Finance
Indian armwrestlers secured four gold, two silver, and 14 bronze medals during the initial two days of finals at the 47th World Armwrestling and 28th World Para Armwrestling Championships 2026, finishing fourth in the overall medal rankings, trailing behind Russia, Kazakhstan, and Türkiye.
The championships are occurring in India for the first time, featuring over 1,700 athletes from more than 60 nations competing in the event.
The ceremony was launched on Thursday with Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs and Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju, as well as Hamirpur MP and former Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Anurag Singh Thakur in attendance. The People’s Armwrestling Federation of India (PAFI) organizes the championship on behalf of the World Armwrestling Federation (WAF).
WAF president Assen Hadjitodorov, general secretary Mircea Simionescu-Simicel, Asian Armwrestling Federation president Jeenbek Mukambetov, and Armwrestling Australia president Phil Rasmussen were present at the inauguration as well.
On October 29, India’s Masters team spearheaded the medal effort, securing four gold, one silver, and seven bronze medals. Jincymol Sebastian shone as the top contender, securing gold in each arm in the Grand Master Women’s 80kg division.
Yogesh Choudhary clinched gold in the Master Women’s +80kg right-arm division and bronze in the left-arm event, whereas Shoukath VT took gold in the Master Men’s -60kg right-arm class and bronze in the left arm.
Minimol Jose won silver and Preetha C secured bronze in the Grand Master Women’s +80kg right-arm category. Priya Payyan Kunhiveettil and Mini K secured two bronze medals each in their individual categories.
The younger participants earned eight medals in the left-arm finals on October 30. Jimmison Marwein earned silver in the Youth Men’s 65kg division, and Aabhas Rana (Junior Boys +90kg), Laithansanga (Youth Men -55kg), Ajay Kumar (Youth Men 60kg), and Vishnupriya P (Youth Women 80kg) achieved bronze.
Sub-Junior wrestlers Aryan Singh (-45kg), Yumnam Chingkhei Singh (50kg), and Shane Salish (70kg) each secured bronze medals.
Aside from the podium results, 128 Indian athletes achieved 154 placements in 90 of the 101 finals held, with 17 participants securing fourth place. Naveen Paul in the Master Men’s 110kg category and Mihsngewbha Rymbai in the Grand Master Women’s 80kg division secured fourth place in both arms.
The findings emphasize India’s increasing role in global armwrestling, showcasing medals in five age categories, from sub-juniors to grand masters.
The tournament also offers an opportunity for athletes aiming for the professional circuit. Yogesh Choudhary and Aabhas Rana are set to clash at the Pro Panja League’s Gold Edition II in Pune on November 28. Coordinated by Pro Panja League in collaboration with the Poonawalla Group, the competition is anticipated to showcase top Indian and global armwrestlers.
The finals for right-arm Sub-Junior, Junior, and Youth in boys’, girls’, men’s, and women’s divisions are set for October 31, with live streaming on Swen, the official partner of the championship.
Source: IANS
