Tug of war at the 1981 World Games
Tug of war was contested in two weight classes for men at the 1981 World Games. These were the first World Games, an international quadrennial multi-sport event, and were held in Santa Clara, California in the United States. The 640 kg tug of war competition was the first event of the games, as it was held immediately following the opening ceremony at the same location, Buck Shaw Stadium.[1] The Swiss athletes were associated with a club from Engelberg, while the United States was represented by a club from Orfordville, Wisconsin.[2] In an interview during the Games, Albert Sabin, the chief judge of the event, revealed that he was from Birmingham, then hastened to add, "England, not (Birmingham) Alabama."[3]
Medalists[edit]
| Event | Gold | Silver | Bronze |
|---|---|---|---|
| Men | |||
| Outdoor 640 kg |  England
|
 Switzerland
|
 Netherlands
|
| Outdoor 720 kg | Switzerland
|
Netherlands
|
England
|
Tug of war, 640kg[edit]
The outdoor 640 kg tug of war event was conducted on 24 July 1981. It was the first event of the first World Games.[8][9]
Results:[7]
- Netherlands def. Wales, 3-0
- England def. Ireland, 3-0
- Switzerland def. Sweden, 3-0
- Netherlands def. U.S., 3-0
- Ireland def. Wales, 3-0
- England def. Sweden, 3-0
- Switzerland def. U.S., 3-0
- Netherlands def. England, 2-1
- Wales def. Sweden, 3-0
- Switzerland def. Ireland, 2-1
- England def. U.S., 2-1
- Sweden def. Netherlands, 3-0
- Switzerland def. Wales, 3-0
- Ireland def. U.S., 3-0
- England def. Wales, 3-0
- Switzerland def. Netherlands, 3-0
- Ireland def. Sweden, 3-0
- Wales def. U.S., 3-0
- England def. Switzerland, 3-0
- Netherlands def. Ireland, 3-0
- Sweden def. U.S., 3-0
Final standing:
- England 15 points
- Switzerland 14
- Netherlands 11
- Ireland 10
- Sweden 6, tie
- Wales 6, tie
- USA 1
Tug of war, 720kg[edit]
The outdoor 720 kg tug of war event was conducted on 25 July 1981.
Results
- Netherlands def. Wales, 3-0
- England def. Ireland, 3-0
- Switzerland def. Sweden, 3-0
- Netherlands def. U.S., 3-0
- Ireland def. Wales, 3-0
- England def. Sweden, 3-0
- Switzerland def. U.S., 3-0
- Netherlands def. England, 3-0
- Sweden def. Wales, 3-0
- Switzerland def. Ireland, 3-0
- England def. U.S., 3-0
- Netherlands def. Sweden 3-0
- Switzerland def. Wales, 3-0
- Ireland def. U.S., 3-0
- England def. Wales, 3-0
- Switzerland def. Netherlands, 3-0
- Sweden def. Ireland, 3-0
- Wales def. U.S., 2-1
- Switzerland def. England, 3-0
- Netherlands def. Ireland, 3-0
- Sweden def. U.S., 3-0
Final standings:[6]
- Switzerland 18 points
- Netherlands 15
- England 12
- Sweden 9
- Ireland 6
- Wales 2
- USA 1
Other known individual participants: SWE – Erik Johansson; USA – Tom Naatz
References[edit]
- ^ SARGIS, JOE (July 24, 1981). "With a simple ceremony, a touch of pageantry and..." United Press International.
- ^ Payne, Dave (July 26, 1981). "Swiss pull off major upset against world champs". San Jose Mercury-News. San Jose, California. p. 3E.
- ^ Payne, Dave (July 25, 1981). "'World' opener attracts 3,000". San Jose Mercury-News. San Jose, California. p. 6D.
- ^ "World Games set to begin with a big tug". San Jose Mercury-News. San Jose, California. July 23, 1981. p. 7E.
- ^ Payne, Dave (July 25, 1981). "World Games opener missed by unlucky duo". San Jose Mercury-News. San Jose, California. p. 1D.
- ^ a b SARGIS, JOE (July 25, 1981). "Ana Maria Carrasco of Venezuela shattered her own world..." United Press International.
- ^ a b McClintock, Judy (July 25, 1981). "World Games I Results At Santa Clara Calif., July 24". United Press International.
- ^ "World Games". San Jose Mercury-News. San Jose, California. July 25, 1981. p. 10D.
- ^ "World Games". San Jose Mercury-News. San Jose, California. July 26, 1981. p. 14E.