TRURO, N.S. – Karina Warren has come a long way in a very short time.
The 12-year-old from Manganese Mines started arm wrestling less than five months ago, but has already shown she has what it takes to compete at the highest level.
Karina will put her talents on display at the world championship Oct. 12 to 18 in Antalya, Turkey.
“It’s going to be fun; just the experience,” said Karina, a Grade 7 student at Ecole acadienne de Truro.
Karina qualified for the world event after a second-place finish in both the right- and left-hand U13 60 kg class at the Canadian championship in Montreal in July, where she arm wrestled againt both boys and girls. At the world championship, she will compete in the U18 junior class.
“I hope to finish in at least third place,” she said.
Karina was introduced to arm wrestling last April when she visited the Truro Arm Wrestling Club display while attending the Youth Expo in Brookfield.
“I just kept going back to their table,” she said.
Karina’s first competition was the provincial championship last May in Sackville. There, she won both right- and left-hand U13 mixed youth divisions.
Kenny Snow, who runs the Truro club, said Karina is a natural at the table.
“She’s strong, she’s got the athleticism, but she’s picked up on the technique a lot quicker than a lot of people, and I find technique is everything. A smart arm wrestler will beat a big, strong arm wrestler every time. She’s got it all; she’s an all-around great arm wrestler.”
The furthest Karina has been away from home was a trip to Niagara Falls, Ont., two years ago. She will travel to Turkey with her father Ronald and grandmother Dianne Warren, and looks forward to visiting a new country.
“I really want to see the hotel that I’m staying in – it looks like a castle,” she said.
Snow said the club is proud of Karina and will be following her progress closely throughout the world championship.
“We’re gonna be rooting for her,” he said. “She’s got quite an opportunity coming up. It’s something that a lot of people can’t say they’ve done. To qualify for it, that’s a big thing; a lot of people have been trying for a lot of years and they can’t get there.”
Fundraising
Karina and her dad, Ronald, will be at the Truro Farmers’ Market on Saturday, Sept. 22 and will be accepting donations for her trip to the world championship. An arm wrestling table will be set up and anyone wishing to step up and give it a try is welcome. They will also be selling chocolate bars and $5 board squares for the chance to win $100.
