New Mexico Armwrestling Hall of Fame
2008 - 2012
2008 - Mike Apodaca
2009 - Michael Duenas
2010 - Willie Garley
2011 - Chris Futhey
2012 - Philip Baca
2013 - 2017
2013 - Ed Baca
2014 - Donna Corley
2015 - Peggy Walton
2016 - Tim Chavez
2017 - Bryan Dyche
2008 Mike Apodaca
About Mike
- Started: 1985.
- City/State: Los Lunas, New Mexico.
- Supermatch Song: Ted Nugent "Stranglehold".
- States: (7) CO, NM, CA, AZ, NV, TX, ID.
- Check out Mike competing at the 1993 Yukon Jack Regionals in Albuquerque, NM........
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eaQsjRwzzDI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KDP1Dc7fM6Y
Titles
State/Regional:
- Winner of many tournaments in NM, AZ, and TX during his 15+ year career.
- (NM) 13-time New Mexico State Champion (2nd All-time).
- (NM) AAA Yukon Jack Regionals Albq - 3-time Champion. (record)
- (NM) 1993 AAA Yukon Jack Regional Finalist.
- (CO) 1996 Competed at AAA Yukon Jack Regionals (Denver).
- (CA) 1996 AAA Yukon Jack Regionals (Sacremento) - 5th.
- (AZ) Arizona State Champion.
- (NM) 2009 NMA New Mexico Games Champion.
- (CO) 2009 MHA Colorado State Finalist.
- (NM) 2010 NMA Southwest Regional Finalist.
National/International:
- (CA) 1993 Competed at AAA Yukon Jack International Championship.
- (NV) 1994 WPAA National Champion.
- (ID) 1995 Competed at the AAA National Championship.
- (NV) 1996 WPAA National Finalist.
- (NV) 1997 Competed at USAA National Championship.
Records/Rankings/Awards
- The most dominant Armwrestler in New Mexico history.
- Multi-time New Mexico Armwrestler of the Year.
- 2009 NM Comeback Armwrestler of the Year.
- New Mexico All-time Team: 1990, 2000, 2010,
- Ranked #1 NM WPAA - 193#, 219#, 220+#.
- Ranked #1 NM WAF - 198#, 220#, 242#, 243+#.
- Ranked in the top 10 in the US. (WPAA).
- 10-time NM #1 Overall Champion 1991 - 2000. (record)
- Undefeated in New Mexico 9 years (record).
- 3-time AAA Yukon Jack Regional Champion (record).
- Referee: United States Armwrestling Association, Mile High ArmSports, New Mexico ArmSports.
2009 Michael Duenas
About Michael
- Started: 1981.
- City/State: Los Lunas, New Mexico.
- States: (2) NM, IL.
- Check out Mike competing at the 1993 Yukon Jack Regionals in Albuquerque, NM........
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eaQsjRwzzDI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KDP1Dc7fM6Y
Titles
State/Regional:
- Winner of many tournaments in NM and IL during his 10+ year career.
- (NM) 6-time WPAA NM State Champion (double class winner each year).
- (NM) 2-time AAA Yukon Jack Regional Finalist.
- (NM) 1998 AAA Southern NM Regional Champion.
National/International:
- WPAA National Champion.
Rankings/Records/Awards
- 2-time NM #1 Overall Champion (1989, 1990)
- Ranked #1 in NM WPAA - 169#, 193#, 219#, 220+#.
- Ranked #1 in NM WAF - 176#, 187#, 198#, 220#, 242#, 243+#. (2nd All-time).
- Ranked in the top 10 in the US. (WPAA).
- NM All-time Team: 1990, 2000, 2010.
- NM First Round Draft Pick 1989.
- Multi-time NM Armwrestler of the Year.
2010 Willie Garley
About Willie
- Started: 1984.
- Location: Belen, NM.
- States: (7) CO, NM, SD, CT, CA, NV, AZ.
- Check out Willie competing at the 1993 Yukon Jack Regionals in Albuquerque, NM........
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eaQsjRwzzDI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KDP1Dc7fM6Y
Titles
State/Regional:
- Winner of many tournaments in NM during his 15+ year career.
- (NM) Multi-time Valencia County Champion.
- (NM) 7 time WPAA NM State Champion.
- (NM) 1984 WPAA NM State Finalist.
- (NM) 1993 AAA Yukon Jack Regional Champion.
- (NM) 2015 MHA/WTA NM Games Finalist.
