HALL OF FAME
Whilst being a relatively new organisation, the PAA UK & IRELAND has benefitted from the support of some of the greatest armwrestlers of these home isles. This page celebrates some of the greats who inspired us & directly supported the formation & continuation of the PAA UK & IRELAND.
We have three amazing pullers that have been inducted into the PAA UK & IRELAND HALL OF FAME. This page records their achievements, with stories & words of appreciation from their friends & contemporaries. If you have a story or memory of your encounters with them please send them via the contact form of this site.
The Original Chesterfield Bad Boy, Alan Greaves was inducted into the Hall of Fame on 12th Oct 2019 by PAA President Paul Maiden. David Horne's Armwrestling archive of British Nationals results shows Alan appearing in the medals for the first time in 1993 & lists his World Championship Gold medals as being 2012 & 2014.
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The day after he wrote: "What a day yesterday inducted into the PAA HALL OF FAME .I would like to thank Paul Maiden and Garry Rickett and all the PAA MEMBERS .40 years in armwrestling and I wouldn’t change a thing."
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Here's what some of his friends wrote in response:
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Declan Dillon
Well deserved king above men
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Ethan Fisher
The best armwrestling coach out there, very lucky to be taught by one of the best!
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Ste Rhino Hurst
U.K. legend right there
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Garry Neal Rickett
It was an honor to receive the award on your behalf it just shows the love and respect you have from the arm wrestling world ! Well deserved Squab!
Vasco Dimitroff
Legend Al
Craig Sanders
Well deserved mate. Living legend!
Sean Graham Paterson
Well deserved Alan
Nick Hall
Awesome
Chris Fellows
110% deserved LEGEND
David Horne
Big congrats and absolutely deserved. You are a British arm wrestling legend!!!
Sam Schofield
Well deserved Jerry Brown. Not sure where you’re going to put it though. Those shelves are looking full!
Paul Maiden
We love you Jerry Brown
Dean Inger
Nice one mate
Adam Kaczor
Daddy Champ
Jonty Murphy
Absolute definition of the word legend! And a true gent too!
Daniel Tutt
well done champ
Dean Thomas
Obviously well Deserved Jerry Brown
Agy Gorzynska
Well deserved!!!
David Bradford
Legend Al, well deserved pal
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James Beech
The original bad boy and and actual living legend. Congratulations pal that’s well deserved.
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David Horne
"My first knowledge of Alan was seeing him in the 1988 Strength Athlete magazine"
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Nick Hall:
"MrGreaves the daddy of armwrestling in the uk legend , don’t miss his snoring from Brazil it was like a tractor with no exhaust.."
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Dan Earthquake:
"At my first tournament in Sussex in 2019 I was ill, hopeful to recover but overall just glad to be there. I saw Alan Greaves pull on a refs shirt & he smiled all day. I thought - I want to be as happy as that guy is when I'm his age. I didn't know then what pedigree he had. Now I know, he's even more impresssive."
Andrew Thorn was inducted into the Hall of Fame on 26th November 2022 by Alan Greaves. David Horne's Armwrestling archive of British Nationals results shows Andy appearing in the medals for the first time in 1996.
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Andrew writes: "I started armwrestling in the 80s in pubs around croydon on bar tables. My first competition: I was thrown in at the deep end against top armwrestlers, my first British championship was 1980s in West Norwood. I Came 5th. I went on to arm-wrestle around the east end with different promotors and got into assisting in organising British championships and pub competitions - I worked with the British tourist board and Chas Brooks who was one of the main promotors at the time In the 90s. I was beating top armwrestlers in the country and world, coming close to winning arm wars title and British titles. I never won a British title but won southeast championships and regional comps. Motivation was the people I met and the places I competed in. To this day I love the sport and still winning trophies. My aim is a world senior grand masters title now I’ve reached 60 over the years..(click button below to watch) ...Me in the 80s just after the over the top auditions in Coventry - I was ref and promoting armwrestling - bit young there."
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The Baker:
"Andy Thorn, a friend of mine...we clicked in Devon when we gripped up, my hands felt what is this a cactus? Cactus Jack - so from then on his name was that. The best guy I know, a good man to all, Andy Thorn fame for all."
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Nick Hall:
"I first met Andy Thorn in the late 90s always spoke to us in the early days giving us support I remember him being a very strong hook puller , both (he & Alan are) great guys."
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Dan Earthquake:
"I lost a match to Andy in one of the Sussex events. He was very generous with some advice & since then always has a kind word or two & helps me warm up in a hurry. We've pulled a few times since that first match & he always gives me a bit & makes me work rather than just smashing me over like I know he could. A much loved character & one of the greats for sure."
