This 2023 disc golf season’s competitive fire has sparked some exciting changes and future challenges. As the disc golf world changes and big arms begin to be commonplace, the next generation is looking to make a name for themselves.
The man everyone thinks of as the new up-and-coming big arm is undoubtedly Discraft’s newest signed player, Anthony Barela. Barela, still in college, is one of the furthest throwers in disc golf and he’s just getting started with a big career ahead of him. This stratum has come with a new media presence that is helping young stars get on the map. Barela was interviewed on a Youtube channel to get to know the young star and how he feels about the upcoming season. This interview had one last question asking who of today’s pro tour players has an arm that competes with his cannon. Barela mentions a couple of names like Drew Gibson, Eagle McMahon, and Double G but leaves one name off the list that many disc golf fans were shocked to not hear on a list like this. That arm is that of Simon Lizotte, formerly of Discmania and now of MVP Discs.
Simon Lizotte is one of, if not the most known power throwers in disc golf history. He and Eagle McMahon were nicknamed the ‘Crush Boys’ because of their insane lines that normally involved throwing over every obstacle and crushing low-speed discs further than other players threw drivers. Lizotte is now with MVP discs as of the 2022 off-season, but the rumors are that the way their discs are made with an outer ring of plastic creates a distance advantage which may improve his already astronomical shots. But why was Simon Lizotte left off Anthony Barela’s list? Was it because Lizotte got injured a couple of years back and Barela doesn’t think he has what it takes to be a top thrower anymore? It may be that Barela is trying to knock the thirty-year-old out of the ‘Crush Club’ and catch some views for himself by creating a small rivalry between them. This will all be resolved very soon as the 2023 season kicks off in February. There may not be a distance competition, but if they happen to be on the same card, interest levels will certainly grow with a potential rivalry at play. Will the young gun knock out the vet or will the vet’s experience keep him on top?
