Tyson Bagent, the quarterback for the Bears, is not the only member of his family with an impressive arm. He is the son of Travis Bagent, widely recognized as one of the greatest arm wrestlers in history. Known by the moniker “The Beast,” Travis has secured numerous world championships throughout his extensive arm wrestling career, which has spanned over two decades.
Travis Bagent, now 47 years old, entered the world of competitive arm wrestling in the late 1990s, and he continues to participate in tournaments to this day. This passion has evolved into a career, complementing his income from running a CrossFit gym.
A pivotal influence in Travis’s journey was his father, Rusty Bagent, who introduced him to the art of arm wrestling. Rusty, a former Marine, took up the sport during his military service in the 1960s and 1970s. Later, he established two arm wrestling clubs in West Virginia, “The Big Arm” in Shepherdstown and “Billy Jack’s” in Charles Town, which became hubs for arm wrestling competitions.
Travis attests that his time at his father’s clubs played a crucial role in his development as a champion-level arm wrestler. He emphasized the unique advantage of having access to multiple tables and competing against hundreds of opponents each weekend. This environment fueled his determination to excel, even against opponents with superior strength.
As Travis continued to compete, his reputation in the arm wrestling community grew. His formidable physique, standing at 6-3 and weighing 265 pounds, earned him the fitting nickname “The Beast,” a title that was conferred upon him in Poland in 2004.
Travis’s prowess in arm wrestling transformed what was once a hobby into a lucrative profession. In 2016, he disclosed that he was earning between $500,000 to $1 million from tournaments, expos, and refereeing, a substantial leap from the previous annual income of $25,000.
Throughout his career, Travis engaged in fierce rivalries with other top arm wrestlers, including notable matchups against Devon Larratt, John Brzenk, and Dave Chaffee. These encounters often determined the title of the world’s premier arm wrestler.
Travis’s arm-wrestling prowess has not waned with time, and he remains a formidable force in the sport. During the Senior Bowl in February, he even set up an impromptu arm-wrestling challenge on the sideline, inviting NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero to face him. The entertaining showdown showcased Travis’s undeniable skill and strength, solidifying his status as one of the greatest arm wrestlers of all time.
Born on March 10, 1976, Travis Bagent is currently 47 years old. With over two decades of professional arm wrestling experience, he stands as a testament to the enduring power of determination and skill in sports.