Recently at the Portage la Prairie branch of the Royal Canadian Legion, arm wrestling was the event.

Ryan Espey is making a trip to Antalya, Turkey, to compete on Team Canada's 15-member group as they go for the gold in the World Arm Wrestling Championship taking place October 12th to 21st.

"We had arm wrestlers come from all the way out in Saskatchewan, and all the way around Manitoba," explains Espey. "They came from several hours north. And there were lots of people who came out locally to support. We had some new local entrants, and it was a really fun event."

He notes they raised about $1,300 toward his approximately $5,000 worth of expensive's altogether. Espey says he doesn't expect to raise the total amount with fundraisers.

Espey adds there were 50 entries into the event itself, with many spectators jamming the building. He says it's great to have seen so many enjoy the day including some who never witnessed an arm wrestling competition before.

He says he's happy with what he's raised to far, and the trip's going to happen with everything already booked, and he'll try to bring back the gold for Canada.