Or you want a quick look: Early life[edit]
Devon "No Limits" Larratt (born 24 April 1975) is a Canadian professional armwrestler and a former member of the Canadian Armed Forces.[2][3] Devon Larratt is widely considered to be one of the best arm wrestlers of all time, and is currently the #1 ranked arm-wrestler in North America.[4]
Early life[edit]
Born in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, Devon Larratt's interest in arm wrestling began as an early teenager. Larratt's first opponent was his grandmother, a farmworker, who claimed to be "the best arm-wrestling woman in Alberta." From there, Larratt progressed to competing on the oil fields of western Canada.[5] Larratt joined the Canadian Special Operations Forces Command at the age of 21, where he served with Joint Task Force 2 for sixteen years.[3] He achieved the rank of master corporal and deployed seven times to Afghanistan where he was wounded in action.[6][7] Despite his deployments, Larratt managed to train and compete during his military service, and credits the experience gained at different military bases as a large part of his success.[6] Larratt also competed in judo during his youth.[8]
[external_link_head]Career[edit]
Larratt defeated Krister Jonsson in Japan, at a Worlds event in 1999.[9]
In 2003, at the Ontario Championships, Larratt defeated Robert Graham and Mike Gould.[10]
In 2004, Devon Larratt once again dominated the Ontario Championships, but lost a super match in Chehalis, Washington against John Brzenk.[11][12][13]
In 2006, after returning from a six month deployment in Afghanistan, Larratt defeated Ron Bath 3-1. At this time Ron Bath was ranked #3 in North America, behind John Brzenk and Travis Bagent. Devon Larratt has stated that this was his favorite match, "for a number of reasons", but mostly because of the difficulties and stressors of combat, and the uncertainty of returning to a "normal life". Larratt was shot, and took shrapnel to the hand while deployed.[14]
In 2007, Devon Larratt again defeated Ron Bath, this time with a score of 6-0 at the Trafford center in Manchester, England.[15][16]
[external_link offset=1]Devon Larratt rose to prominence in 2008 after defeating the arm-wrestling legend John Brzenk, 6-0, becoming the first man in twenty five years to beat John Brzenk in a super-match.[17][18] He also beat Marcio Barbazo and Travis Bagent at Arm Wars, defeating them both by the score of 5-1.[19][20]
In 2010, Devon Larratt beat Travis Bagent 5-2, Tim Besnan 5-1, and Don Underwood 4-3, to become the #1 ranked arm-wrestler (both arms).[21][22][23]
In 2011, Devon Larratt defeated former Arnold Classic champion and number one contender, Don Underwood, at Arm Wars to retain the right-hand title.[24] He also defeated Michael Todd and Christophe Ladu.[25] Devon Larratt lost his left-hand title to Travis Bagent at UAL Backyard Brawl, but beat Bagent 3-0 for the right hand title at the same event.[26][27]
In 2012, Devon Larratt defeated Tim Bresnan for the MLA right hand super heavy weight title.[28] In the same year, Larratt defeated Andriy Pushkar at Arm Bet 42, winning 5-1 to win the left hand title.[29]
In 2013, Larratt beat Oleg Zhokh, Wilton Brock, and Eric Woeful at UAL 4 to retain his left hand heavyweight title.[30][31][32][33] He then underwent surgery on both elbows. As a result of the injury, Larratt lost his number one pound-for-pound ranking.[34] He underwent a similar procedure on his left elbow in 2016, but was able to recover much faster, returning to win the WAL championship in the same year.[35][4]
