Arm wrestling is over the top; Sydney Spartans draw big crowds and even bigger personalities
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with Matt“ Duck Man” Austin
On a recent visit to Sydney Spartans Arm Wrestling, I was blown away by the sheer number of competitors and the
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Ibrahim after wining the match, with Freddy Nagz looking on. |
electric atmosphere. More than fifty men and women turned up to compete, many travelling from as far as Wollongong, Canberra, and the Central Coast, as well as across Sydney, for the monthly meet.
The excitement was high as everyone talked about the upcoming international tournament, Over the Top 2, on the Gold Coast a major event on the global arm wrestling calendar. Among the competitors was Ibrahim, who secured a hard-fought win in a rematch against a rival he’ d lost to eight months ago. A former powerlifter, Ibrahim has been training and competing in arm wrestling for two years.
“ Arm wrestling is a very specialist sport,” he explained.
“ There’ s a lot of pronation movement in your hands and wrists. People who do rowing and bench pressing often adapt well because those movements help with grip and strength.”
Inspired by Canadian legend Devon Larratt, Ibrahim said he loves the camaraderie, focus, and challenge of the sport and hopes to meet his idol at the Gold Coast event.
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Another standout personality is Freddy Nagz, who has quickly become one of the sport’ s most recognisable faces. Once caught up in street life, Freddy credits arm wrestling and his faith with turning his life around.
“ I want to encourage young people to take the fights off the streets and bring them onto the arm-wrestling table,” he said.“ The sport has given me direction, discipline, and a community that supports each other.”
A former professional boxer and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu competitor, Freddy has been arm wrestling for seven months and already hosts events to help grow the sport.
“ Some of the smaller guys can surprise you, technique and wrist control can beat size every time,” he added.
“ A lot of people train daily, focusing on grip and wrist strength. It’ s a real skill, and I’ d love to see arm wrestling become an Olympic sport one day.”
The Over the Top 2 tournament offered major prize money, with winners in each category taking home up to $ 10,000 in cash. With multiple divisions for men and women, the event highlighted the depth of Australian talent and the growing
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Ibrahim preparing for his big rematch.
popularity of the sport.
For the competitors, though, the true prize is in the competition itself testing strength, skill, and sportsmanship against the best in the world.
And judging by what I saw at Sydney Spartans, arm wrestling in Australia is definitely going from strength to strength.
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GWS Giants bolster their roster for 2026
with Matt“ Duck Man” Austin
The GWS Giants have strengthened their 2026 lineup with the blockbuster signing of star midfielder Clayton Oliver on the final day of the 2025 Continental Tyres Trade Period.
The Giants completed a trade with Melbourne recently, sending a future
Leek Aleer re-signs with the Giants. Credit: GWS Giants.
third-round pick to the Demons in exchange for the midfield powerhouse. A three-time All Australian and two-time AFLCA Player of the Year, Oliver is widely regarded as one of the AFL’ s premier contested ball winners. Known for his dominance around stoppages, elite vision, and explosive bursts from congestion, the 28-year-old will add further firepower to the Giants’ midfield brigade.
Drafted by Melbourne with pick four in the 2015 AFL National Draft, Oliver has compiled an impressive career, including a premiership, four club best and fairest awards, and elite rankings across disposals, tackles, handballs, and clearances. He joins an already star-studded midfield group at GWS, adding further depth and class to the club’ s engine room.
Giants executive general manager of football, Jason McCartney, said the club was delighted to secure Oliver’ s services.
“ It’ s a fantastic result that Clayton has chosen to continue his career at the Giants,” McCartney said.
“ He’ s an extremely talented player who will strengthen our list and thrive in the culture and environment we’ ve built. He’ s exactly the type of player who can help us take the next step toward success, and we’ re excited to see his future unfold in orange and charcoal.”
As part of the trade, Oliver is contracted with the Giants until the end of the 2030 season.
The good news didn’ t stop there. The club also announced that rising key defender Leek Aleer has signed a new two-year deal, keeping him at the club until the end of the 2027 AFL season.
Originally drafted with pick 15 in 2021, Aleer has continued to develop his craft over four seasons and is seen as a key part of the Giants’ young core. Born in Kenya to South Sudanese parents, Aleer’ s journey to the AFL is one of resilience and determination, and his new contract is fitting recognition of his talent and growth.
After a breakout 2025 season highlighted by standout performances in the club’ s VFL side and a strong AFL finish with 13 senior games Aleer is quickly emerging as one of the Giants’ most promising defenders.
“ We’ re thrilled to have Leek commit to the club for the next two seasons,” McCartney said.
“ He’ s a player we’ ve invested in and one we believe has a bright future. His athleticism, aerial ability, and desire to improve make him an exciting part of our backline. While there’ s been speculation about his future, we’ ve always been confident that Leek is a valued player and person at our club.”
Clayton Oliver signing up for the Giants. Credit: GWS Giants.
Aleer’ s re-signing adds to a growing list of Giants to recommit in 2025 including Finn Callaghan, Connor Idun, Aaron Cadman, Xavier O’ Halloran, Darcy Jones, Jack Buckley, Ryan Angwin, and Toby McMullin.
With the addition of Clayton Oliver and the re-signing of key emerging talent, the Giants’ 2026 campaign is shaping up as one to watch and the club looks wellpositioned to mount a serious challenge for the AFL Premiership flag.
THE HILLS INDEPENDENT theindependentmagazine. com. au ISSUE 125 // NOVEMBER 2025 29