BRACEBRIDGE - Size didn’t matter when Muskoka’s own Ashley Maher went arm-to-arm against international rivals recently.
Weighing in at just 125 pounds, Maher was the tiniest arm wrestler in her class at the Arnold Schwarzenegger Classic, Feb. 28 to March 3. Named after the famed bodybuilder and actor, the event took place in Jacksonville, Florida this year, and drew 150,000 participants across a variety of sports like fencing, weightlifting and mixed martial arts.
Competing in a portion of the event for elite athletes, Maher took on four other women in the 0-143-pound weight class. Though all of Maher’s opponents were at least 20 pounds heavier than her, Maher ended up taking second place in the competition.
“I competed in this event 10 years ago and placed fourth,” said Maher. “(There’s) very, very tough competition from all over the world.”
Maher and her coach Joey Costello also had an opportunity to meet a variety of celebrities, including Frank Zane and Lou Ferrigno from the Incredible Hulk. Awards were handed out to athletes by UFC fighter Randy Couture.
“We both got personal invitations to return next year to represent Canada,” said Costello.