30-Year-Old Launches Singapore's First Arm-Wrestling Gym After Global Competition

The Rise of Arm-Wrestling in Singapore

In a small gym tucked away in Changi, the sound of slamming hands echoes off the walls. Athletes of all ages train rigorously, perfecting technique and building strength. This is not just a place for casual workouts—it’s a hub for a growing community that sees arm-wrestling as more than just a party trick or a test of machismo. It's a serious sport with a dedicated following, and it's gaining momentum thanks to pioneers like Gregory Yeo.

Gregory Yeo, a 30-year-old entrepreneur, is the man behind Eastside Arm Wrestling—the first dedicated arm-wrestling gym in Singapore. The gym has become a gathering spot for enthusiasts who meet four times a week for club practice sessions. For Gregory, this isn’t just a business venture; it’s a passion project aimed at making arm-wrestling a mainstay in the local sports scene.

A Journey from Schoolyard Rivalries to Global Competitions

Growing up, Gregory was no stranger to arm-wrestling. “I was in a boys’ school, Maris Stella, and it was commonplace to arm-wrestle with friends in between classes,” he recalled. “I was pretty strong, but never really the strongest kid, so after taking my fair share of losses, I decided to take to the Internet to learn techniques about the sport to beat my friends.”

That marked the start of his obsession. In 2010, at just 15 years old, Gregory began studying arm-wrestling seriously—watching YouTube tutorials, reading forums, and analysing everything from grip angles to leverage mechanics. However, for a few years, the sport took a back seat as he focused on school and competitive bowling, where he represented his school in tournaments.

It wasn’t until 2016 that things took a real turn—Gregory travelled to Malaysia to compete in his first “proper” arm-wrestling tournament. Since then, he has competed in events across the globe, including the International Federation of Armwrestling (IFA) World Armwrestling Championships in Paris, King of the Table International in Dubai, and Over The Top Down Under in Gold Coast, Australia, among many others.

From Informal Training to a Dedicated Gym

Competing was one thing, but Gregory never really had a proper place to train. When he first joined the arm-wrestling scene 15 years ago, there were barely any players—probably only about five “serious” arm-wrestlers in Singapore, he estimated. Training usually happened at a friend’s house or under the void deck nearby. Then, starting around 2018–2019, he trained outside a bar along Circular Road.

To give the sport “a certain level of legitimacy,” Gregory decided to take matters into his own hands, and that’s when Eastside Arm Wrestling came about. The gym was launched in Sept 2025 with startup costs of around S$10,000 to S$20,000.

At Eastside Arm Wrestling, a S$30 day pass grants full access for one day, while monthly packages start at S$99. Members come together for training sessions on Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday evenings, as well as Sunday afternoons, each lasting four hours.

Training and Community Building

During these sessions, pullers—a term used in the arm-wrestling community for competitors—spar on competition-standard arm-wrestling tables, refining techniques, testing strength, and, just as importantly, enjoying the camaraderie. Senior members guide newcomers through the basics and fundamentals, helping them build proper form and confidence.

Because arm-wrestling is a highly technical sport, most of the training focuses on sport-specific exercises, which include working with specialised tools and equipment. But the gym also incorporates general strength and conditioning, ensuring members maintain overall fitness and prevent injuries from muscle imbalances.

Supporting this training is a team of experienced coaches, many of whom have clinched medals at overseas competitions. They offer one-on-one coaching for members preparing for tournaments, helping athletes take their skills to the next level.

Growth and Challenges

Singapore has over 500 competitive arm-wrestlers. Currently, Gregory shared that up to 15 members show up on peak training days—but he hopes to see that number grow, though he admits that the sport is still in its early days.

I believe arm-wrestling still has a long way to go in terms of receiving mainstream recognition in Singapore. We are very much still a very grassroots level sport.

That said, the local community has expanded steadily over the years, with around 500 pullers now active across Singapore.

Much of this growth happened during the COVID-19 era, from late 2019 onwards, spurred by online personalities such as Larry Wheels and Devon Larratt who brought global attention to the sport. “Before that, arm-wrestling in Singapore was very slow growing, gaining only maybe three to four arm-wrestlers per year at best,” he explained.

While the sport once mainly attracted those already involved in strength-based disciplines, that’s no longer the case. These days, many newcomers have little to no experience in strength sports, and the community is also diverse, with participants ranging from as young as 12 to as old as 60.

Still, hurdles remain. According to Gregory, the biggest challenge the sport faces is funding. “Arm-wrestling itself isn’t expensive to train for,” he explained. “But competing requires a substantial amount of sponsorship. The biggest tournaments are usually either in Europe or North America, which is very expensive to travel to from Singapore.”

Looking Ahead: Recognition and Expansion

To address this, Gregory has made athlete sponsorship a key goal for Eastside Arm Wrestling. He’s funding some of these efforts personally—in 2023, Gregory sponsored five junior arm-wrestlers to compete at the World Championships in Kuala Lumpur, and last year, he brought in a team of Filipino arm-wrestlers to compete against local pullers.

Looking ahead, Gregory wants to take the sport to the next level. Eastside Arm Wrestling has been working closely with the Singapore Armwrestling Federation, an organisation that develops, governs, and promotes arm-wrestling in Singapore, with the long-term goal of achieving National Sports Association (NSA) status.

Reaching NSA status would be a major milestone—it would officially recognise arm-wrestling as a national sport in Singapore, opening doors to government funding, sponsorship opportunities, and structured athlete development programmes. It would also raise public visibility and pave the way for it to be featured in more mainstream sporting events.

“I feel like the founding of the gym is a good step in the right direction towards this goal,” said Gregory. He believes that building a strong, consistent local community is key, coupled with strong performances in international competitions.

On his part, Gregory continues to promote arm-wrestling through social media and community outreach, hoping to attract more people to the scene. Within the next couple of years, he also plans to expand Eastside Arm Wrestling to a larger space equipped with more professional-grade gear.

“I’d like for more of our athletes to be competing at big international events such as the Asian Championship or World Championships, and hopefully we will have a few more medalists within the next several years.”