After recovering from surgery, Devon Larratt returned in 2014 to win the WAL left-handed title, defeating Marcio Barboza, 3-0.[36][37] At the same event, Larratt lost the right-handed title to Marcio Barboza 0-3.[38][39]
In 2015, Larratt won the WAL left-hand heavyweight title after Marcio Barboza withdrew (injury).[40] In the WAL right handed semi-finals, Larratt lost to legend John Brzenk. While Larratt won the first game in the straps, Brzenk displayed superior hand control and dominated the next two matches outside of the strap to win 2-1.[41]
In 2016, Larratt returned to peak form, successfully defending his titles against top contenders Marcio Barboza, Ron Bath and Matt Mask.[42][43][44]
In 2017, Larratt once again retained the WAL right-hand and left-hand heavyweight titles by defeating perennial rival Matt Mask.[45][46] Larratt also defended his right-hand legacy hammer against a challenge from "Big Frank" Budelewski at Buffalo Fitness Expo, and left hand hammer against Zhao Zi Rui of China.[47][48]
On May 17, 2018, at WAL 402, Larratt defeated American super heavyweight "Big Daddy" Jerry Cadorette, 3-2, in a right handed supermatch.[49][50] At WAL 405, Larratt defeated Matt Mask 3-1.[51] At WAL 406, Larratt lost the right-hand championship to Michael Todd.[52] Later that year, during ArmFight 50, Larratt lost a left handed super match against Ukrainian arm-wrestling legend Denis Cyplenkov, in which Cyplenkov won 6-0.[53] After the match, Larratt said Cyplenkov was most likely "25 to 30% stronger".[54] Larratt subsequently rededicated himself to strength training.[55][56] After those losses, Larratt sent the right handed legacy hammer to Michael Todd and the left handed legacy hammer to Denis Cyplenkov.[57]
[external_link offset=2]At WAL 501, Devon Larratt beat Todd Hutchings 3-0. Hutchings, who typically competes in lower weight classes, performed admirably.[58] In July 2019, at WAL 504, Larratt beat Dave Chaffee 3-1, displaying an impressive kings move and much improved strength.[59] Later that year, at WAL 506, Larratt beat Brazilian champion Wagner Bortolato 3-1, again showing improved power.[60] Devon Larratt also beat the Australian champion Ryan Scott 3-0 on March 26, 2019.[61]
In March 2021, at BAL 204, Larratt defeated Janek Kwias in a super-match.[62]
On May 28, 2021, less than five months after recovering from deep vein thrombosis, Devon Larratt agreed to meet Michael Todd at King Of The Table in Dubai for the right-hand heavyweight title.[63] In one of the most hyped matches of all time, Larratt avenged his 2018 loss in dramatic fashion by defeating number one ranked Michael Todd 6-0.[64] Larratt surprised the arm-wrestling community by weighing in heavy at 293 pounds.[65] After the match, Michael Todd stated that the 2021 version of Devon Larratt was the "strongest arm-wrestler he ever faced".[66] Ryan "Blue" Bowen, the current Australian champion,[clarification needed ] speculated that the 2021 version of Larratt may be the "strongest arm-wrestler the world has ever seen", noting that no arm-wrestler has ever defeated Michael Todd "so significantly".[67] In June, Michael Todd returned the legacy hammer to Devon Larratt.[68]
