BoQ Local Going to World Championships
Patrina Brooks on Armwrestling, Family, and Perseverance
In the world of armwrestling, where strength and skill meet, Patrina Brooks shines not only for her remarkable accomplishments as a professional armwrestler but also for the steadfast network of support that has propelled her through the sport. To Patrina, armwrestling isn’t just a competition—it’s a way of life.
Written by Erika Szabo
Read time: 4 min
Patrina has been armwrestling for 16 years, a journey that began when her father Tony Brooks happened upon an armwrestling tournament while watching a UFC match at a restaurant in 2008. Enthralled by the community and the sport, he started attending practices and soon brought his daughters along. What started as a hobby quickly became a uniting force for the Brooks family.
Living in Quinte West (Trenton), Patrina hones her skills with the Belleville Armwrestling Club. Among her many achievements, Patrina recounts a defining moment when she was an inch away from being pinned but dug deep and fought back to win her first championship belt. It’s a testament to her tenacity that has driven her to become a 27-time provincial champion, 13-time national champion, and North American champion, to name a few.
As Patrina trains for the IFA World Armwrestling Championship in Greece on October 4 and 5, her training regimen is nothing short of rigorous. Patrina’s training involves 15 classes and workouts each week that include armwrestling, weightlifting, jiu-jitsu, and Muay Thai. When preparing for competitions, she increases her intensity, cardio, and prioritizes upper-body training. Despite the sacrifices—like time away from family and friends and the challenges of a strict diet—Patrina remains driven by her dream of becoming a world champion.
While there are no rest days leading up to the championship, Patrina reminisces over her love of rollerblading and playing cards in her downtime. She also recounts the little things in life that bring her joy and groundedness, “I enjoy living here in the BoQ. I am in a quiet, beautiful area which I love. I do not enjoy busy and loud places. I like to be able to look up and see a clear sky of stars.”
When asked about her favourite armwrestler, Patrina’s response is instant and heartfelt: her father. It’s evident that Tony isn’t just her coach; he’s her biggest supporter and a constant source of inspiration. “He shows up no matter what, in all areas of life,” she says, highlighting his resilience and unwavering presence. “Doesn’t matter how hurt or exhausted he is, he always shows his strength and heart.” It’s clear that Tony’s influence has inspired Patrina not only as an athlete but as someone who values hard work, dedication, and family.
Armwrestling may be a well-established sport, but less common amongst female athletes. Patrina’s advice to other women in the sport is simple but profound, “Stick with it, have fun, and be humble.” Her journey has shown her the value of having a strong community, and she hopes to see more women experiencing the same sense of belonging and empowerment that armwrestling has given her.
Beyond armwrestling, Patrina is a multifaceted athlete. She’s a purple belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and a Muay Thai fighter, sports that she discovered and fell in love with through a friend. Her passion for mixed martial arts led her to a career teaching at Limitless Brazilian Jiujitsu & Kickboxing in Trenton, where she inspires others to pursue their fitness goals. Patrina is deeply inspired by female MMA fighters like Ronda Rousey, Mackenzie Dern, and Rose Namajunas who share the strength, skill, and competitive spirit she values.
Patrina’s determination is obvious. She knows that the sacrifices she makes now will pay off, and she’s willing to push herself to the limits to achieve her biggest goal: to get stronger and claim the title of armwrestling world champion. With her father guiding her through every win and loss, Patrina embodies the essence of her favourite quote from him, “Don’t choose beauty or the beast, choose the beauty in the beast.”
Patrina would like to give a shoutout and big thank you to her sponsors: Jordan Preisinger, coach, supporter and friend who was a huge part of making this happen and Coloured Aggregates, a family run business where Tony works who helped make it possible for him to be at Patrina’s side. Also the countless support from her friends and family on this adventure.
