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4 FOCUS - MAY 2015 STRONG LIKE BULL Mike Haigh may be the best athlete youve never heard of. Inducted into both the Ontario and Canadian Halls of Fame in his sport Mikes 30-year career reads like an athletic dream. Humble and passionate on the topic hes philosophical when explaining why arm wrestling appeals to only a limited audi- ence. It suffers from an image problem he says candidly. Its associated with dingy bars and settling wagers. In its simplest form arm wrestling is a friendly test of strength among friends. But taken to a competitive level it demands the same physical training mental preparation and intellectual strategizing as any mainstream sport. The walls of Mikes trophy room are lined with plaques and trophies he has won or been presented over the past 30 years. Photo by J. Peter Hvidsten Mikes 30 year career promoting and competing in arm wrestling landed him in the Hall of Fame Mikes unplanned journey began casually at Crandells Tavern in Port Perry in the mid-80s. I expected to compete against local friends and coworkers he recalls of that initial entry. But most of the competitors were veterans of a well-established arm wrestling circuit. That was a phenomenal first experience even if I didnt come close to winning. What it did was whet his appetite. And when the competition returned to Crandells the fol- lowing year Mike struck up a fruitful friendship with a fellow competitor which would change his athletic life. Todd Steele would become my influential coach. But that night all I wanted to do was pick his brain Steele would ultimately satisfy the newcom- ers thirst for knowledge and greater achieve- ment. Photo on Page 1 - Arm wrestling Champions from left Gary Goodridge of Barrie heavy and middle weight Mike Haigh Port Perry light weight and Leanne Johnston Port Perry ladies division.