By Zaya Williams

Daniel Antonio from Antigua has emerged as a champion at the prestigious Arnold Classic Europe arm-wrestling competition, showcasing his remarkable arm-wrestling prowess on Saturday.

Competing in the over 100kg beginner category, Antonio secured the first-place title and achieved a fifth-place finish when taking on world champions in the seniors over 100kg division.

This marked Antonio’s third international competition, a testament to his dedication to the sport since he started arm wrestling three years ago.

Much like his previous appearance in Dubai, the event held in Spain received sponsorship from Cool and Smooth, along with additional support from Automotive Art and the Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, Gaston Browne.

Daniel Antonio is an active member of Brothers in Armz 268, a three-year-old arm-wrestling group he founded in the twin island state of Antigua and Barbuda.

Their mission is to foster the growth of arm-wrestling and provide an additional avenue for competitive sports in the Caribbean.

On October 14, 2023, two of their members, Daniel Antonio and Joshua Rabess, expressed their aspirations by participating in the Arnold Classic International Arm-wrestling Championship.

Their objective was to promote this tournament and their arm-wrestling group within Antigua and Barbuda, with the aim of popularizing the sport regionally and capturing the attention of international clubs.

To support their journey, Antonio and Rabess initiated a GoFundMe campaign to secure funds for their travel from the VC Bird International Airport in Antigua to the Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport in Madrid, Spain.

The Arnold Classic Europe & Fitness Sports Games is an internationally acclaimed EXPO and multi-sports event that appeals to enthusiasts of a healthy lifestyle, sports, and fitness.