Rarely have I enjoyed interviewing a newsmaker more than I did today (Wednesday, June 19) when I talked to my old friend, Rich Lupkes, who has just recently returned from winning another national arm-wrestling tournament.
Rich is one of the strongest men in the world, but he’s also one of the most humble and normal people you’ll ever meet.
I first met him in the 1980s. Soon after, he was playing with me on a Worthington fast-pitch softball team. He was a catcher then, and when I spoke to him for an article on his arm-wrestling exploits this week, we briefly talked about the old days playing softball together.
I told him, of course, that it would have been great to have him as a teammate after I’d gone on to play with PJ’s Lounge and Odin teams years later, because I would have been much braver in my mouthing off to opposing players. Having a teammate like Rich could’ve allowed me to step aside before the brawl started. I’d just say, “I’d like you to meet my friend, Rich,” and watch my rival apologize on the spot for whatever offense he perpetrated.
Of course, Rich is too nice a guy to want to get into a fight. Still, wouldn’t you want a guy like Rich on your team? Just in case?
For people looking for more information on Rich’s incredible arm-wrestling success, you can go to YouTube on the web and type in his name, Rich Lupkes. A very good video will become available from Midco SportsNet.
It’s amazing to think about it, but actually some of the most remarkable people you’ll ever meet can be right in your back yard. Rich is one of those kind of guys.
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Rich Lupkes is a special kind of guy
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