India Clinches 20 Medals at World Armwrestling Championships in New Delhi

India Clinches 20 Medals at World Armwrestling Championships in New Delhi

Indian armwrestlers have won 20 medals, including four gold, two silver and 14 bronze, during the first two days of finals at the 47th World Armwrestling and 28th World Para Armwrestling Championships 2026 in New Delhi.

India finished fourth in the overall medal standings, behind Russia, Kazakhstan and Türkiye, at the championships being hosted in the country for the first time.

The event has brought together more than 1,700 athletes from over 60 countries. It is being organised by the People’s Armwrestling Federation of India (PAFI) under the aegis of the World Armwrestling Federation (WAF).

India’s Masters contingent led the medal tally on October 29, securing four gold, one silver and seven bronze medals.

Jincymol Sebastian emerged as the standout performer, winning gold medals in both arms in the Grand Master Women’s 80kg category.

Yogesh Choudhary clinched gold in the Master Women’s +80kg right-arm event and bronze in the left-arm category. Shoukath VT also secured gold in the Master Men’s -60kg right-arm event and bronze in the left-arm competition.

Minimol Jose won silver, while Preetha C secured bronze in the Grand Master Women’s +80kg right-arm event. Priya Payyan Kunhiveettil and Mini K added two bronze medals each in their respective categories.

The younger Indian competitors added eight medals during the left-arm finals on October 30. Jimmison Marwein secured silver in the Youth Men’s 65kg category, while Aabhas Rana, Laithansanga, Ajay Kumar and Vishnupriya P won bronze medals in their respective divisions.

In the Sub-Junior categories, Aryan Singh, Yumnam Chingkhei Singh and Shane Salish also secured bronze medals.

Beyond the medal tally, 128 Indian athletes recorded 154 placings across 90 of the 101 finals contested, with 17 competitors finishing fourth.

The championship has witnessed Indian participation across five age divisions, from Sub-Junior to Grand Master categories, reflecting the country’s presence across different levels of the sport.

The competition also offers a platform for athletes aspiring to enter the professional armwrestling circuit. Yogesh Choudhary and Aabhas Rana are scheduled to compete in the Pro Panja League’s Gold Edition II in Pune on November 28.

The tournament, organised by the Pro Panja League in partnership with the Poonawalla Group, is expected to feature leading Indian and international armwrestlers.

The right-arm Sub-Junior, Junior and Youth finals across boys’, girls’, men’s and women’s categories are scheduled for October 31. The championship is being streamed live on Swen, its official streaming partner.