Historic Arm Wrestling Championship in India Delivers 20 Medals
New Delhi, October 31: India's arm wrestlers have delivered a strong start at the 47th World Arm Wrestling Championship and 28th World Para Arm Wrestling Championship 2026, winning 20 medals in the first two days of the finals. The medal count includes four gold, two silver and 14 bronze, placing India fourth in the overall standings behind Russia, Kazakhstan and Turkey.
The tournament marks the first time India has hosted the championship. More than 1,700 athletes from over 60 countries are competing. Kiren Rijiju, Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs and Minority Affairs, and Anurag Thakur, MP from Hamirpur and former Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports, were present at the inaugural event on Thursday. The championship is organised by the People's Arm Wrestling Federation of India (PAFI) under the World Arm Wrestling Federation (WAF).
At the opening ceremony, WAF President Essen Hajitodorov, Secretary General Mirsia Simioneseku-Simisel, Asian Armwrestling Federation President Zhanbek Mukambetov and Armwrestling Australia President Phil Rasmussen were also in attendance.
The Indian masters team won four gold, one silver and seven bronze medals on October 29. Jinsimol Sebastian won gold with both hands in the Grand Master Women 80kg category.
In the Masters Women Plus 80kg category, Yogesh Chaudhary won gold with his right hand and bronze with his left. Shaukat VT claimed gold with his right hand and bronze with his left in the Masters Men 60kg category. In the right-hand Grand Master Women Plus 80kg event, Minimol Jose won silver and Pretha C took bronze. Priya Payyan Kunhivittil and Mini K each won two bronze medals.
On October 30, the left-arm finals showcased India's young talent, with eight medals won by youth athletes. Jimison Marven took silver in the Youth Men 65kg category. Abhas Rana (Junior Boys Plus 90kg), Laithanga (Youth Men 55kg), Ajay Kumar (Youth Men 60kg) and Vishnupriya P (Youth Women 80kg) won bronze. Aryan Singh (-45kg), Yumnam Chingkhei Singh (50kg) and Shane Salish (70kg) also earned bronze in the sub-junior category.
The overall Indian performance went beyond the medal tally. 128 Indian athletes advanced to 90 of the 101 finals and recorded 154 finishes. Seventeen athletes came fourth. Naveen Paul in the Masters Men 110kg category and Mihsangevbha Rimbai in the Grand Master Women 80kg category both finished fourth in the left-arm and right-arm finals.
India's medal winners span five age groups, from sub-junior to grand master, reflecting the sport's growing reach in the country. The championship is also a stage for athletes who aim to compete on the professional circuit.
Yogesh Chaudhary and Abhas Rana will feature in the Gold Edition 2 of the Pro Panja League on November 28 in Pune. The tournament is organised by Pro Panja League and Poonawalla Group, and a strong lineup of Indian and international arm wrestlers is expected.