Devon Larratt is currently in possession of the Legacy Hammer.[69] The hammer is a symbolic representation of the world's best arm-wrestler, and the wielder of the legacy hammer must ensure that the hammer belongs to the person most worthy. As such, the current holder of the legacy hammer must seek out the most worthy opponent and, if they lose, send the hammer to the person most deserving. The current legacy hammer holders, as of August 9, 2021, are Devon Larratt (right hand) and Denis Cyplenkov (left hand).[70][57] Devon Larratt and Levan Saginashvili are planning to fight for the legacy hammer in 2022. Denis Cyplenkov is still recovering from injuries, and is unsure when or if he will compete again.[71][72][73]
Future Events[edit]
After Devon's win in Dubai, the arm-wrestling community began advocating for a super match between Devon Larratt and PAL champion Levan Saginashvili, both of whom have expressed interest in fighting for the legacy hammer. However, Igor Mazurenko, the president of PAL, has continued to forbid PAL athletes from competing outside the organization. Despite Igor's reluctance, the arm-wrestling community still hopes for a unification match.[74] In July, Igor Mazurenko released a video on the social media platform YouTube in which he teased at a potential match between Devon and Levan under strict PAL rules.[75]
On August 16, 2021, Devon Larratt accepted an exhibition boxing match with Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson. The match will take place in Dubai on September 18, 2021.[76] Larratt is training for the match at Tristar Gym, owned by Firas Zahabi. The gym has trained a number of top mixed martial artists, including UFC Hall of Famer Georges St-Pierre.[77] When asked why he accepted the match, Devon stated that he "knows a lot about the sport of arm-wrestling", and that "abandoning his area of expertise" to enter a "fighter dorm", with "professional fighters", is an "opportunity to grow as a human being".[78]
Notable Matches[edit]
Year | Opponent | Result | Hand | Outcome | Event |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1999 | Krister Jonsson | Won | Right Hand | 2-0 | Worlds |
2003 | Rob Graham | Won | Right Hand | 3-0 | Ontario Championships |
2003 | Mike Gould | Won | Left Hand | 3-0 | Ontario Championships |
2004 | George Gottschalk | Won | Left Hand | 3-0 | Ontario Championships |
2004 | Greg Boyes | Won | Right Hand | 3-0 | Ontario Championships |
2004 | Mike Bowling | Won | Right Hand | 3-0 | Ontario Championships |
2004 | Marcio Barboza | Won | Right Hand | 2-0 | Super Stars |
2004 | Jacob Abbott | Won | Right Hand | 2-0 | Super Stars |
2004 | John Brzenk | Loss | Right Hand | 0-2 | Super Stars |
2005 | Sylvain Perron | Won | Left Hand | 3-0 | Mike Classic |
2005 | Simon Perron | Won | Right Hand | 3-0 | Mike Classic |
2005 | Travis Bagent | Loss | Right Hand | 1-3 | Mike Classic |
2006 | Taras Ivakin | Loss | Right Hand | 2-4 | PAL |
2006 | Ron Bath | Won | Right Hand | 3-1 | Mike Classic |
2007 | Ron Bath | Won | Right Hand | 6-0 | Arm Wars |
2008 | John Brzenk | Won | Right Hand | 6-0 | Arm Wars |
2008 | Marcio Barboza | Won | Left Hand | 5-1 | Arm Wars |
2008 | Travis Bagent | Won | Right Hand | 5-1 | Arm Wars |
2009 | Sylvain Perron | Won | Left Hand | 3-0 | Mike Classic |
2009 | Mike Gould | Won | Right Hand | 3-0 | Mike Classic |
2010 | Travis Bagent | Won | Left Hand | 4-3 | Arm Wars |
2010 | Tim Bresnan | Won | Right Hand | 5-1 | Arm Wars |
2010 | Don Underwood | Won | Right Hand | 4-3 | Arm Wars |
2010 | Richard Lupkes | Won | Right Hand | 6-0 | Arm Wars |
2011 | Don Underwood | Won | Right Hand | 4-3 | Arm Wars |
2011 | Christophe Ladu | Won | Left Hand | 6-0 | UAL |
