Grandad one of the world's best arm-wrestlers after taking up sport three years ago
A British grandad has become one of the world's best arm-wrestlers - after only taking up the sport three years ago. Mark Waldon, 53, discovered professional arm wrestling in lockdown and is now competing at an international level. He joined Milton Keynes Arm Wrestling Club after researching how to get involved with the sport online. His first few bouts ended in heavy defeat, but six-months into his arm wrestling career it was clear he was a special talent. And, earlier this month, Mark won gold while representing Team GB at the International Federation of Arm Wrestling (IFA) European Championships in Finland. Mark, from Flitwick, Bedfordshire, said: "I'd been training nearly 40 years in the gym before taking up the sport. "It was a challenge to begin with, but I started training the specific muscles you need, and immediately started seeing results. "To be able to say now that I'm a European gold medallist feels pretty special!" During the pandemic, Mark contracted covid and then pneumonia. He was ill for months, and at one point believed he wouldn't live to tell the tale. While in bed recovering, he started looking at videos of arm wrestling on YouTube and decided when he got better, it was something he wanted to pursue. Mark recovered in May 2020, and, as soon as restrictions were lifted, joined Milton Keynes Arm Wrestling Club. At first, he was losing every wrestle, and Mark says he quickly discovered his strong physique wasn't enough to bring him success. After six-months of arm wrestling, it became clear Mark was a special talent. He started competing all over the country in national tournaments, and turned pro in May 2021. The dad-of-one was recording win after win, and was subsequently accepted by the IFA to represent the Great British arm wrestling team. Along with a team of 30 others, he entered the IFA Wrestling Worlds Competition in France in September, 2022. He placed fourth in the under 105kg category and the 50-60 age category, otherwise known as the grand masters, in both the left and right arm competition. He was disappointed to miss out on a podium position, but refused to be disheartened, and got back in the gym. And, earlier this month, he won gold in the same categories in the right arm competition at the IFA European Championships in Finland. Mark says his father's recent passing is what motivated him to win, and has dedicated his victory to him.
2023-05-31T09:33:35Z
Infinity Monfils, historic comeback and then burst into tears, photos
Exhausted but at the same time radiant. This is Gael Monfils after a match to tell the tale, giving himself an unforgettable evening. His match with Argentina's Sebastian Baez, ranked 42nd in the world, ended past midnight. It came down to the fifth set, like 19 other first-round matches, a record in the Open era for a Slam tournament. He saw the end with a cross-court shot, hugged by the net, contributing to the magic of a set, and a match, quickly elevated to classic status. Monfils, currently 394th in the world rankings, triumphed by a score of 3-6, 6-3, 7-5, 1-6, 7-5, despite trailing 0-4 30-40 in the fifth set.
2023-05-31T09:05:00Z
Bajban Camila Giorgi, elveszíti az első szettet és visszalép, fotók
Camila Giorgi pályafutása a második fordulóban megszakadt a párizsi salakpályán. A Roland Garros szerdai nyitónapja az olasz sportoló visszalépésének hírével kezdődött, aki a harmadik kiemelt Jessica Pegula ellen 6-2-re elveszített első szett után hagyta el a Philippe-Chatrier-t. Később Sara Errani következik, aki a román Irina Beguval, valamint a világranglistán második Aryna Sabalenkával találkozik. Giorgi, aki jelenleg a 37. helyen áll a WTA-ranglistán, csak egy szettet játszott, amely rövid volt és nem volt különösebben kiélezett. A 6-2 utáni váltásnál a jobb térdében jelentkezett a probléma, ami az utóbbi időben aggasztotta, és orvosi időkérésre volt szüksége, mielőtt a mérkőzés befejezése mellett döntött. Nem volt kezelés, csak egy megbeszélés az orvossal, aki rámutatott, hogy nem lenne bölcs dolog többet kockáztatni. Továbbá, figyelembe véve ellenfele kihívó természetét, nem tűnt megfelelő mérkőzésnek a kockáztatásra. Ez volt a tizedik mérkőzése Jessica Pegula ellen, akivel a leggyakrabban találkozott a pályán, és a mai visszavonulás a nyolcadik vereségét jelenti zsinórban, az ötödiket egymás után.
2023-05-31T12:47:35Z
