The Uganda Arm Wrestling Championship at the Mamerito Hotel Bweyogere on Thursday ended in a disappointing display for Ugandan competitors, as foreign athletes dominated the event.
Despite high hopes and expectations from local fans, it was the Cameroonian Nembo and Russian Artem Kuzmin who emerged victorious in the two main categories.
The duo, who had previously clinched gold at the 2023 Mr. Uganda Championship, showcased superior strength, technique, and experience, proving too much for their Ugandan opponents.
One of the most anticipated matches of the night was between Paul Otim and Peter Mulala, two Ugandan favorites who reached the semifinals. However, neither managed to secure a podium finish.
Kuzmin, in particular, displayed exceptional dominance, defeating Ronald Katumba 2-0 in the semifinals before effortlessly overpowering Ronald Mubiru in the final.
Mubiru’s attempts to resist were futile as he was swiftly pinned to the table.
Moses Musonge, president of the Uganda Arm Wrestling Association, acknowledged the foreign dominance as a valuable lesson for Ugandan players.
He expressed disappointment in the absence of female competitors and attributed it to the fact that many players are students. Musoga vowed to organize future events more effectively to accommodate those with academic commitments.
After claiming gold in the 81-90kg category, Dimitry Nembo tauntingly questioned the whereabouts of Uganda’s strong men, highlighting the ease with which he defeated Otim, a local fan favorite.
