07.25.2004:School tries to lower violence by launching arm wrestling league

A Swedish school is encouraging pupils to arm wrestle in a bid to cut fighting in the corridors.

Transtenskolan school in Hallsberg has set up a pair of arm wrestling tables in the cafeteria, along with a list ranking the top student wrestlers.

"The idea originally came from the students themselves last fall," John Rittenberg, principal of the 500-student school.

"I believe there will be less aggression," he said.

Sweden's three-time female arm wrestling champion Heidi Andersson has visited the school to tell students and teachers about the sport. Afterwards, she took on a few of the kids and the teachers, too.

"She was as strong as a bull," Rittenberg said.

Heidi Andersson tränar här med junioren Johan Karlsson i den gamla

skogshuggarbaracken som tjänstgör som träningslokal.

© Associated Press