EudoraNews.com

A former Eudora resident is flexing a little muscle for a sport that's a little over the top.

As a child, Brian Oleson would arm wrestle and often beat his brother and father. He would often test his strength against peers and discover he could win. He would even go to a Lawrence rolling skating rink and wrestle there.

"I've always been arm wrestling, since I was 9 or 10 years old," Oleson said. "I was littler and I still just beat all the other guys."

Former Eudora resident Brian Oleson has competed in arm wrestling tournaments around the region for six years. Oleson hopes to one day make it to the national tournament and gain induction into the hall of fame.

At age 18, he began working at the General Motors plant in Kansas City, Mo. Continuing his pastime, a friend suggested Oleson participate in a competition in St. Joseph, Mo.

After that, he was hooked.

"It just escalated from there," said the 24-year-old.

Oleson joined Heartland American Arm Wrestling. He is in the 200 lbs. and over, right-hand division. Participants may wrestle those in divisions above them, but not lower.

He has been in tournaments in Nebraska, Missouri, Kansas and Iowa. Oleson is isn't sure what his chances are for national competition later this year. However, he has taken two third-place awards in past Nebraska State Championships tournaments.

Oleson said his ultimate goal is to see how far his strongarm can take him.

"I'd like to compete in nationals; that's my goal," he said. "I'd like to get to nationals and get inducted to the national arm wrestler's hall of fame."

He encourages anyone who thinks they've got the arm to get involved.

"I think it's great," Oleson said. "It's kind of an off-the-wall sport and not something you'll see every day. It's an extremely competitive sport."

Anyone interested in arm wrestling competition can visit www.armwrestle.com for more information.