Record: 33-6
Hometown: Newburyport, MA
Favorite Technique: Hand/Wrist Strength
Rivalries: Todd Hutchings, Storm Chellino
EFT (Elbow to Fingertips): 21 inches/ 53 cm
WAL TITLES:
2018 - WAL 406 Championships - 1st Place, Middleweight – Right Hand
2016 - WAL Northern Regionals - 1st Place, Middleweight - Right Hand
2015 - WAL Championships - 2nd Place, Middleweight - Right Hand
2015 - WAL Championships – 3rd Place, Middleweight - Left Hand
PHYSICAL SKILLS
Power: 8.4
Speed: 7.6
Hand & Wrist Control: 8.2
Endurance: 8
Core Strength: 8
TECHNICAL SKILLS
Hit: 8
Catch: 8.4
Toproll: 8.8
Hook: 8.6
Press: 8
Counter Moves: 8.4
TABLE IQ: 8.4
* Ratings were compiled from a committee of experts including referees, directors and retired competitors
About Rob Vigeant Jr.
RVJ’s introduction to armwrestling goes as far back as he can remember. Coming from a blue-collar family filled with rough and tumble men who all in their own right were very strong, armwrestling was a daily ritual. The strongest was touted as the flagship family member, the one everyone was proud of. Rob would grow up to stories of his grandfather’s strength and of how his dad would armwrestle in the Air Force with nobody able to beat him. For Rob, being strong meant his dads respect, as It was a representation of the Vigeant family.
Family comes first for RVJ and despite being extremely athletically gifted with college options he dropped out of school to work for the family business, accepting that his athletic days were over. However, years later he fond himself an adult, growing bigger and stronger with the nagging itch to compete, Vigeant explains “Armwrestling was always the quick test of strength for my predecessors and something I always loved and had invested emotionally’ So, Rob began to compete locally against anyone willing to challenge him. However, he wanted to test himself further and test himself outside of his comfort zone and zip code.
In 2004 RVJ drove for four hours to his first armwrestling event and for the first time witnessed organized armwrestling in person. “I felt like a worm and wanted to go home for fear of being out of place, but I stayed. It was panic inducing and when I lost my very first match ever... I wanted out! He says. Despite losing his first match, RVJ persevered and ended up winning the whole event. Armwrestling gave RVJ the confirmation and competition he was looking for, He explains “14 years later I'm still at it and love the process and pursuit. Armwrestling for me has been a lifestyle; it's part of my heritage and me. I imagine I'll do this until I'm a very old man”.
Rob and his Fiancé Heather have four children together, Gabriella, Isabelle, Robbie and Landon.
Motto: "I'd rather die on my feet than live on my knees"