Armed for success

SANDPOINT - It says much about Todd Miller that he calls the most horrifying incident in his life almost worth it.

In May 2005 Miller's legs were crushed beneath a 20-ton chunk of granite that rolled onto the excavator he was operating, leaving him conscious and wondering if he'd live, let alone walk again, while a host of emergency workers and medical crews worked for hours to remove the massive piece of stone.

Fast forward to October 2008, as Miller, a 31 year-old born and raised in the Sandpoint area, proudly stands in front of scores of trophies, one of which honors his recent accomplishment of being named a 2008 United States Armwrestling Federation team member.

One need only watch Miller playing with his two beautiful young daughters to understand just what he means when reflecting on his life.

“It was worth it, almost,” says Miller, readily admitting he's gained a much different outlook on life after the accident. “Everything you learn about what's important to you.”

Miller's left leg, covered with lengthy scars from numerous reconstructive surgeries, bends out at a slight angle below the knee.

Nearly every bone in both legs were crushed below mid thigh in the accident, and it took more than a year before he could walk again.

The mere fact he's walking now - let alone scooping down to pick up his daughters Sydnie, 5, and Taylor, 3 - is remarkable. The fact that he has become one of the top armwrestlers in the Unites States is downright amazing.

See CHAMPION, Page 3

“My doctors look at me and say 'I can't even believe you're walking,'” he proudly explains.

Whatever strength his legs might lack these days, his ripped arms and shoulders more than make up for it. He's been winning a lot of armwrestling titles recently, and will compete as one of 45 members of Team USA at the 2008 World Armwrestling Championships in Kelona, British Columbia, later this month in Canada.

Miller became hooked on armwrestling several years before the accident, when his twin brother Travis hammered down one of the top armwrestlers in Colorado. In the last couple of years, he's been able to train and focus more on his favorite sport, as shown by the tall and shiny trophies scattered about his house.

“It's kind of a competition with yourself,” says Miller of what he loves most about the sport, along with the camaraderie. “One year you might not be able to beat somebody, then you train, beat them, and set your sights on somebody else.”

He trains on a Chuck Norris Total Gym, using his muscular forearms to pull himself up a sliding ramp. He also lifts a weight off the ground by twisting a rod in his hands, the rope wrapping upward in small increments as the forearms burn. Strong in both arms, he competes mostly as a left hander in competitions.

Slowly but surely, he has crept up into the upper echelon of the sport, attending meets in Denver, New Mexico, Washington, Montana, California and most recently at the U.S. National Championships in Salt Lake City, Utah, where he finished second and secured a berth on the U.S. team for the World Championships.

More than 45 countries will be represented at the World Championships. Miller says Russia treats its armwrestlers like America treats its football players, paying for them to train and sponsoring them in competition. He will be competing against more than 50 strongmen in his 154-165 pound weight class, admitting he'll need to cut weight leading up to the championships.

Miller is hoping for a top five finish in Canada, trying to keep his goals realistic. He has won two Washington state titles among his most impressive wins, and was undefeated at his last two meets. He says much of the sport is technique, equating it in a way to a chess match.

“There are moves that will beat other moves,” he explains, noting most matches end quickly and 30 seconds is considered long. “Hand strength is the key. If you can control someone's hand, you can control their arm.”

His right forearm bears a tattoo of the Superman insignia with two cross-bones sticking out of it. He swore he would never get a tattoo, but everyone kept telling him he must be Superman, so he added the bones paying homage to his once-broken legs.

Miller is hoping to raise much of the $2,500 necessary to compete in the week-long World Championships through donations. Kelly's Vay Mart-N-Hoo Doo Creek Cafe on Dufort Road is hosting a fundraising spaghetti feed and raffle on Monday, Nov. 3, at 6 p.m. Miller plans to have his personal armwrestling table, complete with padding and handholds, set up as part of the evening.

An account at Panhandle State Bank has been set up in Miller's name for anyone wishing to help with travel expenses.