Arm Nation is a new 13 episode docuseries on APTN following the lives of over a dozen Indigenous women and men from across Canada who compete in arm wrestling. The first episode premiered Saturday.
In episode four, “The Comeback Kids“, Prince George’s Vern Martel, MĂ©tis, will be highlighted. It will take a look at his comeback to the sport after being diagnosed with an aggressive form of skin cancer three years ago. Martel was forced to retire and go through extensive and successful treatments.
“It’s like having my head on an alien body, it just doesn’t work the same way it used to,” he said.
“I’ve been really struggling with trying to figure out how I can push my body and find a way I can get my strength back.”
Martel has since returned from his retirement, first competing in the BC Provincials in May.
Known as “The Legendary One Arm Bandit”, Martel is no stranger to overcoming adversity. He recalls one incident that happened two years after winning the 1983 World Championships in the 143lbs/65kg right-hand class and the 165lbs/75ks left-hand class.
“Back in 1985, I was involved in a bad motorcycle accident, a collision with a car. I was run over, spent some time in a wheelchair, and recovered in the way of being able to walk but I never recovered in the way of being able to use my left arm.”
Martel will also be in episode 12 of the docuseries. To watch the trailer for Arm Nation, click here.
In Prince George, Martel has run an arm wrestling club since the 1980’s at his home. He says each Wednesday the group of about 11 members get together to learn and train. He says more countries are involved in arm wrestling than compete in the Olympics. Anybody interested in joining can call Martel or message him on Facebook.
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