Simon Whitlock, the former European Champion, has found an unusual side gig to supplement his income: arm wrestling. The Australian, who lost his PDC Tour Card in early 2025 but remains active on international circuits and even won the ANZ Premier League, revealed his new hobby on the Double Tops Podcast. “I win a bit of money arm wrestling. £10, I think, maybe £20. Depends how big their arms are!” Whitlock said.
According to his son Mason, who bought him a dedicated arm-wrestling table, the stakes can be higher. “I’ve seen him do 50 quid arm wrestles before. I’ve seen it. He does do it,” Mason claimed. Whitlock is well aware that arm wrestling is at odds with his primary sport. “I love arm wrestling and I’ll challenge any of the dart players out there. It’s probably the worst thing you could do for darts. I wouldn’t suggest doing it,” he admitted.
Whitlock has developed specific training exercises for arm wrestling, including a unique curl bar routine. “I actually do a few certain training exercises for arm wrestling. I mean, I do a lot of curls, but then I stand my curl bar up on its end and put my hands under the weights and lift up, which strengthens this. So, you’ve got your curl bar, you stand it up, so the weights are at the top and the bottom. And then you put your hands under the weights and lift up and down like that. Yeah, and that does wrists, forearms, shoulders,” he explained.
He cited Arron Monk as one of the toughest opponents he has faced. “Probably the strongest of arm wrestlers. I have sort of challenged [Gerwyn Price] and we haven’t got there yet.” A showdown with Price remains on the cards but has not materialized. Recently, Whitlock faced Lukas Wenig and won. “Yeah, I did last weekend, and I won. I won easy, actually. He’s a power lifter, but he’s got weak wrists,” Whitlock said.