- (NM) 2018 MHA 9/11 Memorial Run Challenge - 3rd.
- (CO) 2018 CA CO State Champion.
- (NM) 2018 MHA/WTA SW Regional Champion.
- (NM) 2019 NMA NM State - 4th.
- (NM) 2019 MHA/WTA NM Games - 3rd.
- (TX) 2019 WTA West TX Regionals - 3rd.
National/International:
- (CA) 1993 Competed at the AAA Yukon Jack International Championship.
- (CT) 1994 Competed at the AAA Nationals.
- (SD) 1996 USWA National Wristwrestling Champion. (1st/3rd)
- (NV) 1997 Competed at the USAA Nationals.
- (CO) 1998 USWA National Wristwrestling Championship - 4th.
Records/Rankings/Awards
- NM All-time Team (1990, 2000, 2010).
- Ranked #1 NM WPAA (169#)
- Ranked #1 NM WAF (154#, 165#, 176#).
- Ranked #1 NM Lightweight 7 years (2nd All-time)
- Awarded Recognition of Achievement Award from the State of New Mexico.
- Multi-time NM Armwrestler of the Year.
Promoting
- AAA NM State Director 1993-1998.
- Head referee New Mexico 19?? - 19??.
- Promoted in NM 19?? - 19??
More about Willie
- Most memorable match/tourney: Representing NM at the Yukon Jack International Championships in San Francisco, CA.
- Toughest opponent: Allen Fisher.
- Favorite technique: Top Roll.
- First tourney and how did you place: 1984 NM State Championships - 2nd place.
- Special thanks - With deep appreciation to my family, sponsors, and friends.
2011 Chris Futhey (RIP)
About Chris
- Nickname: "Master of the Futhey Flop".
- Started: 1996-2009.
- Location: Pie Town, NM.
- Supermatch Song: AC/DC "Back in Black".
- States: (7) CA, NV, VA, NM, ID, NM, CO.
- Countries: (4) USA, India, Russia, Mexico.
Titles
State/Regional:
- (CA) 2-time Yukon Jack Regional Champion.
- 97' (CA) CA State Champion.
- 98', 99', 01' (CA) CA State Finalist.
- 99’, 00' (CA) Patterson Apricot Fiesta Finalist.
- 99' (NV) Reno Reunion Finalist.
- 00', 02' (CA) CA State - 3rd.
- 00', 02' (NV) Reno Reunion Finalist.
- 01’ (NV) Reno Reunion Pro/Am Champion.
- 01' (NV) Silver State Games Champion.
- 02' (NV) Hollister Rally - 3rd.
- 03’ NV) Reno Reunion Pro/Am – 3rd.
- 07', 08' (NM) NM Games Champion.
- 07', 08' (NM) NM State Champion.
- 08' (NM) Blackie's Challenge Overall Champion.
- 08’ (CO) CO State Champion.
- 08’ (NM) Fuddrucker’s Pro/Am Champion.
- 09’ (NM) NM Games Finalist.
- 09' (NM) Sturgis Bound Rally Overall Champion.
- 09’ (NM) Southwest Regional Champion.
National/International:
- 96' (NV) USAA National Championship - 4th.
- 97' (VA) Competed at AAA National Championship.
- 97' (India) Competed at WAF World Championships.
- 97' (Russia) Golden Bear International Championship - 5th.
- 97’ (ID) AAA Main Event International Championship - 3rd.
- 98' (CA) World Wristwrestling Finalist.
- 98’ (NV) USAA National Championship– 3rd/3rd.
- 99’ (NV) USAA National Championship – 4th/4th.
- 99' (CA) World Wristwrestling Finalist.
- 00' (CA) World Wristwrestling Champion.
- 00’ (NV) USAA National Championship – 3rd.
- 01' (CA) World Wristwrestling - 3rd.
- 01' (NV) USAA National Championship - 3rd.
- 02’ (CA) World Wrsitwrestling Finalist.
- 03' (NV) USAA National Championship - 4th.
Supermatch/Megamatch/Round Robin:
- 08' (CO) Colorado State Supermatch Champion.
Records/Rankings/Awards
- Ranked #1 in NM (220#, 242#, 243+#)
- NM #1 Overall Champion (2007, 2008, 2009)
- Ranked top 10 in the US. (WAF)
- Ranked top 10 in North America. (WAF)
- 2007 New Mexico First Round Draft Pick.
