It took Jana Abrahamson less than 10 seconds to crush Rick Anderson in a match of brute wrist strength.
In what appeared to be an effortless flick of her wrist, Abrahamson, a 40-year-old Fargo woman and two-time national runner-up at the World Series of Wristwrestling, easily defeated her novice competitor among a beer-sipping, pretzel-munching crowd in West Fargo on Saturday.
The two were among the handful of competitors gathered at the Work Zone for the 2007 North Dakota State Wristwrestling Championships.
For $10, contestants matched up for right- and left-hand battles in weight classes ranging from featherweight to super heavyweight. An average match lasted six seconds.
The prize for winning top honors?
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Bragging rights and a shot at national glory at the 2008 Miller Beer World Invitational Championships on Nov. 10 in Prairie Du Chien, Wis.
Sponsored by Waukon, Iowa-based World National Wristwrestling Association, the tournament pitted competitors against each other in a test of strength and technique.
The association sponsors 400 tournaments annually in 18 states, said president Jerry Halverson, who
has led wristwrestling contests for 37 years.
"A lot of people want to see how strong they are against other people," Halverson said.
"With this, you can legitimately do that and not end up in jail," he said.
While some at the Work Zone came for fun, others were all business in their respective wristwrestling divisions.
Tyler Robles of Fargo, 24, taped up his wrist and invited his parents from Grand Forks to watch him compete.
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Robles said wristwrestling attracted him after he caught a tournament on ESPN.
He said his goal is to qualify for the World Series.
"It's the thrill of it, the adrenaline," Robles said of the activity.
Abrahamson said she started wristwrestling at age 18. A former thrower in track and field at Cavalier High School, wristwrestling and arm wrestling were activities that suited her.
She's seen three people break their arms in arm or wristwrestling matches during her 22-year career.
She said she uses tournaments to educate competitors like Anderson, who is new to the sport.
"I don't like to just rip their arm off. I want to show them some techniques," Abrahamson said.
"It's not just about strength. It's all in the technique."
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Readers can reach Forum reporter Melinda Rogers at (701) 241-5524 Wristwrestlers flaunt flick skills Melinda Rogers 20071014
