Arm wrestling match in Davao ends in fractured arm

What started as a friendly arm wrestling match among cousins during a family reunion ended in a painful injury after one of them fractured his arm.

According to Kuya Kim’s report on “24 Oras” on Tuesday, seaman Ro-Jay Gamoza recently returned home to Davao, where he reunited with his cousins and siblings.

During the gathering, the group decided to have some fun by challenging each other to an arm-wrestling match.

Among them, Ro-Jay’s brother, Romeo, was considered the strongest.

“Among us cousins, he was the strongest. He beat all of us,” Ro-Jay said in Filipino.

Romeo later agreed to a rematch against their cousin Jether.

“One of our cousins used his body weight. My sibling, on the other hand—driven by ego—forced it,” he said.

But Romeo’s arm had an improper position during the match.

“I actually heard the bone snap, his arm gave way. His hand lost all its strength. I was worried, sir, that that happened,” he said.

Romeo was rushed to the hospital, where doctors found that the bone in his right arm was fractured.

“So, the doctor decided to put it in a cast. He was still feeling pain, and his arm was still swollen. The lesson for us is that if we want to do things like that, we need proper training,” he said.

Bones may be strong, but they are not immune to fractures. According to Kuya Kim, bones are made up largely of minerals such as calcium phosphate, which contribute to their strength, while collagen fibers provide flexibility.

The femur, or thigh bone, is the largest bone in the human body and is also among the strongest. It is designed to withstand much of the force generated when a person stands, walks, or runs.

However, bone strength can be affected by several factors, including age, nutrition, hormones, certain medical conditions, and physical activity.

“In the video, it was a case of multiple stresses on the bone. And then, his opponent was too much for him,” said orthopedic and sports surgeon Dr. Wesson Pious Espiritu in a mix of Filipino and English.

“For professional arm wrestlers, there are specific exercises they do to strengthen the muscles that support the humerus. If you aren't a professional and you engage in it, that risk is always there."

Espiritu advised those who want to try the sport to undergo proper training and learn the correct techniques.

“What I can recommend, you make sure that you have the proper training and you have the proper knowledge. If you're really not sure about the sport, might as well stay away from it."

—Jade Veronique Yap/CDC, GMA News