- New Mexico All-time Team (2010, 2020)
More about Chris
Chris Futhey passed away on December 19, 2009 from a heart attack suffered during an armwrestling practice in Albuquerque on the same floor where he won many titles and trained Team NM as the Team Captain. Chris was 50 years old and was planning on pulling at the USAF Nationals in the Grand Masters class where we were all confident that he would qualify and represent the US at the WAF World's in NV. Chris was one of the best pullers in California before moving to New Mexico and was a dominant force in the state and region. He spent a lot of time training the pullers and raising everyone's level to his own which was one of the main reasons for the success of New Mexico Armwrestling. He was a brilliant technician and a great teacher and extremely well liked and respected by pullers all over the country. You could hear his laugh across the room and a lot of people would come to practice just to train with him. He had catchers mitts for hands with the texture of 800 grit sandpaper that he used to rip apart phone books and rep out #3 Captain of Crush grippers. He was more than a friend to all of us.....he was family......and we are all going to miss him and his laid back, fun-loving personality a lot. He is survived by his wife Heather and his daughters Stephanie and Lauren, who live in California. He died doing what he loved to do and what he was the best at doing in the company of his friends who cared about him and respected him more than he will ever know. Rest In Peace Chris Futhey, "The Master of the Futhey Flop"
2012 Philip Baca
About Phil
- Started: 1985.
- Location: Belen, NM.
- Supermatch Song: Hank Williams Jr. - Country boys can survive.
- States: (5) NM, CO, AZ, NV, ID.
Titles
State/Regional:
- Winner of many tournaments in NM during his 15+ year career.
- (NM) Multi-time Valencia County Champion.
- (NM) 14-time WPAA NM State Champion (record).
- (NM) 1993 AAA Yukon Jack Regional Finalist.
National/International:
- (NV) 1995 WPAA National Champion. (1st)
- (ID) 1995 AAA National Championship - 5th.
- (NV) 1996 USAA National Finalist (2nd/3rd).
- (NV) 1997 USAA National Finalist. (2nd)
Records/Rankings/Awards
- NM All-time Team (1990, 2000, 2010).
- 2008 NM Comeback AW of the Year.
- Ranked #1 NM WPAA (169#)
- Ranked #1 NM WAF (154#, 165#, 176#).
- Multi-time NM Armwrestler of the Year.
- Ranked in the top 10 in the US. (WPAA).
- #1 Ranked NM Lightweight for 14 years. (Record).
- 14-time NM State Champion (Record).
2013 ED Baca
About Ed
- Started: 1985.
- Location: Belen, NM.
- States: (5) NM, CO, NV, ID, TX.
- Supermatch Song: Hank Williams Jr. - Country boys can survive.
- Check out Ed competing at the 1993 Yukon Jack Regionals in Albuquerque, NM........
Titles
State/Regional:
- Winner of many tournaments in NM during his 15+ year career.
- (NM) Multi-time Valencia County Champion.
- (NM) 12-time WPAA NM State Champion. (3rd All-time).
- (NM) 1993 Yukon Jack Regional Finalist.
- (NM) 1998 AAA Southern New Mexico Regional Champion.
- (CO) 2009 MHA Colorado State Finalist.
National/International:
- WPAA National Champion.
- (ID) 1995 AAA National Championship - (3rd)
- (NV) 1996 USAA National Championship Finalist. (2nd)
Records/Rankings/Awards
- Ranked in the top 10 in the US. (WPAA/WAF)
- NM All-time Team (1990, 2000, 2010, ).
- Ranked #1 NM WPAA (145#)
- Ranked #1 NM WAF (132#, 143#, 154#).
- #1 Ranked NM Featherweight for 12 years. (Record).
- Multi-time NM Armwrestler of the Year.
- 2009 NM Comeback Armwrestler of the Year.
2014 Donna Corley
About Donna
- Started: 1992.
- Location: Albuquerque, NM.
- States: (2) NM,CA.
- Check out Donna competing at the 1993 Yukon Jack Regionals in Albuquerque, NM.......
Titles
State/Regional:
- 1992 WPAA NM State Finalist.
- 1993 WPAA NM State Finalist.
- 1993 AAA Yukon Jack Regional Champion.
- 1994 AAA Yukon Jack Regional Champion.
- 1994 WPAA NM State Champion.
- 1995 WPAA NM State Champion.
- 2018 MHA/WTA New Mexico Games Finalist.
