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Arm Wrestling

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History

Various forms of arm wrestling have been very common throughout the world. A painting of what appears to be an arm wrestling contest is found in an Egyptian tomb dating to about 2,000 B. C.

The modern sport is based on a Native American game. In fact, it was usually called "Indian wrestling" when practiced by frontiersman during the 19th century and by children in the 20th century.

Arm wrestling competition

In addition to what has become known as arm wrestling, there are several other forms of "Indian wrestling." In one, the opponents stand facing one another, with the outer sides of their right feet set together and their right hands interlocked. The object is to throw the opponent off balance. In another, the opponents lie down with their near arms and near legs locked and each tries to force the other's leg down.

In arm wrestling, which has now become a genuinely international sport, the opponents are seated at a table, facing one another. They lock their hands (usually the right hands, but there is now also left-handed competition), with their elbows firmly planted on the flat surface, and each attempts to force the other's arm down to the table.

In addition to being a semi-popular sport among high school and college students, arm wrestling was a tavern sport and the first organized competition was staged by a journalist, Bill Soberanes, in 1952 at Gilardi's Saloon in Petaluma, California.

Over the next ten years, it became bigger and bigger. In 1962, Soberanes and Dave Devoto moved the tournament to a large auditorium in Petaluma and renamed it the World Wristwrestling Championship.

The sport got a major boost from "Peanuts" cartoonist Charles Schulz in 1968. Schulz did a series of comic strips in which Snoopy was headed to Petaluma to try to win the championship. However, in the last strip, he was barred from competition because the rules require that you lock thumbs with your opponent and Snoopy had no thumb.

Largely because of that publicity, the championship was televised on ABC's Wide World of Sports in 1969 and became an annual event on the program for 16 years.

The American Armwrestling Association, now the American Armsports Association (AAA), was organized by Bob O'Leary during the 1960s. It now has 56 member associations across the country. O'Leary was also largely responsible for the founding of the World Armsport Federation (WAF), with the United States, Canada, Brazil, and India as the first four members. There are now more than 70 member countries.

The WAF held its first world championships in 1992 in Switzerland. The event has been held annually since then.

Incidentally, although arm wrestling and wrist wrestling are generally considered the same sport, there's one slight technical difference between them. In arm wrestling, opponents grip a peg with the free hand. In wrist wrestling, they grip their free hands across the table.

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World Champions

Men - Righthanded

50 kilograms

YearChampion
1992Emile Gachet, SUI
1994Roine Eklund, SWE
1998Timuri Lipartsschwili, GEO
1999Alexander Sokolow, RUS
2000S. Bolotnikow, RUS
2001Wadim Tagojew, RUS

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52 kilograms

YearChampion
2004Valdomiro Souza, BRA
2005Fabio Manfrinato, BRA

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53 kilograms

YearChampion
2003Fabio Manfrinato, BRA

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55 kilograms

YearChampion
1992Wjatscheslaw Schiwanin, RUS
1993Alan Berget, USA
1994Terzi Engin, TUR
1995Totraz Tamajew, RUS
1998Gurami Gigolaschwili, GEO
1999Mamoru Abe, JPN
2000Alexander Sokolow, RUS
2001Gokhan Galisirisgi, TUR
2002Michael Moore, USA
2007Radzion Abramov, BLR
2008Robert Chomaev, RUS
2009Robert Chomaev, RUS

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57 kilograms

YearChampion
2003Akhmed Aliev, KAZ
2004Ivan Portela, ESP
2005Luciano Jordao, BRA

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60 kilograms

YearChampion
1992Leslie Whims, USA
1993Joaquin Garrido-Laso, ESP
1994Georgi Schatchidse, GEO
1995Joaquin Garrido-Laso, ESP
1998Engin Terzi, TUR
1999Takeshi Hatori, JPN
2000Jean-Michel Costa, FRA
2001Wladimir Bolotajew, RUS
2002Topi Saaranlvoma, FIN
2007Vazgen Soghoyan, USA
2008Vazgen Soghoyan, USA
2009Mamed Jussupov, KAZ

