24-05-2025
Local team wins 10 medals at British Championships
A local team has returned triumphant with 10 medals from the British Sit Down Arm Wrestling Championships.
Grizzly Grip, a Woodley-based arm wrestling and grip team, saw all four of its competitors excel at the event in Sussex.
The team members were Mark McGinley from Woodley, Ben McGibbon from Bracknell, and Dean and Owen Carden, both from Tilehurst.
Dean Carden clinched four medals, including first place in both Left Arm Novice 95kg+ and Right Arm Novice -95kg categories.
His outstanding performance also saw him secure third place in both Left Arm Overalls and Left Arm Professional -95kg, earning him professional status in sit-down arm wrestling.
His brother Owen, who previously established himself as a stand-up arm wrestler, earned two medals in his first sit-down competition, securing second place in both the Left Arm Novice 95kg+ and Right Arm Novice 95kg+ categories.
Mark McGinley took home three medals, including first place in the professional super heavyweight division left arm, and second and third places in the left arm overalls and professional super heavyweight right arm, respectively.
Ben McGibbon rounded off the team's success by securing third place in the right arm professional class -95kg.
Mark and Ben, who started competing as novices in 2022 and became novice champions, have continued to participate every year since, either winning or placing.
This year was particularly special as they competed under the Grizzly Grip banner for the first time.
The team expressed their gratitude to the British Sit Down Arm Wrestling Association and the Sussex Arm Wrestling Team for organising the event.
