Cologne, Germany – Tuesday 24th March 2026 – Armwrestling’s global spotlight turns to Germany as East vs West 23 (EVW 23) brings world-class supermatches to the country for the first time, headlined by an epic right-arm rematch between Canadian legend ‘No Limits’ Devon Larratt and Russian powerhouse the ‘Siberian Bear’ Vitaly Laletin. The event takes place on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at the Unihalle in Wuppertal, presented by EVW Sports live around the world via pay-per-view on evwsports.com.
Robert Baxter, CEO of EVW Sports, said: We can’t wait to bring EVW to Germany. We’ve got an incredible card with some fascinating match ups. There’s no way Devon will want to lose to Vitaly twice in a row. He’ll be putting everything on the line. Brian Shaw will have the crowd against him but will want to prove he can make it to the very top of the sport just like he’s done in strongman. Many more thrilling matches for world titles. Tickets are almost sold-out. Join us for what will be an unforgettable night of action.”
Dexter Tan, COO of EVW Sports, said: “This will be the biggest Armwrestling event in history with the largest production budget with the strongest Armwrestling supermatch card ever. Online engagement is at an all-time high and the sport is exploding. Fans on social media are going wild and EVW23 is the most anticipated Armwrestling to-date. Leonidas going up against 4 time strongest man, Brian Shaw in his home country of Germany will make this match an absolute battle.”
A stacked card of elite talent has been confirmed, with the main event delivering unfinished business after Vitaly Laletin’s left-arm victory over Devon Larratt at EVW 22 in Vienna. This right-hand super-heavyweight supermatch promises high stakes action and intense rivalry between two of the sport’s biggest stars.
This match carries massive stakes: following Vitaly Laletin’s victory over Larratt on the left arm at EVW 22 in Vienna, Devon – widely regarded as one of the greatest armwrestlers of all time – refuses to drop two consecutive supermatches against the same opponent. A former Canadian Armed Forces member who began competing at a young age, Larratt has dominated the sport for decades with multiple world titles (including WAL Heavyweight championships on both arms), iconic wins over legends like Andriy Pushkar and John Brzenk, and a career record that showcases his unmatched combination of technique, endurance, and mental toughness. Known as “No Limits” for his relentless drive and innovative training, Larratt has elevated armwrestling’s visibility through content creation and high-profile matchups and now, at 50, he’s hungrier than ever to reclaim dominance and prove his legacy remains untouchable.
Devon ‘No Limits’ Larratt, said: “Vitaly is in for hell. He might be 1-0 up on the left arm, but everyone knows I’m strongest on my right. I feel strong and ready. I’m going to show the world why I’m still number one. I can’t wait to see the fans in Cologne on April 18th.”
Vitaly Laletin said: “The first time was so nice, I’ll have to do it twice. Respect to Devon. He’s a legend. But I’m number one in this division. I proved it on my left when I beat him in Vienna, and I’ll prove it on my right in Germany. Fans are in for a treat.”
Adding explosive crossover appeal, in a right arm super heavyweight showdown, strongman icon and four-time World’s Strongest Man, Brian Shaw collides with German strength sensation Leonidas Arkona in a highly anticipated supermatch. Shaw’s legendary raw strength meets the bulging biceps and forearms of body builder Leonidas in front of a supportive home-crowd in a fan friendly match up with two of the most followed strong-men and body builders facing off.
Four-time World’s Strongest Man, Brian Shaw, said: “I can’t wait to put on a show for fans in Germany. I’m sure the crowd will be against me, but that just spurs me on. I’ve been the strongest man in the world, now I’m on a mission to become the world number one in arm-wrestling – and unfortunately for Leonidas, he’s standing in my way.”
Leonidas Arkona said: “Brian is big and strong, but I’m better. I’m going to have the home crowd behind me. I can’t wait to put on a show in front of my German people. This isn’t strong man, this is arm-wrestling – and I’m going to prove why I’m number one.”
The full stacked card features multiple world title bouts and elite supermatches.
Veteran American Dave “Easy Money” Chaffee defends his right-arm heavyweight world title against dangerous Ukrainian Ivan Matyushenko, with Chaffee’s elite hook and endurance facing Matyushenko’s powerful toproll and aggressive style in a battle for heavyweight supremacy.
Georgian star Davit Samushia puts his right-arm welterweight world title on the line against formidable Alexander Teliatnik, where Samushia’s technical mastery and side pressure meet Teliatnik’s explosive power and relentless drive in a high-level title showdown.
Russian technician Artur Makarov challenges for the right-arm lightweight world title against Lithuanian powerhouse Mindaugas Tarasaitis, featuring Makarov’s precise control and endurance against Tarasaitis’s aggressive hooks and raw strength in a fast-paced lightweight war.
Explosive left-arm super heavyweight action as Artyom Morozov takes on Alizhan Muratov, with both known for devastating power and quick finishes in what promises to be a brutal, high-stakes supermatch.
Women’s left-arm open weight features Lithuania’s Egle Vaitkute against Turkey’s Azra Sari, showcasing elite female talent with Vaitkute’s technical prowess clashing against Sari’s strength and determination.
French star Aymeric Pradines faces American Matt “Wild Horse” Mask on the left arm, pitting Pradines’s speed and versatility against Mask’s aggressive style and experience in a light heavyweight thriller.
A press conference is set for Friday, April 17, 2026, at FIBO in Cologne, giving media and fans direct access to the athletes ahead of the action.
This blockbuster event is presented by EVW Sports, with PPV and limited tickets available worldwide through evwsports.com. For more details, visit the website or follow EVW Sports on Instagram and YouTube.
