Ermes Gasparini, nicknamed “The Gladiator” or “Il Gladiatore,” is an Italian professional armwrestler and one of the leading right-arm super heavyweight competitors of his generation. Born in 1993 in Verona, Italy, Gasparini grew up in a family closely connected to armwrestling. His father, Massimo Gasparini, was also an established armwrestler and introduced him to the sport at a young age.
Gasparini achieved international success early in his career. In 2013, he won the WAF Junior 21 World Championship in the 85 kg category with both the right and left arms. The following year, he again won the right-arm Junior 21 world title and earned silver with the left arm. He also finished second in the prestigious Zloty Tur/Nemiroff World Cup 86 kg right-arm division in 2014.
In 2015, Gasparini became a senior WAF World Champion in the 90 kg right-arm category after the original winner was disqualified following a doping sanction. In 2016, he continued his rise by winning the 95 kg right-arm division at the Zloty Tur World Cup, establishing himself as one of the strongest pound-for-pound European pullers of the period.
After dealing with significant problems involving his right forearm and undergoing surgery, Gasparini spent an extended period away from elite competition. He later returned and gradually moved up through the heavyweight classes into the Super Heavyweight division.
His professional career accelerated from 2021 onward. Gasparini defeated Matt Mask at the inaugural East vs West event and later defeated Genadi Kvikvinia at King of the Table 2. In 2022, he recorded victories over Arif Ertem, Wagner Bortolato and Dave Chaffee. His victory over Chaffee helped establish him as one of the leading right-arm Super Heavyweights in the world.
In July 2023, Gasparini defeated Jerry Cadorette 3–0 at East vs West 8 to win the Right-Arm Super Heavyweight World Championship. He later lost that title to Devon Larratt at East vs West 9. Several months later, he defeated Vitaly Laletin 4–2 at King of the Table 9, one of the most significant victories of his professional career.
Gasparini has also twice challenged Levan Saginashvili at the highest level. Their first match at King of the Table 6 in 2023 ended 4–2 in Saginashvili's favor, with Gasparini becoming the first opponent in Levan's modern professional run to be credited with rounds against him. In 2025, Gasparini again challenged Saginashvili for the Right-Arm Super Heavyweight World Championship at East vs West 18 but was defeated.
Technically, Gasparini is best known as an explosive top-roll specialist. His strengths include exceptional back pressure, rising strength, pronation and hand control. He is also capable of transitioning into a press or inside position when required. Despite competing against athletes who are often considerably heavier, his combination of leverage, speed and technical precision has allowed him to remain among the elite of the Super Heavyweight division.
As of 2026, Gasparini remains an active Super Heavyweight competitor and one of the most internationally successful Italian armwrestlers in the history of the sport.
Italy