Strength in family: How South Africa's Natashja Meintjies conquered the arm wrestling table

Natashja Meintjies’ arm-wrestling journey began when she went to support her son in 2023, only to discover she had a natural strength and aptitude for the sport.

“I’ve always loved competing against friends and colleagues. Then my son became interested in the sport, and we started training together,” said Meintjies.

Speaking to Eyewitness News, Meintjies shared how special it is to share a competitive passion with her son. “We challenge each other, and he definitely enjoys showing me that he’s stronger and better.”

The high-ranking athlete represents the Valiant Arms Club in Pretoria North and has become one of the most consistent podium finishers in the South African women’s divisions. However, she emphasises that the sport requires more than just raw power.

“The most important thing is to stay in a safe position and remain focused. If you rush into a match without knowing what to expect, you risk injuring yourself or your opponent,” she explained.

Meintjies finished second at the 2025 Armdruk is Groot, securing her spot as a top-ranked female puller in the league. While she missed the 2025 World Armwrestling Championships in Bulgaria due to injury, her sights remain set on the global stage.

“I still have a lot to learn. I would love to compete at the World Championships. Unfortunately, due to injury and other obstacles, I couldn’t attend the last one, but I will be at the next.”

Initially a right-hand specialist, Meintjies underwent intensive training to develop her left arm. Her dedication paid off, and she now regularly reaches the podium using both.

“The left arm is often underestimated, especially by right-handed pullers. You might think it’s your weak arm, but most of the time it can actually be stronger—you just need to get past that mindset.”

READ: The rise of South African armwrestling star Leandro Cordier

Since 2023, Meintjies has dominated the national scene with an impressive list of accolades:

Arnold Classic Africa (2023): 1st Place (Right Hand) and 3rd Place (Left Hand).

SA National Championships (Paarl): 1st Place (Right Hand) and 2nd Place (Left Hand).

East vs West Qualifier (Istanbul, 2023): 1st Place.

East vs West International (Türkiye): 3rd Place representing South Africa.

“Istanbul was a game changer,” she noted. “Competing at that level without really knowing what to expect, along with the language barrier and other challenges, made it a completely different experience.”

Success in the arena requires a delicate balancing act. As a working mother running two businesses, Meintjies has to be intentional with her schedule.

“It can be difficult to find time to train. When I know I have a big match coming up, I make it a priority to focus. I usually don’t train for two weeks before a match, so I can rest my muscles and avoid unnecessary injuries.”

Meintjies is now calling for women of all ages to test their strength and try the sport for themselves.

“You’ll never know what you’re capable of until you try,” she said. “Arm wrestling in a bar is more about ego and showing off big biceps. Competitive arm wrestling is different, you compete to win, but you still walk away as friends.”