Second Dave Chaffee Arms Classic Set for August

The Erie Sports Commission is pleased to announce that Presque Isle Downs and Casino will host the Dave Chaffee Arms Classic II on Saturday, August 13. The event will feature a series of pro and amateur bouts before eight super matches, culminating in a bout between Erie’s own Dave Chaffee and Travis Bagent. 

The event is hosted by Jack Sullivan and REAL Training and Fitness.

Dave Chaffee is a six-time national champion, 2014 and 2015 WAL Champion, 2013 Arnold Classic Champion, and third-ranked heavyweight in the world. Chaffee previously headlined and won the 2015 Dave Chaffee Arms and Bikini Classic at Presque Isle Downs and Casino in January.

Amateur arm wrestling competition will kick off the day at noon, as participants compete in five classes – Pro Right, Pro Left, Women’s Pro, Amateur Right and Amateur Left – for cash prizes.

The super matches are set to begin at 6 p.m. and will feature 16 of the top arm wrestlers in the United States in eight super matches. Matches are set for Fred Dedrick and Jason Darienzo, Storm Chellino and Bill Runkle, Darryl Baideme and Mike Dawson, Bart Wood and Adis Turcinhodzic, Max Maxwell and Craig Soubliere, Ryan Clark and Quinlan Mendez, Tim Bresnan and Marcio Barboza, and Dave Chaffee and Travis Bagent.

Bagent is a 3-time WAL Champion and current WAL Superheavyweight Right and Left Arm Champion.

Admission is $2 for adults and free for kids under 12. Proceeds will benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Registration for competitors will be held Friday, August 12 from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. at REAL Training and Fitness, and Saturday from 10 a.m.-11:30 a.m. at Presque Isle Downs and Casino.

“Real Training and Fitness is excited to continue hosting top-level arm wrestling in Erie as we grow the region’s sports events calendar,” said Jack Sullivan, Owner of Real Training and Fitness, the event’s sponsor and promoter.

 “We’re excited to showcase Dave Chaffee’s talents to a hometown crowd,” said Ron Sertz, Executive Director of the Erie Sports Commission. “Jack Sullivan has proven that he runs high-quality events, and this will be no exception. Presque Isle Downs and Casino was packed with fans for the first Arms Classic, and I have no doubt that we’ll see huge crowds for the Dave Chaffee Arms Classic II.”

More information is available on the Dave Chaffee Arms Classic Facebook page.

The Erie Sports Commission is committed to promoting the Erie region as a prime destination for sports and recreation. The major goals of the ESC are to attract, create, support, and host sporting and recreational events that have a positive economic impact on the region, and assist in maximizing the potential of all regional sports facilities and venues. The ESC strives to enhance the image of Erie by showcasing the community, promote wellness through healthy lifestyles, and improve the quality of life for community members of all ages.