National/International:
- 1993 Competed at the Yukon International Championship (CA).
- 1994 Competed at the Yukon International Championship (CA).
Records/Rankings/Awards
- Winner of many tournaments in New Mexico in her 7 year career.
- The Most Dominant Woman in New Mexico Armwrestling history.
- Undefeated NM 6 years (record) 92', 93', 94', 95', 96', 97'.
- NM #1 Overall Champion 6 years (2nd All-time) 92', 93', 94', 95', 96', 97'.
- Ranked #1 NM WPAA (Women's Open) 92', 93', 94', 95', 96', 97'.
- Ranked #1 NM WAF (Women's Open) 92', 93', 94', 95', 96', 97'.
- NM All-time Team (1990, 2000, 2010,).
- 2018 NM Comeback Armwrestler of the Year.
More about Donna
"Before Armwrestling I played basketball for Eastern NM University on full scholarship, and before that I was a sprinter for Duke City Dashers and Albuquerque Track Club, AAU where I set many records and was on a relay team where we set a worlds record for the 440 relay in California Coliseum in 1969. A serious injury stopped that career at the age of 14. I took a chance at b-ball after being told I could no longer play sports. I got that degree and never looked back. I competed with Cheryl Miller, the MaGhee twins, and Ann Donovan....great talent. I held my own, which only showed me I could compete with the best. I started Armwrestling in 1992. At the time I was working as a importer/exporter for a computer software company. My first tournament I lost in the WPAA NM State finals. My opponent beat me again the following year in the finals. After that I was trained by Mike Apodaca and the New Mexico team and learned the proper technique and never lost again in New Mexico. My most memorable match was my 3rd year pulling against the same opponent where I beat her to win the state title. I ran 2-3 miles and lifted weights every day to train. My favorite technique was over the top. After competing, I worked at Green Valley Ranch Casino in Henderson, NV. for 8 years. I am now retired and enjoy puzzles and gardening in my free time. I have great memories of my time in the sport of Armwrestling and would like to give special thanks to Mike Apodaca and Willie Garley."
2015 Peggy Walton
About Peggy
- Started: 199?.
- Location: Albuquerque, NM.
- States: NM.
Titles
State/Regional:
- Winner of many tournaments in her 10 + year career.
- Multi-time WPAA New Mexico State Champion.
- Multi-time Valencia County Champion.
- 2006 NMA Sneakerz Challenge Champion.
- 2007 NMA New Mexico State Champion.
Records/Rankings/Awards
- Multi-time New Mexico #1 Overall Champion.
- Ranked #1 NM WPAA - 143#, 144+#.
- Ranked #1 NM WAF - 143#, 144+#.
- NM All-time Team (2000, 2010,).
2016 Tim Chavez
About Tim
- Started: 1984.
- Location: Belen, NM.
- States: (4) NM, AZ, MO, CO.
Titles
State/Regional:
- Winner of many tournaments in NM during his 20+ year career.
- (NM) 12-time WPAA New Mexico State Finalist.
- (NM) 6-time WPAA New Mexico State Champion.
- (NM) AAA Yukon Jack Regional Championship - 3rd.
- (NM) 2007 NMA New Mexico State Championship - 3rd.
- (NM) 2007 NMA New Mexico Games Champion.
- (CO) 2007 MHA Mountain State Regional Finalist.
- (AZ) 2007 USAA Southwest Regional Championship - 3rd.
- (NM) 2008 Fuddruckers Pro/Am Championship - 3rd.
- (NM) 2009 USAA/NMA New Mexico State Finalist.
- (NM) 2009 NMA New Mexico Games - 3rd.
- (NM) 2010 NMA Fat Sats Champion.
National:
- (AZ) 2005 AUSA National Champion.
- (MO) 2007 USAF National Championship - 5th.
Supermatches/Megamatches/Round Robin:
- (NM) 2011 New Mexico State Megamatch Finalist.
- (NM) 2016 New Mexico Games Supermatch Champion.
Records/Rankings/Awards
- NM All-time Team (1990, 2000, 2010,).
- Ranked #1 NM WPAA (145#).
- Ranked #1 NM WAF (143#, 154#).
- #1 Ranked NM Featherweight for 10 years. (2nd All-Time).
- 2005 NM Armwrestler of the Year.
2017 Bryan Dyche
About Bryan
- Started: 1990.
- City/State: Albuquerque, New Mexico.