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63 kilograms

YearChampion
2003Vladimir Bolotaev, RUS
2004Ray Hennerichs, USA
2005Junzi Iizuka, JPN

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65 kilograms

YearChampion
1992Brian Shea, USA
1993Haydar Gildil, TUR
1994Tomas Tschutscheraschwili, GEO
1995Igor Gruschnikow, RUS
1998Taimuras Tsachilow, RUS
1999Maxim Maximow, RUS
2000Maxim Maximow, RUS
2001Ozgur Kizgin, TUR
2002Ramidin Kazimagom, RUS
2007Roman Tzindeliani, RUS
2008Roman Tsindeliani, RUS
2009Georgi Gaydardjiev, BUL

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70 kilograms

YearChampion
1992Telly Janing, USA
1993Chad Silvers, USA
1994Wefkia Samtscharadse, GEO
1995Schamil Karagjew, RUS
1998Alex Mundgischwili, RUS
1999Kenji Okita, JPN
2000Iwan Lewitski, KAZ
2001Engin Terzi, TUR
2002Sergej Pisarkow, RUS
2003Zoloev Hadzimurat, RUS
2004Carlos Eduardo Rodrigues, BRA
2005Masaya Yamamoto, JPN
2007Zoloev Khadzimurat, RUS
2008Ivan Lukyanchuk, UKR
2009Ivan Lukyanchuk, UKR

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75 kilograms

YearChampion
1992Serge Urereau, CAN
1993Andrew Rhodes, USA
1994Andreas Rundström, SWE
1995Mayerbek Solowjew, BLR
1998Gildil Haydar, TUR
1999Abdula Eldarow, RUS
2000Tswetan Gaschewski, BUL
2001Taimuras Tschachilow, RUS
2002Tswetan Gaschewski, BUL
2007Arsen Liliev, RUS
2008Khadzimurat Zoloev, RUS
2009Janis Amolins, LAT

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78 kilograms

YearChampion
2003Shamil Karajzaev, RUS
2004Steve Inelo, BRA
2006Kazuki Kiyomatsu, JPN

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80 kilograms

YearChampion
1992Andrew Rhodes, USA
1993Phil Stoppert, CAN
1994Djimgher Merabischwili, GEO
1995Kasbek Solowjew, RUS
1998Kurt Niyazi, TUR
1999Yoshinobu Kanai, JPN
2000Abdula Eldarow, RUS
2001Gennadij Fardzinow, RUS
2002Artjom Klimenko, RUS
2007Rustam Babiev, UKR
2008Rustam Babiev, UKR
2009Rustam Babiev, UKR

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85 kilograms

YearChampion
1992Nir Harel, ISR
1993Tony Senger, CAN
1994Jan Germanus, SLK
1995Anatoli Sodtajew, RUS
1998Aslanabek Chugajew, RUS
1999Eduard Kramtsow, RUS
2000Jeff Tomchesson, USA
2001Neil Pickup, ENG
2002Maksim Maksimow, RUS
2007Ruslan Babayev, UKR
2008Arsen Liliev, RUS
2009Ruslan Babayev, UKR

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86 kilograms

YearChampion
2003Gena Fardzinov, RUS
2004Giuliano Pareja, BRA
2005Wataru Nishikawa, JPN

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90 kilograms

YearChampion
1992Sharon Remez, ISR
1993Andrej Jurikow, RUS
1994Koba Todadse, GEO
1995Bill Brzenk, USA
1998Jan Germanus, SLK
1999Ibragim Ibragimow, RUS
2000Marcel Pheulpin, SUI
2001Jan Germanus, SVK
2002Jan Germanus, SVK
2007Ion Vlad Oncescu, ROM
2008Krasimir Kostadinov, BUL
2009Arsen Liliev, RUS

