Charlottesville is unique for a few reasons. Obviously, it is the home of the University and Monticello. But there is another reason — one that may be unknown to most. The city is home to the original amateur female arm wrestling group.
The Charlottesville Lady Arm Wrestlers — dubbed CLAW for short — are a community of avid wrestling fans that hold women’s arm wrestling tournaments in Charlottesville. They raise funds for local charities, combining sport, performance and community service.
As a result, they offer unique programming — which is defined by a healthy dose of theatrical whimsy and fun — that has inspired others nationwide. The entire operation is designed to use arm wrestling as a vehicle for promoting women’s sports.
CLAW was established at the Blue Moon Diner in 2007 by Charlottesville locals Jen Tidwell, Sian Richards, Jodi Plaisance, Laure Galgano and Dolly Joseph. Since 2007, CLAW has raised over $100,000 for women-initiated organizations.
At a given competition, CLAW wrestlers compete in an eight-person bracket of one-on-one arm wrestling — ending with a final battle royale. Patrons can even bet on the competition, through the purchase of “claw-bucks” at a rate of one claw-buck per dollar. Before a given round, patrons can vote for who they predict will win, vis-a-vis claw-bucks. Patrons can also spend claw-bucks on food, merchandise or donations — all of which support the beneficiaries.
Like some whimsical WWE event, wrestlers inhabit personas such as “Chief Justice Clawberts,” “Viktor Lickter” and “Veclawciraptor.” The latter, of course, donned a dinosaur costume.
“I think [Veclawciraptor] might be my recent favorite,” CLAW member Sally Williamson said. “There’s a lot of bad puns — or, excellent puns.”
That hint of comedy adds another interesting flavor to the group. CLAW is not just about arm wrestling, but about embracing self-identity within sports. There is no standardized garb, jersey number or other uniform requirement. Instead, participants embrace their own arm wrestling — or “wrassling,” as CLAW calls it — character to the fullest.
“It is very performative-sport,” Williamson said. “Both [parts] are extremely important.”
Even so, the most important component transcends the actual gameplay. CLAW raises money for local charities as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. In 2024, CLAW raised a combined $22,426 for the Sexual Assault Resource Agency and the New River Abortion Access Fund. Each wrestling event is centered around raising financial support for a good cause. Right now the organization is currently in the process of selecting its 2025 beneficiaries to receive raised funds — the application form closed Tuesday — and CLAW should be announcing its partners in the coming weeks. A planning team of five executive leaders is currently deliberating between a few options.
This year, CLAW is hosting its two events July 12 and Sept. 20 — both of which will be at Random Row Brewery on Preston Avenue, a 27-minute walk from Central Grounds. Williamson noted that more information on how to get involved can be found on the CLAW Instagram account.
A few University students are involved, such as second-year Engineering student Will Conrad, who works as a lighting technician. They worked on the tech team for CLAW’s event Oct. 5, 2024 — and instantly knew that the community was special.
“Not only are we supporting this one org — who, with all this money, is going to do a whole lot of good things for the community, you know, like paying it forward — but also it's putting on a good show for the people of Charlottesville,” Conrad said.
Anyone is welcome to volunteer and assist in the fundraising campaign for local charities, or even to attempt to become a CLAW wrassler. Planning board member Claire Chandler, who has been with the group since 2016, highlighted that community is both the mission and the audience.
“CLAW is you, so anyone and everyone is welcome to CLAW, and we love you, and we want you to get involved,” Chandler said.
That sentiment rings true, as, according to planning board member Caitlin McLeod, wrasslers come from various backgrounds. Whether someone has been arm wrestling for 15-plus years or is brand-new to the experience, there is a lot to enjoy.
“Last year this now 18-year-old young woman wrestled for the first time, with an entourage full of her friends dressed as murderous My Little Ponies,” McLeod said. “And she won Crowd Favorite. Her mother had tears in her eyes, and so did I, because we have managed to cultivate a second generation of amazing, creative, dedicated volunteers in this organization.”
McLeod has overseen significant growth for CLAW since she joined in 2011 — namely, leading the production of three national championships that also included newer expansion leagues. Currently, McLeod works at the University Department of Drama — where she met Conrad and recommended that they join CLAW’s technical team. From the University to the greater Charlottesville community, CLAW is open to all.
“There are limericks, there are entourages, there's bribery, there’s everything you could possibly want in an over-the-top event,” Williamson said.
And of course, hand-in-hand with its philanthropic core, CLAW is about fun. Its unique sporting environment lends itself towards a great time with lots of laughs — sometimes fueled by the aforementioned goofy attire.
“Come for the supporting community, and stay for the assless chaps,” Williamson said.
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