2011 | Michael Todd | Won | Right Hand | 4-2 | UAL |
2011 | Travis Bagent | Loss | Left Hand | 1-3 | UAL |
2011 | Travis Bagent | Won | Right Hand | 3-0 | UAL |
2012 | Tim Bresnan | Won | Right Hand | 3-0 | MLA |
2012 | Andriy Pushkar | Won | Left Hand | 5-1 | ArmBet 42 |
2013 | Oleg Zhokh | Won | Left Hand | 3-0 | UAL 4 |
2013 | Wilton Brock | Won | Left Hand | 3-0 | UAL 4 |
2013 | Eric Woelful | Won | Left Hand | 3-0 | UAL 4 |
2014 | Mike Ayello | Won | Right Hand | 2-0 | WAL |
2014 | Christian Binnie | Won | Left Hand | 2-0 | UAL 4 |
2014 | Kenny Hughes | Won | Right Hand | 2-0 | WAL |
2014 | Marcio Barboza | Won | Left Hand | 3-0 | WAL |
2014 | Marcio Barboza | Loss | Right Hand | 0-3 | WAL |
2015 | Tom Nelson | Won | Left Hand | 2-0 | WAL |
2015 | Marcio Barboza | Won | Left Hand | Resignation (Injury) | WAL |
2015 | John Brzenk | Loss | Right Hand | 1-2 | WAL |
2016 | Marcio Barboza | Won | Right Hand | 2-0 | WAL |
2016 | Ron Bath | Won | Right Hand | 3-0 | WAL |
2016 | Matt Mask | Won | Left Hand | 3-0 | WAL |
2017 | Matt Mask | Won | Left Hand | 3-1 | WAL |
2017 | Ron Bath | Won | Right Hand | 2-0 | WAL |
2017 | Matt Mask | Won | Right Hand | 3-0 | WAL |
2017 | Frank Budelewski | Won | Right Hand | 6-0 | Buffalo Fitness Expo |
2017 | Zhao Zi Rui | Won | Left Hand | 3-0 | SAL |
2018 | Matt Mask | Won | Right Hand | 3-1 | WAL |
2018 | Michael Todd | Loss | Right Hand | 2-3 | WAL |
2018 | Denis Cyplenkov | Loss | Left Hand | 0-6 | Arm Fight 50 |
2018 | Jerry Cadorette | Won | Right Hand | 3-2 | WAL |
2019 | Todd Hutchings | Won | Right Hand | 3-0 | WAL |
2019 | Dave Chaffee | Won | Right Hand | 3-1 | WAL |
2019 | Ryan Scott | Won | Right Hand | 3-0 | AAW Federation |
2019 | Wagner Bortolato | Won | Left Hand | 3-1 | WAL |
2021 | Janek Kwias | Won | Left Hand | 3-0 | BAL 204 |
2021 | Janek Kwias | Won | Right Hand | 3-0 | BAL 204 |
2021 | Michael Todd | Won | Right Hand | 6-0 | King of the Table (Dubai) |
Personal life[edit]
Devon Larratt is married to Jodi Larratt, an actress and former arm wrestler; they have three children.[79] Devon's diet while training for matches usually consists of eating pancakes, sleeping, and drinking maple syrup.[80] Devon is also the owner of Armbet, a matchmaking mobile application for arm wrestlers.[81] Larratt currently resides in Ottawa, Canada with his family.[82]
References[edit]
- ^ "Devon Larratt Profile". walunderground.com. Retrieved updating.
- ^ "Devon Larratt". armwrestlersonly.blogspot.co.uk.
- ^ a b "' The Grippler' grasping for world arm-wrestling title in LA". ottawacitizen. Retrieved updating.
- ^ a b "Canadian armwrestling legend wins championship after highly specialized surgery". The Ottawa Hospital Foundation. Retrieved updating.
- ^ Feldman, Jacob. "How a competitive arm wrestler works out". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved updating.
- ^ a b "Arms and the man: Devon Larratt is set to take on the world of pro arm wrestling". Ottawa Citizen. 27 December 2014.
- ^ Press, Paul Newberry | The Associated (updating). "Arm wrestling looks to climb beyond barroom bragging rights". The Denver Post. Retrieved updating.
- ^ story of a white belt, retrieved updating
- ^ RARE FOOTAGE: DEVON LARRATT VS KRISTER JONSSON AT WORLDS IN JAPAN -99, retrieved updating
- ^ "Mike Gould Classic Results (updating)". THE ARMWRESTLING ARCHIVES. Retrieved updating.
- ^ "Superstar Showdown Results (updating)". THE ARMWRESTLING ARCHIVES. Retrieved updating.