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95 kilograms

YearChampion
2003Arsen Zoloev, RUS
2004James Battles, USA
2005Jim Bryan, USA

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100 kilograms

YearChampion
1992Alexander Kusnezow, RUS
1993Jose Carlis Vidal, BRA
1994Alexander Kusnezow, RUS
1995Ruslan Sarjew, RUS
1998Ruslan Kokojew, RUS
1999Gadji Tagirow, RUS
2000Ibragim Ibragimow, RUS
2001Ruslan Tschotschajew, RUS
2002Mamuka Pajischwili, GEO
2007Taras Ivakin, UKR
2008Ion Vlad Oncescu, ROM
2009Ivan Matyushenko, RUS

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105 kilograms

YearChampion
2003Slavik Kochmazov, RUS
2004Luciano Baroz, BRA
2005Bakhtiarovi Zurabi, AZE

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110 kilograms

YearChampion
1992Emanuele Bruni, ITA
1993Eli Sappiaschwili, ISR
1994David Tschelidse, GEO
1995Kurt Kvikstaad, NOR
1998Erekie Gurschiani, GEO
1999Yuki Oomori, JPN
2000A. Wowoda, RUS
2001Sergej Kodsasow, RUS
2002Marcio Barboza, BRA
2007Normunds Tomsons, LAT
2008Normunds Tomsons, LAT
2009Genadi Kvikvinia, GEO

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Over 105 kilograms

YearChampion
2003Alan Karaev, RUS
2004Daniel Santiago, BRA
2005Alan Karaev, RUS

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Over 110 kilograms

YearChampion
1992Saur Ghodedse, GEO
1993Gary Goodridge, CAN
1994Saur Tsakadse, GEO
1995Glauco Prior, BRA
1998Wachtang Jawachadse, GEO
1999Shigeki Kanai, JPN
2000Dick Ivars, SWE
2001Alan Karajew, RUS
2002Greg Boyes, CAN
2007Andriy Pushkar, UKR
2008Andriy Pushkar, UKR
2009Andriy Pushkar, UKR

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Women - Righthanded

45 kilograms

YearChampion
1994Stine Karlsen, NOR
1998Maria C. Menendes, BRA
1999Jelena Schubina, RUS
2000J. Merkulowa, RUS
2001Maria Menendes, BRA

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49 kilograms

YearChampion
2003Dzerassa Boloeva, RUS
2004Maria Latancia, BRA
2005Megumi Imagawa, JPN

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50 kilograms

YearChampion
1992Selene Baliste, USA
1993Chrissi Baliko, USA
1994Jelena Schubina, RUS
1995Chrissi Baliko, USA
1998Inga Kodsasowa, RUS
1999Caren Cooley, USA
2000Marina Pawlowa, RUS
2001Nuran Pehlivan, TUR
2002Marina Pawlowa, RUS
2007Diane Albegova, RUS
2008Yana Onishchenko, UKR
2009Deniz Coskun, TUR

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54 kilograms

YearChampion
2003Luiza Gabueva, RUS
2004Irina Rasstrizhenkova, RUS
2005Cristina Bognar, BRA

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55 kilograms

YearChampion
1992Shirley Isaac, CAN
1993Katherin Monbiot, GBR
1994Margie Cziria, USA
1995Margie Cziria, USA
1998Walina Bagajewa, RUS
1999Tatjana Istomina, RUS
2000Lina Chamidulina, RUS
2001Sandra Bumsaite, LTU
2002Weronika Bonkowa, BUL
2007Ekaterina Larina, RUS
2008Viktoriia Iliushyna, UKR
2009Chis Rejane, BRA

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60 kilograms

YearChampion
1992Dola Akanmu, GBR
1993Barb Schlegel, CAN
1994Oksana Odarenko, RUS
1995Oksana Odarenko, RUS
1998Sandra Bumsaite, LTU
1999Heidi Andersson, SWE
2000Heidi Andersson, SWE
2001Swetlana Jakmowa, RUS
2002Heidi Andersson, SWE
2003Sveta Iakimova, RUS
2004Rejeine Cris, BRA
2005Chris Souza, BRA
2007Veronika Bonkova, BUL
2008Heidi Andersson, SWE
2009Lucia Debnarova, SVK

