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Arm wrestling grandad hopes to to carry on into his eighties

Sam Read/BBC Mark Waldon shows off his arm muscles and pulls a combative faceSam Read/BBC
Mark Waldon says he has met people all over the world who arm wrestle

A grandfather who has become an arm wrestling champion now hopes to continue the sport into his eighties.

Mark Waldon, 54, won a gold medal in the grand masters category at the European Championships in Finland.

He only took up the sport three years ago at Milton Keynes Arm Wrestling Club after watching online videos while in bed with Covid.

"I will arm wrestle for as long as I possibly can," he said.

Sam Read/BBC Mark Waldon arm wrestling at Milton Keynes Arm Wrestling ClubSam Read/BBC
Milton Keynes Arm Wrestling Club meets every week at a gym in Wolverton

Mr Waldon, from Flitwick, Bedfordshire, works out for two hours per day and trains for longer than he ever has before.

"Everyone is so friendly, I love it," he said of his weekly practice on a Thursday evening.

Mark Waldon Mark Waldon on a podium with a British flag after winning a European arm wrestling titleMark Waldon
Mark Waldon won the grand masters category for 50 to 60 year olds at the European Championships in Laukaa, Finland

"You have to love it, you have to be dedicated to it. You've got to live it and train as hard as you possibly can."

The European grand masters category is for those aged between 50 and 60.

Mr Waldon won in the 'under 105kg' weight division at the event in May.

He dedicated his win to his father, who died shortly before the tournament. "I really wanted to win it for him and I did," he said.

Sam Read/BBC Mark Waldon arm wrestles his 7 year old grandson Daniel on a dining tableSam Read/BBC
Daniel, seven, is one of Mr Waldon's two grandchildren

The muscle man also arm wrestles with his grandchildren, Grace, four and Daniel, seven.

Daniel described his grandfather's love of arm wrestling as "annoying" because "he always talks about it".

On Saturday Mark will compete at the British Championships in Birmingham to try to add another title to his collection.

Jason Brooks is a member of the same club and has been arm wrestling for 20 years.

He said it was "amazing" that Mark had progressed so quickly in three years.

"I have never met anyone in the sport who has progressed as far and has been as dedicated as he has," he said.

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