Ontario Event Types

There are two basic types of OAA events -- Circuit Sanctioned events, and Sanctioned events. There is also the Provincial Championships, which is a separate event with minor differences. With the exception of the Provincial Championships, events are open to everyone, but OAA members can compete for special individual, team, and region awards. To compete in the Provincial Championships, you must reside in Ontario and be an OAA member. OAA tournaments do not feature pre-registration, all registration takes place at the event venues, on the day of the event. Competitors can register is multiple weight classes (as long as they are under the weight limits) with the same arm if desired, except at the Provincial Championships where only one class per arm is accepted. Pullers can opt to pull different weight classes with their right and left arms.

There are five circuit sanctioned events in Ontario each year: the Northern Ontario Armwrestling Championships, the Eastern Ontario Armwrestling Championships, the Central Ontario Armwrestling Championships, the Western Ontario Armwrestling Championships, and the Southern Ontario Armwrestling Championships. These tournaments are generally held between September and June of the following year. All circuit sanctioned events offer the same weight classes, which are 0-154 lbs, 155-176 lbs, 177-198 lbs, 199-242 lbs, and 243+ lbs for the men's classes (both right and left), and open right and left hand classes for women. Additional women's classes may be offered, depending on participation. Both the head referee and spotter are certified by the CAWF. All OAA members who compete at circuit sanctioned events earn points for the Puller of the Year. Points earned at circuit events, plus the points earned at the Provincial Championships count towards the Puller of the Year race. OAA members can also earn points for Ontario's Strongest Region and Team of the Year (if applicable) awards which are given out at the Provincial Championships.

Circuit sanctioned events have awards for at least the top three competitors in each class and the type of awards given out are at the tournament director's discretion. The entry fee for the event is $25 per arm, of which $20 goes to the tournament promoter, and $5 goes to the OAA. All circuit sanctioned events have a double elimination format.

Because the circuit sanctioned events are high profile OAA events, a promoter who wishes to hold one must have prior tournament organization experience. The goal will be to give out the circuit sanctions for the new year during the month following the Provincial Championships. In the event that two promoters want to hold a circuit event in the same region, preference will be given to new locations in order to increase the sport's exposure. In other words, the default would be to avoid holding circuit events in the same location in back-to-back years if more than one promoter wishes to host an event. If two promoters are competing to host an event, the prizes that will be offered may be taken into consideration when the location is decided. There is a cost of $100 for an event to be circuit sanctioned.

Sanctioned tournaments offer more flexibility to the tournament director (promoter). They can be held anytime throughout the year, but must not fall on the same weekend as the OAA circuit tournaments, Provincial Championships, or Canadian Championships. The number of weight classes and the classes that are offered are determined by the tournament director, but the upper class limits must exist at the Canadian Championships. This means the available upper limits for the men's classes are 121 lbs, 132 lbs, 143 lbs, 154 lbs, 165 lbs, 176 lbs, 187 lbs, 198 lbs, 220 lbs, 242 lbs, and Unlimited. The upper limits for the women's classes are 110 lbs, 121 lbs, 132 lbs, 143 lbs, 154 lbs, 176 lbs, and Unlimited. Points are not accumulated for Puller of the Year, Ontario's Strongest Region, and Team of the Year. Both the head referee and the spotter must be certified by the CAWF. The entry fee for sanctioned events is determined by the tournament director, and will generally be in line with the types of prizes that can be won. Although the double elimination format is the standard, the tournament director may opt for a different format (triple elimination, round robin, etc.).

Anyone wishing to hold an armwrestling event and who meets the basic requirements can have their event sanctioned. As much as possible, no two tournaments will be held on the same weekend. Some exceptions may be made if the events are far apart from each other and are not targeting the same competitors. Sanctions will be given on a first come first served basis, so if you are interested in holding an event on a specific weekend, contact the President as soon as possible. There is no cost for an event to be sanctioned.

The Provincial Championships are typically held six to eight weeks prior to the National Championships. Any Ontario resident wishing to compete at the National Championships must compete at the Provincial Championships, or help out in some way (conduct the weigh-ins, do the scoresheets, officiate, emcee, etc.). If an individual plans to help out, he must make arrangements with the tournament director ahead of the event. If, for whatever reason, someone cannot make it to the Provincials but would like to compete at the Canadian Championships, he/she must notify the Executive and send $200 to the OAA before or up to one week following the Provincial Championships. Of this amount, $30 will got towards the OAA membership, $30 will go to the tournament director, and $140 will go to the OAA. If a puller wants to compete at Nationals, but does not attend Provincials and does not request a bye within the specified timeframe, he/she can do so, but will incur a penalty of $250 rather than $200. The entry fee for the Provincial Championships is $30 per arm. The format is double elimination.

Because the Provincial Championships is the highest profile event of the year in Ontario, the tournament director must have prior tournament organizing experience. Individuals interested in hosting the Provincial Championships must notify the President of their interest a minimum of two weeks prior to the preceding Provincial Championships. In other words, if an individual is interested in hosting the Provincial Championships in 2013, he must notify the President no later than April 21st, 2012 (two weeks prior to the 2012 Provincial Championships). The individual must notify the President of the desired location of the event, the prizes that will be awarded, and any other pertinent information. Similar to circuit sanctions, the default will be to avoid holding circuit events in the same region in back-to-back years if more than one promoter wishes to host the event. The location will be determined by a vote among OAA members at the Provincial Championships.

If you're interested in holding a tournament but are not sure exactly what is involved, please contact the President who will provide you with any information you may need.