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65 kilograms

YearChampion
2000Eleine Pickup, ENG
2001Irina Gtadkaj, RUS
2002Susan Owen, ENG
2007Irina Makeeva, RUS
2008Irina Gladkaya, RUS
2009Heidi Andersson, SWE

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67 kilograms

YearChampion
2003Gabriela Vasconcelos, BRA
2004Maraline Pardin, BRA
2005Clelia Goulart, BRA

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70 kilograms

YearChampion
1992Anna Pettersson, SWE
1993Cornelia Wüthrich, SUI
1994Trace Ann Swift, USA
1995Sharon Brandes, CAN
1998Requina Enalodjewa, RUS
1999Ludmila Schestakowa, RUS
2000Requina Enalodjewa, RUS
2001Christine Gfeller, SUI
2002Barb Zalepa, CAN
2007Irina Gladkaya, RUS
2008Irina Makeeva, RUS
2009Irina Makeeva, RUS

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75 kilograms

YearChampion
2003Ekaterina Jaskevich, RUS
2004Gabriela Vasconcelos, BRA
2005Gabriela Vasconcelos, BRA

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80 kilograms

YearChampion
1992Maria Paz Garcia Resina, ESP
1993Irina Turschinskaja, RUS
1994Wika Gabakowa, RUS
1995Sylvie Dufresne, CAN
1998Albina Gusalowa, RUS
1999Margarita Smirnowa, BLR
2000Margarita Smirnowa, BLR
2001Albina Gusalowa, RUS
2002Dalia Medsiausyte, LTU
2007Gabriela Vasconcelos, BRA
2008Egle Vaitkute, LUT
2009Egle Vaitkute, LUT

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83 kilograms

YearChampion
2003Nicole Cisco, USA
2004Andrea Lopes, BRA
2004Lucilene Lopes, BRA

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Over 80 kilograms

YearChampion
1993Heitje van Arendenk, NED
1994Liane Dufresne, CAN
1995Wika Gabakowa, RUS
1998Lilia Chamidulina, RUS
1999Wika Gabakowa, RUS
2000Wika Gabakowa, RUS
2001Nurcihan Gonul, TUR
2002Wika Gabakowa, RUS
2007Zhanna Chingule, LAT
2008Jocilene Bassanelli, BRA
2009Liliya Khamidullina, RUS

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Over 83 kilograms

YearChampion
2003Jocilene Bassaneli, BRA
2004Jocilene Bassaneli, BRA
2005Jocilene Bassaneli, BRA

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Men - Lefthanded

50 kilograms

YearChampion
1994W. Lasarow, RUS
1999Wladimir Krupenikow, RUS
2000S. Bolotnikow, RUS
2001Wadim Togoew, RUS
2002David Bauer, USA

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52 kilograms

YearChampion
2003Fabio Manfrinato, BRA
2004Akhpolov Azamat, RUS
2005Fabio Manfrinato, BRA

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55 kilograms

YearChampion
2002David Bauer, USA
2007Dmytro Bezkorovainyi, UKR
2008Dmytro Bezkorovainyi, UKR
2009Mirzohid Sharpov, UZB

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57 kilograms

YearChampion
2003Ibragim Chociev, RUS
2004Ivan Portela, ESP
2005Noriyuki Suzuki, JPN

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60 kilograms

YearChampion
1993Leslie Whims, USA
1994Georgi Tschatchidse, GEO
1995Joaquin Garrido-Laso, ESP
1999Elichi Sekiya, JPN
2000Pawel Sasanow, RUS
2001Gocha Gobozow, RUS
2002Paul Andrews, CAN
2007Alexey Polyakov, RUS
2008Mamed Jussupov, KAZ
2009Rim Khamidullin, RUS