- States: (2) NM, AZ.
Titles
State/Regional:
- Winner of many tournaments in NM during his 17 year career.
- (NM) 1993 WPAA NM State Finalist.
- (NM) 1994 WPAA NM State Champion.
- (NM) 1995 WPAA NM State Champion.
- (NM) 1996 WPAA NM State Champion.
- (NM) 1997 WPAA NM State Finalist.
- (NM) 1997 Corner Pocket Champion.
- (NM) 1998 Sneakerz Battle of the Arms Champion.
- (NM) 2000 WPAA NM State Champion.
- (NM) 2001 WPAA NM State Champion.
- (NM) 2003 WPAA NM State Champion.
- (NM) 2004 WPAA NM State Champion.
- (NM) 2006 NMA Sneakerz Challenge Right Overall Champion.
- (NM) 2007 NMA NM State Finalist.
- (NM) 2007 NMA NM Games – 3rd.
- (NM) 2008 NMA NM State – 3rd.
- (NM) 2008 WPAA NM State Champion.
- (NM) 2009 WPAA NM State Champion.
National/International:
- (AZ) 2004 AUSA National Finalist.
Records/Rankings/Awards
- 9-time NM State Champion. (5th All-time)
- 3-time Valencia County Champion.
- Ranked #1 NM WPAA 220+#. – 9 years. (2nd All-time)
- Ranked #1 NM WAF 243+#.
- Ranked #1 NM Overall Champion – 6 years (2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006). 3rd All-time.
- NM All-Time Team - 2000, 2010.
2019 Thomas Chavez
About Tom
- Started: 1996.
- City/State: Belen, New Mexico.
- States: (4) NM, CO, AZ, NV.
- Check out Tom's HOF speech and HOF announcement......
- https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=2081485928617479&set=pcb.3347126848634565&type=3&theater&ifg=1
- https://www.facebook.com/steve.hernandez.7587/videos/pcb.2076353745797364/10205758013065177/?type=3&theater
- https://www.facebook.com/rebecca.chavez.758/videos/2399930006734285/
Titles
State/Regional:
- Winner of many tournaments in NM during his 15+ year career.
- (NM) 1996 New Mexico State Champion (155#)
- (NM)1997 Valencia County Champion. (145#/165#)
- (NM)1997 Misty’s Bar & Grill Champion. (145#/165#)
- (NM)1997 T & M Corner Pocket I Champion.
- (NM)1997 T & M Corner Pocket II Champion.
- (NM)1998 Battle of the Arms Sneakerz Champion.
- (NM) 1998 WPAA New Mexico State Champion. (145#)
- (NM)1999 WPAA New Mexico State Champion. (145#)
- (NM) 2000 T & M Arm Blasters Champion. (147#/168#/200#)
- (NM)2001 WPAA New Mexico State Champion. (169#)
- (NM) 2006 NMA Sneakerz Champion. (176#)
- (CO) 2006 MHA Colorado State - 3rd. (154#)
- (CO) 2007 MHA Mountain State Regionals - 3rd. (154#)
- (NM)2007 NMA New Mexico Games - 3rd. (154#)
- (NM) 2008 NMA Fuddrucker's Pro/Am Finalist. (165#)
- (NM) 2008 NMA Rio Abajo Days Finalist. (176#)
- (NM) 2008 NMA New Mexico Games - 3rd. (176#)
- (NM) 2008 NMA New Mexico State - Finalist. (165#)
- (CO) 2009 USAA Sturgis Bound Rally Finalist. (154#)
- (NM) 2009 NMA Rio Abajo Days Finalist. (176#)
- (NM) 2009 USAA/NMA New Mexico State Finalist. (154#)
- (NM)2010 NMA New Mexico Games Champion. (176#)
- (NM) 2010 NMA Rio Abajo Days Champion. (176#)
- (NM)2010 NMA Southwest Regionals - 3rd. (176#)
National/International:
- (NV) 1997 USAA National Championship - 4th. (132#)
- (NV) 1998 WPAA National Champion. (145#)
Records/Rankings/Awards
- 11-time WPAA/NMA New Mexico State Finalist.
- 5-time WPAA New Mexico State Champion.
- 6-time Valencia County Champion.
- New Mexico All-time Team: 2000, 2010.
- Ranked #1 WPAA - 145#.
- Ranked #1 WAF - 132#, 154#, 176#.
- Ranked in the top 10 in the US. (WPAA).
.
.