Welcome to Usarmwrestling

The United States Armwrestling Association, In. (USAA) is a non-profit corporation based in Billings that

was established in 1985. In their 40-year history the USAA has hosted over 1000 in 39 states. Their

reputation worldwide is one of respect, quality and admiration. Their officers and referees have been

used as consultants and personnel in many of the high-profile tournaments being held in the United

States, Canada and many International events. Among other reasons, the USAA is well known for the

quality of their referees and bracketing staff. Each of the referees has had many hours, over many years,

of training and experience, as a referee, in addition to the training and experience they have had as

Armwrestling competitors. The most important factor in Armwrestling promotion is to use qualified

referees. Using qualified referees assures the athletes that their safety is our top concern. The

USAA/USWA is unique in that it is a non-profit organization. It was established with the goal to improve

and promote the sports of Wristwrestling and Armwrestling. USAA was a founding member of the USAF,

which used to be an umbrella Association for Armwrestling promoters. USAA left that group in 2012 due

to differences in objectives.

In 2016, the USAA established the “USAA Certified Armwrestling Promoter” program which assists

responsible, reputable Armwrestling promoters all over the U.S.

The USAA Certified promoters host quality events that use skilled, experienced referees, offer custom

awards and free t-shirts to their athletes

History of the United States Armwrestling Association

 The World Wristwrestling Championship (WWC) sanctioned the USAA to host events in

1984. The WWC was held in Petaluma, CA. and was televised on ABC’s Wide World of

Sports from 1961 to 1997.

 In 1985 the USAA was established as a non-profit corporation in the state of Montana

 Our first event was held at the Red Door Lounge on N. 27 th St. on March 9, 1985.

 From 1990 to 2005 the USAA staffed and ran the World’s Wristwrestling Championship

in Petaluma, CA at the Veteran’s Memorial Hall.

 From 1992 to 1998 the USAA, with Denise Wattles as Team USA Manager, selected and

took a team of Armwrestlers to Moscow, Russia to compete at the annual “Gold Bear

Armwrestling Championship”.

 The 1 st USAA National Wristwrestling Championship was held in Deadwood, SD at the

Deadwood Gulch Resort in 1993.

 The 1 st USAA National Armwrestling Championship was held at the Tahoe Biltmore Hotel

in North Lake Tahoe, NV. in 1994.

 The USAA has hosted three World Armwrestling Championship. 2002 in Springfield,

Illinois at the Hilton Inn. 2010 in Mesquite, Nevada at the Virgin River Hotel and Casino.

2021 in Orlando, Florida at the Hilton Orlando Buena Vista.

 At the annual Arnold Fitness Weekend (hosted by Arnold Schwarzenegger) the USAA

opened the show with Armwrestling on the main stage for 20 years. This fitness expo

was attended by more than 250,000 spectators.

 The USAA has led a Team of athletes to compete in the World Armwrestling

Championships since 1998 to 13 different countries. Some of these countries include:

Turkey, Russia, Greece, Malaysia, Italy, So. Africa and Bulgaria.

 Leonard Harkless was elected to the position of “International Head Master Referee” in

2002 and still holds that position.

 In 2022 Denise Wattles was elected to the position of General Secretary of the

International Federation of Armwrestling in Normandy Beach, France.

 Under the direction of Denise Wattles, Leonard Harkless and the USAA Team USA

Armwrestling has been ranked Number #1 in the World for the last 3 years. The World

Armwrestling Championships each year has over 40 countries represented that include

more than 1000 competitors.