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63 kilograms

YearChampion
2003Konstantin Albegov, RUS
2004Georgy Khubaev, RUS
2005Eiichi Sekiya, JPN

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65 kilograms

YearChampion
2002Pawel Sasonow, RUS
2007Roman Tzindeliani, RUS
2008Roman Tzindeliani, RUS
2008Roman Tzindeliani, RUS
2009Rim Khamidullin, RUS

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70 kilograms

YearChampion
1993Michael Barrett, CAN
1994Mairam Solowjew, RUS
1995Anatoli Majransajew, RUS
1999Jason Dubray, CAN
2000M. Grigorjew, RUS
2001Nurettin Yuksel, TUR
2002Arman Alpaslan, TUR
2003Maxim Cherski, RUS
2004Zoloev Khadzhimurat, RUS
2005Yosuke Nakanishi, JPN
2007Vladimir Mnatsakanyan, ARM
2008Viktar Bratchenia, BLR
2009Roman Tsindeliani, RUS

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75 kilograms

YearChampion
2002Cvetan Gaschewski, BUL
2007Vladimir Mnatsakanyan, ARM
2008Lubomir Jagnesak, SVK
2009Alexander Bulenkov, RUS

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78 kilograms

YearChampion
2003Shamil Karajzaev, RUS
2004Maxim Tcherski, RUS
2005Toyokazu Sasaki, JPN

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80 kilograms

YearChampion
1993Bill Ballinger, USA
1994X. Solowjew, RUS
1995Kasbek Solowjew, RUS
1999Alexander Ter, RUS
2000Abdula Eldarow, RUS
2001Alexej Semerenko, UKR
2002Artjom Klimenko, RUS
2007Alexander Bulenkov, RUS
2008Rustam Babaiev, UKR
2009Rustam Babaiev, UKR

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85 kilograms

YearChampion
2002Maksim Maksimow, RUS
2007Rustam Babiev, UKR
2008Ruslan Babayev, UKR
2009Lubomir Jagnesak, SVK

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86 kilograms

YearChampion
2003Muriev Vacheslav, RUS
2004Roman Filippov, RUS
2005Hidetaka Watanabe, JPN

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90 kilograms

YearChampion
1993Steve Morneau, CAN
1994Koba Totadse, GEO
1995Marcio Barbosa, BRA
1999Eduard Kramtsow, RUS
2000Alexander Ter, RUS
2001Jan Germanus, SVK
2002Jan Germanus, SVK
2007Ion Vlad Oncescu, ROM
2008Jan Germanus, SVK
2009Alexey Lemesh, KAZ

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95 kilograms

YearChampion
2003Tamerian Dzukaev, RUS
2004Muriev Viatcheslav, RUS
2005Jim Bryan, USA

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100 kilograms

YearChampion
1993Jose Carlis Vidal, BRA
1994Mike Gould, CAN
1995Ruslan Sarjew, RUS
1999John Brzenk, USA
2000Ibragim Ibragimow, RUS
2001Ruslan Tschotschajew, RUS
2002Mamuka Pajischwili, GEO
2007Aslan Kozaev, RUS
2008Ion Vlad Oncescu, ROM
2009Viatcheslav Muriev, RUS

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105 kilograms

YearChampion
2003Oleg Chegodaev, KAZ
2004Slavik Kachmazov, RUS
2005Ibrahim Helmy, EGY

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110 kilograms

YearChampion
1993Garvin Lewis, CAN
1994Arthur Tschadonow, RUS
1995Arthur Tschadonow, RUS
1999Gadji Tagirow, RUS
2000Waceslaw Scharagowitsch, BLR
2001Ruslan Kokojew, RUS
2002Ibrahim Ibragimow, RUS
2007Dimitriy Kochiev, RUS
2008Wagner Bortolato, BRA
2009Vagner Bortollato, BRA

