The last few years have been a bit of a roller coaster for Renfrew native Curtis Cameron.
The 37-year-old father and construction worker was climbing the arm wrestling ranks when in 2022 he suffered a devastating injury that for some would have meant the end of competition.
Cameron, aka Pork Chop, had travelled to Turkey for the East versus West competition, matching up against Georgian champion Zurab Tavberidze, when in the second round he tore his bicep. He returned home and was able to have surgery within six days. Since then, frankly, he hasn’t looked back.
Coming up next on that upwards trajectory is ArmGods Valhalla 3, in Ireland, on March 23, where Cameron will face Bulgarian World Champion Yordan Tsonev.
Cameron, a former provincial super heavyweight champion and national right arm champion only started arm wrestling competitively in 2018 when he did a bit of online research.
“I went on to Facebook and started searching for arm wrestling tournaments in the area and I had found the Ottawa Open and I ended up showing up from the street and I competed in that event and I did really well,” he said.
That experience connected him with the Ottawa High Hookers, a group he’s been a part of ever since, and his mentor and coach Devon Larratt, who is currently the east versus west heavyweight and super heavyweight champion of the world.
He’s grateful for the opportunities the sport has afforded him.
He’s also grateful for the support from family, friends and fans.
“It’s definitely motivating. I have people from all over the world reaching out to me. I do have Instagram, think I have almost 6,000 followers on there,” he said.
As for the March 23 ArmGods match, Cameron said he may be considered a bit of an underdog, but he shouldn’t be counted out.
ArmGods content, including the upcoming event, can be viewed online with a membership, Cameron explained.
“It’ll be a pay-per-view event. It’s all arm wrestlers from across the world competing against each other and yeah, it’s going to be a very epic event.”
(Written by Sherry Haaima)