An armwrestler with 19 inch (49cm) forearms has earned himself the nickname Popeye from fans as he travels America competing to become the world champion.

Jeff Dabe's monster forearms measure 19 inches (49cm) in circumference, with the strongman's hands big enough to fit a basketball in each hand.

Tests have been conducted to discover what makes Jeff's arms so large, as family photographs show he was born with over-sized limbs.

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Popeye: Jeff Dabe's monster forearms measure 19 inches (49cm) in circumference, earning him the nickname Popeye

Competitive edge: The arm wrestler, from Stacy, Minnesota, has been competing in arm wrestling tournaments since the 1980s, with his giant paws giving him a natural advantage

Tests have been conducted to discover what makes Jeff's arms so large, as family photographs show he was born with over-sized limbs

Having looked for signs of gigantism and elephantiasis, the University of Minnesota concluded that there were no signs of the disease or abnormalities. Jeff's wife, Gina, said he was simply born that way

Having looked for signs of gigantism and elephantiasis, the University of Minnesota concluded that there were no signs of the disease or abnormalities

Jeff's wife, Gina, said he was simply born that way.

The arm wrestler from Stacy, Minnesota, has been competing in arm wrestling tournaments since the 1980s, with his giant paws giving him a natural advantage.

He said: 'I arm wrestled as a senior in high school.

'The fans way back then were the ones that named me Popeye.'

Having made a promising start in the sport, Jeff, 52, popped his right arm during a contest in 1986, causing him to stop competing.

Massive: Jeff Dabe's monster forearms measure 19 inches (49cm) in circumference and he is capable of holding a basketball in each hand

Spot the difference: Jeff was given the nickname Popeye after the spinach-eating sailor, pictured, with big muscles

Setback: Having made a promising start in the sport, Jeff, 52, popped his right arm during a contest in 1986, causing him to stop competing

High hopes: Jeff is now training and hopes to become the champion in the World Armwrestling League

Starting again: It wasn't until 2012, when Minnesota armwrestling champ Josh Handelland came to town, that Jeff decided to start competing seriously again - this time using his left arm

Shocking size: Jeff says that people 'freak out' when they see the size of his hands

It wasn't until 2012, when Minnesota armwrestling champ Josh Handelland came to town, that Jeff decided to start competing seriously again - this time using his left arm.

He would then go on to become the State Champion himself, which would see him invited to compete on the World Armwrestling League (WAL) circuit.

Jeff said: 'Thanks to the World Armwrestling League I am now competing with people from all over America.

'It's so fun to travel to places we wouldn't normally go.

'I was always good at arm wrestling, but the size of my hands did shock people at first - I had the strength to back it up.

'People freak out when they see my hands in real life.'

Sporting past: Initially, Jeff did not focus purely on armwrestling-based training

Farm hand: Jeff would build up strength carrying out farm chores such as chopping wood, shovelling and working with heavy equipment

Focus: Recently Jeff has begun taking arm wrestling more seriously, welding his own practice table and hitting the weights

New hobby: The WAL sees Jeff and Gina, 53, travel across the country to compete in tournaments

The WAL sees Jeff and Gina, 53, travel across the country to compete in tournaments in the likes of Las Vegas.

Initially, Jeff did not focus purely on arm wrestling-based training - he would build up strength carrying out farm chores: chopping wood, shovelling and working with heavy equipment.

Recently, though, Jeff has begun taking arm wrestling more seriously, welding his own practice table and hitting the weights.

Gina said: 'I always encourage Jeff no matter what he does - and it's so fun.

'Everyone thinks Jeff is really funny and we do lots of goofy things together.

'This is just the next phase.

'I love the tournaments, and he gets me on aeroplanes to nice hotels and beautiful places.

'We are so proud of him.'

Fans favorite: The crowd love to see Jeff armwrestle and his family are extremely proud of him

Digits: Jeff's mobile phone looks tiny when he is holding it showing the true scale of his huge hands

Inspiration: Loving wife Gina says she likes to encourage Jeff in whatever he does