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Over 105 kilograms

YearChampion
2003Sergey Kodzasov, RUS
2004Sergey Kodzasov, RUS
2005Cleve Dean, USA

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Over 110 kilograms

YearChampion
1993Gary Goodridge, CAN
1994Cleve Dean, USA
1995Mayerbek Giojew, RUS
1999Mikel Gould, CAN
2000Earl Wilson, CAN
2001Alan Karajew, RUS
2002Ryan Espey, CAN
2007Farid Usmonov, UZB
2008Andriy Pushkar, UKR
2009Andriy Pushkar, UKR

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Women - Lefthanded

49 kilograms

YearChampion
2003Dzerassa Boloeva, RUS
2004Dzerassa Boloeva, RUS
2005Megumi Imagawa, JPN

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50 kilograms

YearChampion
1993Chris Baliko, USA
1999Nadeshda Rezanowa, RUS
2000Marina Pawlowa, RUS
2001Jans Onistschenko, UKR
2002Marina Pawlowa, RUS
2007Diane Albegova, RUS
2008Snizhana Babaieva, UKR
2009Venera Urazgildeeva, RUS

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54 kilograms

YearChampion
2003Luiza Gabueva, RUS
2004Luiza Gabueva, RUS
2005Cristina Bognar, BRA

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55 kilograms

YearChampion
2002Fia Reisek, SWE
2007Irina Kartseva, RUS
2008Viktoriia Iliushyna, UKR
2009Diana Albegova, RUS

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60 kilograms

YearChampion
1993Dola Akanmu, GBR
1999Kathy Defeche, BEL
2000Kathy Defeche, BEL
2001Sandra Bumsaite, LTU
2002Petra Spatz, GER
2003Ekaterina Larina, RUS
2004Ekaterina Larina, RUS
2005Yoshiko Arakawa, JPN
2007Irina Meladze, RUS
2008Ekaterina Larina, RUS
2009Ekaterina Larina, RUS

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65 kilograms

YearChampion
2002Olga Fedofowa, RUS
2007Irina Makeeva, RUS
2008Irina Gladkaya, RUS
2009Irina Gladkaya, RUS

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67 kilograms

YearChampion
2003Gabriela Vasconcelos, BRA
2004Deyse Godoy, BRA
2005Clelia Goulart, BRA

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70 kilograms

YearChampion
1993Cecilie Knutsen, NOR
1999Ludmila Schestakowa, BLR
2000R. Enalodjewa, RUS
2001Gabriela Noskova, CZE
2002Anastasija Lwowa, RUS
2007Joyce King, CAN
2008Irina Makeeva, RUS
2009Irina Makeeva, RUS

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75 kilograms

YearChampion
2003Ekaterina Jaskevich, RUS
2003Ekaterina Jaskevich, RUS
2004Gabriela Vasconcelos, BRA
2005Gabriela Vasconcelos, BRA

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80 kilograms

YearChampion
1993Maria Viola, USA
1999Natalia Chrustalewa, RUS
2000Margarita Smirnowa, BLR
2001Egle Vaitkute, LTU
2002Dalia Medsiausyte, LTU
2007Gabriela Vasconcelos, BRA
2008Egle Vaitkute, LUT
2009Egle Vaitkute, LUT

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83 kilograms

YearChampion
2003Andrea Lopes, BRA
2004Andrea Lopes, BRA
2005Lucilene Lopes, BRA

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Over 80 kilograms

YearChampion
1992Sue Morrison, CAN
1993Rose Jowsey, CAN
1999Wika Gabakowa, RUS
2000Wika Gabakowa, RUS
2001Oksana Arschajewa, RUS
2002Wika Gabakowa, RUS
2007Svetlana Tikhonova, RUS
2008Nurcihan Gonul, TUR
2009Nurcihan Gonul, TUR

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Over 83 kilograms

YearChampion
2003Karina Bozieva, RUS
2004Karina Bozieva, RUS
2005Jocilene Bassanelli, BRA

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