The armwrestling world has been rocked by a heated dispute between two prominent figures in the sport: Engin Terzi, the former owner of East vs. West (EvW), and Robert Baxter, the current owner of both EvW and King of the Table (KOTT). What began as a transition of leadership has escalated into a public feud, with conflicting visions for the sport’s future, allegations of mismanagement, and a divided community of athletes and fans.
The Roots of the Alleged Conflict between Engin Terzi and Robert Baxter
East vs. West, founded by Engin Terzi, emerged as a premier armwrestling organization known for its high-profile matches, international appeal, and professional production. However, in recent years, Terzi stepped back from EvW, reportedly selling or transferring ownership to Robert Baxter.
The alleged disagreement between Terzi and Baxter centers on the direction and management of EvW and its sister promotion, KOTT. Terzi has publicly claimed that Baxter’s leadership has deviated from the original ethos of EvW, accusing him of prioritizing profit over the sport’s integrity. Baxter, on the other hand, defends his approach, arguing that his business-oriented strategy is necessary to sustain and grow the organization in a competitive sports landscape. The conflict came to a head in 2024, with both parties airing their grievances publicly, including through social media, interviews, and statements involving other figures in the sport, such as Kirill Sarychev.
A notable point of contention was an exhibition match involving Levan Saginashvili, widely regarded as the world’s top armwrestler. According to a YouTube video featuring Terzi, Baxter, and Sarychev, a miscommunication led to confusion over the match’s terms, prompting an apology from all three to Saginashvili. This incident highlighted underlying tensions, as Terzi and his supporters argued it reflected Baxter’s mismanagement, while Baxter’s camp viewed it as an isolated misunderstanding.
Armwrestlers come out in support of Engin Terzi
So far many pullers have come up to support Engin Terzi including the likes of Gennadi Kvikvinia, Artyom Morozov, Ibragim Sagov etc.
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“I just want a good atmosphere to remain in this big family. I am staying with Engin, if he is not in the league, then I will not be either!“, Artyom Morozov stated showing his support for Engin.
Armwrestling legend Denis Cyplenkov also came out in support of Engin Terzi.
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“David and I worked, work and will work only with Engin! He behaved with dignity and integrity towards us, therefore we will only cooperate with him!!!“, Denis posted on his Instagram.
Devon Larratt backs Robert Baxter
Amidst all the chaos, Devon Larratt has publicly came up in support of Robert Baxter.
The armwrestling fanbase is equally divided. Terzi’s supporters argue that he built EvW from the ground up, earning loyalty through his dedication to the sport’s grassroots. Baxter’s advocates, however, point to the increased visibility of EvW and KOTT under his leadership, including partnerships with streaming platforms and sponsors. A Reddit thread summarized the sentiment: “Engin has the heart, but Baxter has the wallet. Who’s right depends on what you think armwrestling needs right now”
