Ultimate Armwrestling League Brings Top Contenders Together in Newport Beach, California for Massive Event

HUNTINGTON BEACH, CA--(Marketwired - Aug 10, 2014) - Contenders from across the U.S., along with international teams from Canada and as far away as Brazil, came to Southern California to battle it out in UAL8, the biggest-money tournament in the history of the Ultimate Armwrestling League (www.theual.com). Competing in both left-and-right-handed matches in six weight classes for men and two for women, a field of more than 400 pullers participated in more than 1,000 individual matches at Ten Night Club in Newport Beach, which was converted into a world-class sports arena for the event. Neil Pickup's match-by-match color commentary had the capacity crowd on their feet from beginning to end, and when it was all over, winners in 16 separate classes were declared, along with Top Team and Match of the Day. The tournament was sponsored by Optimum First Mortgage, Huntington Beach Ford, and Mike Thompson's RV Super Stores, and throughout the day, Mike Thompson RV Super Stores laid down additional cash prizes for randomly-selected matches throughout the tournament, bringing the overall prize level to more than $100,000.

While each class presented worthy opponents and fierce matches, it was the Men's Super Heavyweight class that brought together arm wrestling legend John Brzenk and current UAL World Champion Michael Todd in face-to-face competition. Emotions were at their highest point as the two mammoth pullers faced off against one another for both the left-handed and right-handed finals. With $10,000 at stake and the official's call challenged by Todd on the right-handed match, league founder Robert Drenk told the crowd that an Instant Replay review of the match would be watched, with Head Official and UAL co-owner Bill Collins making the final call. Minutes later John Brzenk was declared the winner, making him tops in the Super Heavyweight class, both right-and-left-handed.

"These pullers came here today and brought their very best game," said Drenk, himself a former puller who founded the UAL four years ago. "We owe them, and this sport, the best competition experience possible, which is why we have multiple cameras on each match. Todd and Brzenk gave us one of the best matches I have ever seen, and the sport is infinitely better for having them in it."

Dan Bellefeuille from Parry Sound, Ontario, Canada, drove away in the brand-new 2014 Ford Mustang that was awarded in a random drawing in which competitors received entry tickets based on match wins throughout the day. Swedish arm wrestling champion Sarah Backman, made her official return to arm wrestling following her departure from the WWE, and took first place in the women's right-and-left-handed Open classes.

A cash prize of $5,000 was presented to the Top Team, Eight's Enough (Captain: John Brzenk), and Match of the Day awarded $1,000 to winner Michael Todd, in a stunning victory over Jerry Cadorette. First through third-place winners in each category are listed below, along with purse amounts. Top ten placers in each class can be found at www.theual.com.

MEN'S RIGHT FEATHERWEIGHT

1. SAM HARRIS ($2000)
2. VAZGEN SOGHOYAN ($1000)
3. ETHAN FRITSCHE ($750)

MEN'S LEFT FEATHERWEIGHT

1. STEPHANE HEROUX ($1,000)
2. BRAD SPINE ($750)
3. SAM HARRIS ($500)

MEN'S RIGHT LIGHTWEIGHT

1. COREY MILLER ($2000)
2. TONY KITOWSKI ($1000)
3. BRANDON DYE ($750)

MEN'S LEFT LIGHTWEIGHT

1. COREY MILLER ($1,000)
2. TONY KITOWSKI ($750)
3. PAUL BELLUZ ($500)

MEN'S RIGHT MIDDLEWEIGHT

1. JUSTIN BISHOP ($2000)
2. ANTHONY DALL'ANTONIA ($1000)
3. EDUARDO CARLOS RODRIGUES TIETE ($750)

MEN'S LEFT MIDDLEWEIGHT

1. ANTHONY DALL'ANTONIA ($1,000)
2. LUIS NAZAR ($750)
3. STORM CHELLINO ($500)

MEN'S RIGHT LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT

1. TODD HUTCHINGS ($2000)
2. ALLEN FORD ($1000)
3. ROB VIGEANT JR ($750)

MEN'S LEFT LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT

1. TODD HUTCHINGS ($1,000)
2. RYAN CLARK ($750)
3. ROB VIGEANT JR ($500)

MEN'S RIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT

1. MARCIO BARBOSA ($2000)
2. CHRIS CHANDLER ($1000)
3. MATT MASK ($750)

MEN'S LEFT HEAVYWEIGHT

1. MARCIO BARBOSA ($1,000)
2. RON BATH ($750)
3. CHRIS CHANDLER ($500)

MEN'S RIGHT SUPER HEAVYWEIGHT

1. JOHN BRZENK ($10,000)
2. MICHAEL TODD ($1,000)
3. JERRY CADORETTE ($750)

MEN'S LEFT SUPER HEAVYWEIGHT

1. JOHN BRZENK ($1,000)
2. MICHAEL TODD ($750)
3. MIKE GOULD ($500)

WOMEN'S RIGHT LIGHT WEIGHT

1. MICHELLE SMART ($2000)
2. LISA WOLFLEY ($500)
3. LAURA COOK ($250)

WOMEN'S LEFT LIGHT WEIGHT

1. MARGIE CIACCIO ($500)
2. MICHELLE SMART ($250)
3. VALERIE BEACH ($100)

WOMEN'S RIGHT OPEN

1. SARAH BACKMAN ($2000)
2. KRYSTA PRIOR ($500)
3. NICOLE CISCO ($250)

WOMEN'S LEFT OPEN

1. SARAH BACKMAN ($500)
2. KRYSTA PRIOR ($250)
3. NICOLE CISCO ($100)