David Dadikan recently underwent successful surgery to remove a cyst from his lower back. This cyst had been causing him significant problems for four years, including inflammation, pus, and pressure on his nerves. His health was declining, he couldn't sit normally, and his elbows were starting to hurt, which necessitated the operation. Fortunately, the surgery was a success, and he is already feeling healthy, just over three weeks post-operation, and appears ready to resume training. Dadikan also mentioned that he lost approximately 10 kg due to the operation, now weighing less than 110 kg, but he still looks "like a beast". Humorously, he noted that the timing of his surgery was fortunate because he initially thought he might miss competitions, but "this whole controversy is raging and there are no more competitions" anyway.
In other competitor news, Dennis has returned from vacation and is reportedly looking "very thin". It is suggested that he might be better suited to compete in the 115 kg category, as he does not currently resemble a super heavyweight armwrestler. He is expected to resume training once a match is officially confirmed.
Major Events: Postponements and Uncertainty
The landscape of major armwrestling events remains uncertain, with the Baku event experiencing multiple postponements. It was initially scheduled for August 9th, then moved to August 2nd, then August 30th, and is now set for September 13th. There are even rumors that this September 13th date might be changed again, creating a "strange" situation for event planning and competitor preparation. This constant shifting of dates, combined with Dadikan's observation about the general lack of competitions, indicates a period of instability within the sport.
Controversy and Blame: The "Devon Larratt" Effect
This instability and perceived halt in competitions are largely attributed by some, including David Dadikan, directly to Devon Larratt. Dadikan asserts that Devon is responsible for the current state of affairs, claiming that armwrestlers were "living peacefully" and earning money before "this negative dragon arrived and ruined everything". Dadikan believes that to prevent further issues, Devon Larratt needs to be "completely eliminated" or "removed". While it's sometimes suggested that European armwrestlers might be manipulated by figures like Anggin to criticize Devon, the source questions if it's truly that simple, suggesting these athletes might have observed things themselves to form such strong opinions.
Shaw Classic: The Return of the "Hammer" Trophies
Further adding to the controversy, Brian Shaw announced that the winners of the upcoming super matches at the Shaw Classic, also known as the World's Strongest Arm on earth or East vs. West 19, will receive "WAL style hammers" as trophies. This decision is particularly notable because Engin is reportedly "not a big fan of the hammers". The reintroduction of these hammer trophies is expected to be another point of contention for European armwrestlers and fans. They might interpret it as further evidence of issues that arose "as soon as Devon took the reins".
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