WAF - Open Letter from President O'Leary

Open Letter to All Armsporters

February 1, 1999

I have been involved in armwrestling, now known as armsport, since 1956. There have been many changes: from a brawling, bruising spectacle to one that comes up to the standards of International Olympic Committee consideration. There has been a literal bandwagon of countries joining forces with WAF. The changes have included where the events have taken place - out of the barrooms and into the beautiful hotels, coliseums and sports stadiums. The Disabled and Blind have been invited to compete in our beautiful, family oriented sport.

Recently, statements, comments, and rumors have abounded that are not beneficial to any type of sport, let alone armsport. Comments of this nature have no place in our sport. During the growth and maturity of armsport, several attempts, as in all business and/or sports, have been made for hostile takeovers of the WAF. We are proud to say that due to ever-present WAF principles of fair play and democracy, all these hostile takeover attempts have been unsuccessful.

Now, we make this statement:

Mr. Barij Baran Das is and will remain General Secretary of WAF until the year 2000 when the WAF Congress meets in the United States at the XXI World Armsport Championships. At this time, election of officers will take place under the democratic auspices of the WAF Constitution.

Mr. Bob O'Leary is and will remain President Elect of WAF until the year 2000 when the WAF Congress meets in the United States at the XXI World Armsport Championships. At this time, election of officers will take place under the democratic auspices of the WAF Constitution.

I ask all armsporters to judge the WAF on its accomplishments over the past 38 years. Never in the history of the sport has such wide spread unification been realized. Over 70 countries have unified under the WAF to make our organization the largest unified armsport organization in the world. Under the leadership in the past by the late John Miazdzyk, the late Ed Jubinville, Dr. L. Martinez, Barij Baran Das, and Bob O'Leary, to name a few, the WAF grew and prospered. Now, in the present day, under the direction of the current WAF Executive Committee, the WAF continues to grow and prosper each and every year, with more and more countries unifying together. In October 1999, the new All Russian Armwrestling Federation will host the official, sanctioned WAF XX World Championships, including Disabled and Blind divisions, in the great country of Russia.

WAF is strong in all member countries, and new members continue to unify with us. By continuing to work together, we will pursue our ultimate goal - to reach Olympic recognition. By staying unified, as we have done for the past 38 years, we all, one day, will see our goals accomplished.

Bob O'Leary

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