- ^ "Mike Gould Classic Results (updating)". THE ARMWRESTLING ARCHIVES. Retrieved updating.
- ^ JOHN BRZENK vs DEVON LARRATT - Love Armwrestling INSTANTLY after this!, retrieved updating
- ^ "YouTube". www.youtube.com. Retrieved updating.
- ^ "Devon Larratt Vs. Ron Bath". The GripBoard. Retrieved updating.
- ^ "DEVON LARRATT Vs. RON BATH | Northeast Armwrestling Message Board". teammaine.proboards.com. Retrieved updating.
- ^ Devon Larratt V John Brzenk | Historic Break Down, retrieved updating
- ^ Arm Wars | Armwrestling | John Brzenk (USA) v Devon Larratt (CAN), retrieved updating
- ^ 2008 Arm Wars XI - Travis Bagent vs Devon Larratt RH, retrieved updating
- ^ Arm Wars | Armwrestling | Devon Larratt (CAN) v Barboza (BRA), retrieved updating
- ^ "Chronology of the Best Armwrestlers on the Planet (Men - Left Hand)". THE ARMWRESTLING ARCHIVES. Retrieved updating.
- ^ Arm Wars | Armwrestling | Devon Larratt CAN v Travis Bagent USA, retrieved updating
- ^ "Arm Wars Super Series Results (updating)". THE ARMWRESTLING ARCHIVES. Retrieved updating.
- ^ Arm Wars | Armwrestling | Devon Larratt CAN v Don Underwood USA, retrieved updating
- ^ "Arm Wars Super Series Results (updating)". THE ARMWRESTLING ARCHIVES. Retrieved updating.
- ^ Travis Bagent Vs. Devon Larratt - Left arm - Match 4 (7th overall) - UAL - HB Ford Backyard Brawl, retrieved updating
- ^ "UAL Results (updating)". THE ARMWRESTLING ARCHIVES. Retrieved updating.
- ^ 2012 MLA - Devon Larratt vs Tim Bresnan, retrieved updating
- ^ Armfight #42 - Devon Larratt vs Andrey Pushkar - World Champion title fight, retrieved updating
- ^ Devon Larratt Oleg Zhokh UAL 4, retrieved updating
- ^ Devon LARRATT vs Wilton BROCK | ARM WRESTLING 2013, retrieved updating
- ^ "UAL Results (updating)". THE ARMWRESTLING ARCHIVES. Retrieved updating.
- ^ Devon Larratt Eric Woelfel UAL 4, retrieved updating
- ^ "Chronology of the Best Armwrestlers on the Planet (Men - Right Hand)". THE ARMWRESTLING ARCHIVES. Retrieved updating.
- ^ "Devon Larratt - Facebook". facebook.com.
- ^ WAL 2014 Heavy Left Devon Larratt v Marcio Barboza, retrieved updating
- ^ Devon Larratt vs Christian Binnie, super heavyweight Left FINAL │ WAL Las Vegas 2014, retrieved updating
- ^ "WAL 2014 Championships". www.walunderground.com. Retrieved updating.
- ^ WAL 2014 Devon Larratt v Marcio Barboza, retrieved updating
- ^ Devon Larratt v Marcio Barboza: WAL 2015, Heavyweight Final, Left Hand, retrieved updating
- ^ Devon Larratt v John Brzenk: WAL 2015 Heavyweight Semi Final, Right Hand, retrieved updating
- ^ Devon Larratt v Ron Bath: WAL 2016 Heavyweight Final, Right Hand, retrieved updating
- ^ Devon Larratt v Matt Mask: WAL 2016 Heavyweight Final, Left Hand, retrieved updating
- ^ Devon Larratt v Marcio Barboza: WAL 2016 Heavyweight Semi Final, Right Hand, retrieved updating
- ^ "2017 Championships Results". www.walunderground.com. Retrieved updating.
