THOMASVILLE — Racks Pool Hall was buzzing as Thomasville welcomed the Florida Armwrestling League on Saturday afternoon. The event, known as the Georgia Classic, was a display of both strength and skill as arm wrestlers from around Georgia and Florida battled it out in front of a packed house.

The competition started off with a seven match series between Georgia and Florida. Arm wrestlers from each state stepped up to the table to claim victory. Local phenomenon Cody Register out of Cairo, Georgia was in attendance and competed in two matches for team Georgia. Though Register, also known as “The Cash Register,” lost both best of five matches, his second match against the man they call Philhower was a back and forth affair that had the crowd on the edge of their seat.

Despite taking the loss, Racks owner Cleveland Watson wouldn’t let Register get down.

“Anybody can beat the odds no matter what adversity. You can overcome anything in life,” Watson said. “I just was talking to Cody (Register) about taking the loss today. There’s no losses in life. If you look in every situation, no matter what it is, and you take something from it and apply it to your life mentally, emotionally, spiritually, and physically it becomes a blessing.”

Team Florida jumped out to an early lead and was dominant, winning the first two matches. Georgia would attempt a comeback after making the series 2-1, but the Florida team was too strong. They took the win in the sixth match, winning the series 4-2.

The competition then moved into the tournaments, where men of all ages and sizes competed against each other for the crown. Weight divisions allowed for fair competition but age didn’t matter. Every age as represented, from the youngest professional arm wrestler in the state of Florida to men with grey hair and decades of experience. Legends of the sport were also in attendance like Jerome Loud, AKA “The Apex Predator,” with everyone was allowed to compete and have a good time.

“This is my first one,” said first timer and amateur arm wrestler William Potts. “I’m more nervous than anything. It’s just fun. I’ve always liked armwrestling and I thought it’s be cool to compete.”

The tournaments were fast paced as participants competed in the best of three matches. Adrenaline coursed through the veins of each arm wrestler as winners faced the crowd with cries of victory and those who failed to capture victory pounded the table in frustration.

Those in attendance stayed locked in on the action as they cheered on their favorites.