryan EspeyWonLeft hand4-1Mayhem in the Mall 20132013Marcio BarbozaLossLeft hand0-2UAL 42013Marcio BarbozaWonRight hand2-0UAL 42013Krasimir KostadinovLossRight hand0-5Super Matches in Turkey2012Vasilli DautashviliLossRight hand2-4PAL Armfight #412012Terence OppermanWonRight hand5-1PAL Armfight #412012Dmitry TrubinLossRight hand0-6PAL Armfight #412012Chris ChandlerWonLeft hand5-1UAL Demons of Destruction2011Terence OppermanWonRight hand4-2South Africa 20112011Terence OppermanDrawLeft hand3-3South Africa 20112011Chris ChandlerWonRight hand2-0UAL 22011Adis TurcinhodzicWonRight hand2-0UAL 22010Jerry CadoretteLossRight hand1-2UAL 12010Rob Vigeant JrWonRight hand2-0UAL 12010Chris ChandlerWonLeft hand2-0UAL 12010Rob Vigeant JrWonLeft hand2-0UAL 12010Arsen LilievLossRight hand2-3Istanbul International Friendship Night II2009Ron BathWonRight hand3-02009 ROTN2009Rob Vigeant JrWonRight hand2-02009 ROTN2009Travis BagentLossLeft hand2-32009 ROTN2009Tom NelsonWonLeft hand2-02009 ROTN2009Denis CyplenkovWonRight hand5-1PAL Armfight #372009Tim BresnanWonRight hand3-0NEAC VI2008Michael ToddWonRight hand6-0Arm Wars "Deep Water"2008Devon LarrattLossRight hand0-6Arm Wars "Deep Water"2008Dmitry KochievWonRight hand4-2PAL Armfight #342007Andrey PushkarWonRight hand2-0Nemiroff World Cup 20072007Ion OncescuWonLeft hand2-0Nemiroff World Cup 20072007Taras IvakinWonRight hand4-2PAL Armfight #302007Ion OncescuWonRight hand5-1PAL Armfight #292007Giorgi GelashviliWonLeft hand2-02007 Mohegan Sun2007Marcio BarbozaWonRight hand3-0NAL/Vyotech II2006Andrey PushkarWonRight hand6-0PAL Armfight #272006Travis BagentWonRight hand2-12006 JAWA Special East Tournament Match2006Yoshinobu KanaiWonRight hand2-02006 JAWA Special East Tournament Match2006Shigeki KanaiWonRight hand2-02006 JAWA Special East Tournament Match2005Alexey SemerenkoWonRight hand5-1PAL Armfight #172005Todd HutchingsWonRight hand2-0Superstar Showdown 22005Taras IvakinWonRight hand4-2PAL Armfight #152005Travis BagentLossRight hand0-2Ultimate Armwrestling II2005Todd HutchingsWonRight hand2-0Ultimate Armwrestling II2004Devon LarrattWonRight hand2-0SuperStar Showdown2004Alexey VoevodaLossRight hand0-1 (Elimination)Zloty Tur Cup2003Yoshinobu KanaiWonRight hand2-12003 JAWA Special Match1999Ron BathWonRight hand1-0WAF Worlds 19991999Devon LarrattWonRight hand1-0WAF Worlds 19991983Dave PattonLossRight hand2-0N/A
Achievements +Key Symbol Description L Left hand R Right hand
A1 Russian Open 2015 – R-2nd Place 2014 – R-3rd Place
AAA Stand-Up National 1984 – R200 lbs 1985 – R185 lbs 1986 – R220 lbs 1990 – R220 lbs
Arnold Classic 2006 – R199+ 2007 – R199+
AWI World 1986 – Pro Super Heavyweight 1987 – Pro Light Heavyweight 1988 – Pro Light Heavyweight 1995 – Pro Light Heavyweight 2001 – Pro Super Heavyweight
Carling O’Keefe International 1989 – R 200 lbs, R 231+ lbs
Forsa Tropical International 1998 – R198 lbs, R243+ lbs, L198 lbs
GNC Pro Performance 2002 – R198 lbs
GOLDEN BEAR SUPERMATCH (Absolut Champion) R1994 Pro tournament R90+ kg: 1990, 1994, 1998 R90 kg: 1990
Harley Pull 2000 – R220 lbs + Harley Winner 2001 – R220 lbs 2002 – R198 lbs, L198 lbs 2009 – R225 lbs, L225 lbs + Harley Winner
Main Event 1998 – R220 lbs
Mike Gould Classic 2006 – R220 lbs, L220 lbs 2010 – R220 lbs
Mohegan Sun PAC World 2005 – R198 lbs, L198 lbs 2006 – R242 lbs, R243+ lbs 2007 – R198 lbs, L198 lbs
Over the Top 1986 – Winner of Truckers Division in Heavyweight class
Reno Reunion 1999 – R200 lbs, R230 lbs, R231+ lbs, L200 lbs 2000 – R198 lbs, R242 lbs, R243+ lbs, L198 lbs, L242 lbs 2001 – R198 lbs, R242 lbs, R243+ lbs, L198 lbs 2002 – R198 lbs, R242 lbs, R243+ lbs, L198 lbs, L242 lbs 2003 – R233+ lbs 2006 – R242 lbs, R243+ lbs 2006 – R242 lbs, R243+ lbs
ROTN 2007 – R215 lbs, L215 lbs 2008 – R242 lbs, L242 lbs 2009 – R199+ lbs
Sands International Wrist Wrestling/Armwrestling 1988 – R190 lbs 1989 – R190 lbs, R215 lbs
Sherkston Beaches International 1987 – R200 lbs, R201+ lbs
SuperStar Showdown 2004 – R199+ lbs 2005 – R198 lbs
Ultimate Armwrestling (Las Vegas) 2004 – R242 lbs 2005 – R198 lbs, L198 lbs 2006 – R242 lbs, R243+ lbs
Ultimate Armwrestling League 2011 – R200 lbs
USAA National Pro-Am 1996 – R200 lbs, R201+ lbs 1997 – R198 lbs, R242 lbs, R243+ lbs, L198 lbs 1998 – R242 lbs, R243+ lbs 1999 – R198 lbs, R242 lbs, R243+ lbs, L198 lbs, L242 lbs 2000 – R242 lbs, R243+ lbs, L242 lbs, L243+ lbs 2001 – R242 lbs, R243+ lbs, L242 lbs, L243+ lbs 2002 – R198 lbs, R242 lbs, R243+ lbs, L198 lbs, L242 lbs 2003 – R242 lbs, R243+ lbs 2004 – R242 lbs, R243+ lbs, L242 lbs 2005 – R242 lbs 2006 – R242 lbs, R243+ lbs 2007 – R242 lbs, R243+ lbs 2009 – R242 lbs, R243+ lbs, L242 lbs, L243+ lbs 2010 – R242 lbs, R243+ lbs
USAF Unified National 2005 – R220 lbs
WAF World Armwrestling Championship 1999 – L100 kg, R: Supermatch Winner
WAL 2015 – R: Heavyweight Champion
World Wristwrestling Championship (Petaluma) Heavyweight Division R: 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1996, 1998, 2001 Light Heavyweight Division R: 1998, 2001 L: 1998, 2001 Middleweight Division R – 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1996, 1998, 2001 L – 1996, 1998, 2001 Lightweight Division R – 1984
WPAA World