Ivan Matyushenko

It is impossible to say exactly where and when arm wrestling originated, but it owes its official status to Bill Soberans.

In 1952, a young California journalist Soberanes began holding hand wrestling competitions in a bar in the small town of Petaluma.

In 1962, Bill and Dave Devoto decided to organize the first world Arm Wrestling Championship and held it in Petaluma. The tournament was a huge success and gave an impetus to the development of this sport.

For his contribution to the development of armwrestling, Bill was given a lifetime monument. A bronze Soberanes, frozen in an armwrestling match, adorns the journalist's hometown.