Devon Larratt recently spoke out on several trending topics within the professional arm wrestling community, including discussions about European athletes potentially withdrawing from competition and his long-standing involvement in rule changes.
On European Arm Wrestlers Potentially Quitting
Larratt firmly stated his personal commitment to the sport: "I will never quit". While acknowledging the sentiment among some European arm wrestlers to step away, he emphasized that "everybody has the right to quit" if they no longer wish to continue professional arm wrestling. He suggested that their departure, while perhaps disappointing, would not be catastrophic for the global sport, noting, "There are billions of people on this planet. it'll be okay if a couple of guys quit". He also expressed that it "sucks that you guys don't want to fight".
Despite any potential withdrawals from European athletes, Larratt affirmed his dedication to competing at the highest level: "I will continue to compete at the highest level that I can". He identified East vs. West as "the best league" for his competition. Pradeep did suggest that Larratt might "need the Europeans to compete against" given his current skill level, implying a lack of comparable competitors in the USA or North America.
Addressing Rules Manipulation Accusations
Larratt directly confronted "misinformation that's floating around out there" that suggests he is a "liar" or attempts to "change or manipulate the rules" for personal gain. He openly admitted, "I'm always trying to change the rules" and has been doing so for his "entire career".
However, Larratt clarified his motivation, stating his efforts are "for the betterment of the sport". He highlighted his extensive experience, having "arm wrestled probably in more leagues for more time than just about every single person in the world," which he believes gives him "a lot of experience" in improving the sport. He pointed to specific rule adoptions he has advocated for, such as "freedom arm wrestling," "running fouls," "lower pin pads," and notably, he "brought the fair strap into the sport".
He countered the common assumption that he manipulates rules to gain an advantage by asserting, "Rules are the same for everybody". He also made it clear that he "don't own the league," reinforcing that his attempts to influence rules are not from a position of ownership or control. Larratt concluded by reaffirming his dedication to improving arm wrestling, indicating that he will "continue to try and change the rules even after I pass".
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