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Andy Thorn's Hall of Fame medal did not arrive in time for his induction at the 2022 Pro Nationals. It eventually found its way to him via Devon Larratt at the ARMGODS Valhalla event in Ireland in Jan 2023.
Garry Rickett was inducted into the Hall of Fame on 30th November 2024 by friend & training partner Alan Greaves. Alan spoke of his friend's commitment, dominance & great character. David Horne's Armwrestling archive of British Nationals results shows Garry appearing in the medals for the first time in 2005. He won the World Championship Gold in 2012. Here's what his friends wrote about him:
"Gary was untouchable for a number of years when I was younger and I managed to get him a few times in my early 20s...The level of Gary’s left was ridiculous, everywhere was rock strong." - Chris Rimmer
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" I only pulled him once in a super match, back in 2013. Even when I was allowed to get into my happy place I still couldn't pin this strong man! But of course winning the national champs a dozen times shows his quality. Congrats Garry!!" - David Horne
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"Garry Rickett defines the word legend i personally have seen the wars this man has been in Garry has never took a backwards step to no man even when he was injured he was dangerous on that table especially left arm. The best achievement I have seen I think it was in Brazil I was watching on YouTube when the great man won the world championship couldn't of happened to a better person so yes I class Garry as a good friend of mine and so glad he's got into the hall of fame well deserved." - Chris Waters.
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"Legend is a term well over used, but how else do you describe Great Britain’s best ever left armer!! It was back at FarmWars when I witnessed what a true legend is . In order to give Garry a challenge, 12 arm wrestles lined up on one side of the table with Garry alone on the other and within a matter of minutes he had pinned each and everyone without breaking a sweat ! Congratulations to him for the hall of fame induction." - Dean Bolt
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"Garry is one of the best arm wrestlers in England for me. One of the first people who accepted me here as a foreigner. Very nice, helpful and friendly." - Adam Kaczor
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"When I saw the ARMGODS Triple Crown poster I thought it looked like Garry Ricketts & me. That's about as close as I'll ever get to be mentioned in the same breath - he's an impressive individual & I admire him a lot." - Dan Earthquake.
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"I was newish with Tom at the Crofters. He walked in. He was a unit. I asked who he was & they told me it was Garry Rickett. He looked very strong. I got a pin on his right arm once. Left, I didn't get anything." - Lee Webber.
"My story isn't funny or very entertaining but it s real and gets me where I am today !!!! Why would yo ask???? Well Garry Rickett multiple British champion and world champion has shown me levels of power I never expected existed at that time. I started my armwrestling with Alan Greaves and Garry rickett. Because I favour my left arm it was Garry who was the man to chase. He was considered the best left arm in the UK at that time and also one of if not the best UK has ever had .... I climbed and passed in power other established pullers in chesterfield bad boys , but it wasn't the case with Gaz. He was iron always. His wrist and side pressure is something I remember well even today. Match ready Garry rickett in his prime wud play with today's top UK super heavyweights. He was amazing to train with. Always would let me get in good positions where I cud build power but also would humble me with powerful and fast ready goes when thought I was getting strong..... Once I messaged,, I want Gaz best of 5 next sat ,, quickly regretted it afterwards haha.... He was a beast on that left arm and probably still would be if not some injuries and pains.
Sometimes me and John Scowby wud come back after maidens event or paa tournament with 3-6th place , proudly showing Gaz and Alan our certificates haha they d always say ,, fekin shithousees on about me and Scowby to wind us up 🤣🤣 we always have a laugh at that
Gaz is a real gentleman hence why it was a privilege to me to give him good training pulls. I never gained faster than in that time when I battled the Ironstone on Chesterfield Bad Boys table at Alans backyard..... Amazing memories" - Wojtek Jablecki
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"Gary was my second ever supermatch on left in farm wars he hammered me 3/0 and he said good job son I said thanks Dad and he's been my armwrestling dad ever since 😆 I've never pinned him on left he's the best ever left hander that came from Britain. Pure power house and he'd let you set up whatever way you want but it never would make a difference lol. Gentleman and a beast. We got on from the very beginning due to his love of Guinness. Him and Alan Greaves are the legends of British armwrestling in my eyes. If you put everyone in their prime from Great Britain and Ireland in a left arm tournament Gary would the winner hands down." - Adrian O'Dwyer
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"Garry was always winning everything!" - Alan Milne
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"Garry helped me out with money in my early days armwrestling, I went to world championships in Lithuania in the junior class without a pot to piss in and he noticed I was struggling at the time so just gave me £50 to help me out with food etc. We've had some memorable battles in the overall finals over the years." - Tom Holland