- ^ XSportNews. "RESULTS: WAL 2017 CHAMPIONSHIP FINALS • ARMWRESTLING • ARMWRESTLING NEWS XSPORTNEWS.COM". Retrieved updating.
- ^ Devon Larratt vs Big Frank 9/9/17, retrieved updating
- ^ China - Devon Larratt Vs Zhao Zi Rui (22/10/17) | Arm Wrestling, retrieved updating
- ^ WAL 402: Jerry Cadorette vs Devon Larratt, retrieved updating
- ^ "WAL 402: Baltimore". www.walunderground.com. Retrieved updating.
- ^ WAL 405: Devon Larratt vs Matt Mask, retrieved updating
- ^ WAL 406 Heavyweight Championship: Michael Todd vs Devon Larratt, retrieved updating
- ^ DEVON LARRATT VS DENIS CYPLENKOV (Biggest ARM WRESTLING match of all time), retrieved updating
- ^ DEVON LARRATT INTERVIEW (Was Denis Cyplenkov on different level? What happened?), retrieved updating
- ^ Way of the giant pumpkin - becoming Hellboy, retrieved updating
- ^ DEVON LARRATT- HOW DENIS CHANGED HIS TRAINING? SIDEPRESSURE VS BACKPRESSURE, retrieved updating
- ^ a b Goodbye, retrieved updating
- ^ WAL 501: Devon "No Limits" Larratt vs "Toddzilla" Todd Hutchings (Official Video), retrieved updating
- ^ Devon Larratt vs. Dave Chaffee: WAL 504 Super Showdown Los Angeles (FULL MATCH), retrieved updating
- ^ Devon Larratt vs. Wagner Bortolato: WAL 506 (FULL MATCH), retrieved updating
- ^ Devon Larratt v Ryan Scott (Right Arm), retrieved updating
- ^ BAL 204 | DEVON LARRATT vs. JANEK KWIAS | RIGHT & LEFT ARM SUPERMATCH, retrieved updating
- ^ Deep vein thrombosis - pulmonary embolism - my recovery - 2.5 months post injury, retrieved updating
- ^ Devon Larratt vs Michael Todd|King of the Table|Full HD, retrieved updating
- ^ DEVON LARRATT VS MONSTER MICHAEL TODD WEIGHINS, retrieved updating
- ^ NOT WHAT I EXPECTED. WHERE DO I GO FROM HERE, retrieved updating
- ^ What now for Devon Larratt? Number one in the world?, retrieved updating
- ^ MAKING CHANGES| SENDING A LEGACY TO DEVON LARRATT, retrieved updating
- ^ www.youtube.com https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=devon+larratt+hammer. Retrieved updating.
- ^ i want my hammer back, retrieved updating
- ^ Denis Cyplenkov will return? - recently matches / sparring updating (Деннис Иванович ципленков), retrieved updating
- ^ CYPLENKOV. SMAEV. ARMWRESTLING (2021), retrieved updating
- ^ Tsyplenkov said that doctors forbade him to fight..., retrieved updating
- ^ Dear Igor | Devon V Levan must and will happen, retrieved updating
- ^ World's top puller Levan Saginashvili: "I want to pull with everyone!". What about Devon Larratt?, retrieved updating
- ^ "Arm Wrestler Devon Larratt Replaces Eddie Hall in Boxing Match Against Hafthor Björnsson". BarBend. updating. Retrieved updating.
- ^ "Montreal gym owner tired of police visits during pandemic". montrealgazette. Retrieved updating.
- ^ week 2 Thor camp - armwars/armbet - sasho vs rvj, retrieved updating
- ^ Feldman, Jacob. "How a competitive arm-wrestler works out". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved updating.
- ^ Sunday morning pancake checkin, retrieved updating
- ^ DEVON LARRATT ARMBET (First ever social arm wrestling app ), retrieved updating
- ^ "Armbet - Armwrestling Equipment, Apparel and Connections". armbet. Retrieved updating.
External links[edit]
- Devon Larrat's YouTube Channel