Local arm wrestlers filled Stride Place yesterday afternoon for the World Armwrestling League qualifiers.

Armwrestling tournaments have been held in Portage before, explains organizer and local armwrestler Ryan Espey, but this was the first time the World Armwrestling League has held an event in the city. He notes they're excited to be a part of it.

Espey says for their first year of hosting the qualifiers there was a strong turnout.

"It looks like about 30 people came out and entered both arms which equates to about 60 entries. So, that's a great turnout for the first year we're doing this."

He adds it's been a positive experience which he'd like to see continue.

"It's been a pretty good experience so far so I'd love for this to continue year after year so we can continue to send athletes from Manitoba on to the World Armwrestling League regionals and finals."

He explains the winners of the qualifiers have the opportunity to go on to compete in the regional championships and from there may be selected to move on to the televised finals held in Las Vegas in June.

Espey says he was happy to see do many people come out to support the event, adding he's very thankful to everyone who helped make the event possible.