The Rock Ranch hosts arm wrestling competition today

For all those who think they are real tough guys or gals, The Rock Ranch is hosting the perfect competition.

As part of Fall Family Days’ Rural Round-Up, The Rock Ranch will hold a 3 to 6 p.m. arm wrestling competition on Sept. 26 for all those who dare to take the challenge. The competition is free and will consist of different weight classes. Contestants can pre-register by e-mail to adampugh@therockranch.com or register the day of the event by 2 p.m.

The best part of the competition is that it comes with its own built-in champion. Milner resident Rick Viars had been beating everyone who came across his path, but it was not until the 1970s that he made it to the national and international scene as a champion arm wrestler.

“I was a pretty good little arm wrestler and everybody kept telling me I should go to the championship on ABC’s Wild World of Sports,” said Viars, who will officiate The Rock Ranch’s competition. “I didn’t want to do it. I was afraid to go out there to Las Vegas. Those guys participating looked like the Terminator or something.”

But, after a couple of years coaxing and, with two of his friends providing him with a plane ticket, Viars had no excuse.

Viars made it to the eighth round in the single-elimination competition.

“I would have made it further,” he said, “but I didn’t understand the rules.”