Union Minister Raksha Khadse visited the 2026 World Arm-wrestling and Para Arm-wrestling Championships in New Delhi, praising India’s hosting arrangements and encouraging athletes. India has secured 58 medals, including nine gold, at the international competition featuring participants from over 60 countries.
Union Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports Raksha Nikhil Khadse visited the venue of the 47th World Arm-wrestling and 28th World Para Arm-wrestling Championships 2026 in New Delhi on Tuesday, extending her best wishes to athletes representing more than 60 countries and appreciating India’s arrangements for hosting the prestigious international sporting event.
The championships, being organised at the Leela Ambience Convention Hotel from October 29 to November 6, have attracted more than 1,700 athletes, officials and supporters from across the world. India’s opportunity to host the global competition for the first time has been described by the minister as a significant achievement and an important platform for promoting arm-wrestling in the country.
During her visit, Khadse watched several matches and interacted with athletes and officials. She also encouraged Indian arm-wrestlers and para arm-wrestlers competing against international participants on home soil.
Speaking at the venue, the Union Minister said hosting the 47th World Arm-wrestling and 28th World Para Arm-wrestling Championships was a very big opportunity for India. She extended her best wishes to all participants and expressed her commitment to encouraging the sport across the country.
Khadse said collective efforts could help India achieve greater recognition in international arm-wrestling competitions while creating more opportunities for athletes. She also emphasised the importance of promoting the sport and supporting competitors representing the country at the global level.
India has already secured an impressive 58 medals at the championships, comprising nine gold, 19 silver and 30 bronze medals. The overall tally includes 26 medals in para categories, 20 medals across sub-junior, junior and youth divisions, and 12 medals in masters and grand masters categories.
The medal performance highlights India’s growing strength in both able-bodied and para arm-wrestling, with domestic athletes delivering encouraging results against competitors from several countries.
The championships are being hosted by the People’s Arm-wrestling Federation of India (PAFI), led by its president Preeti Jhangiani, who also serves as vice-president of the Asian Arm-wrestling Federation. The event is being organised with the involvement of Pro Panja League co-founder Parvinn Dabass under the affiliation and guidance of the World Arm-wrestling Federation (WAF). Swen is serving as the official streaming partner.
The international championships were formally inaugurated on October 29 by Union Minister for Parliamentary and Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju and Member of Parliament Anurag Singh Thakur.
India’s hosting of the competition reflects the country’s expanding presence in international arm-wrestling. The development follows the successful organisation of the Asian Arm-wrestling Cup in Mumbai in 2024 and the Asian Arm-wrestling and Para Arm-wrestling Championships in New Delhi in 2025.
At the 2025 Asian championships, India won 176 medals and finished second in the overall standings, demonstrating the country’s growing competitiveness in the sport.
Following the conclusion of the World Championships on November 6, attention will shift to the Pro Panja League (PPL) Poonawalla Gold Edition II, scheduled to take place in Pune on November 28. The competition is being organised by Pro Panja League in partnership with the Poonawalla Group and is expected to feature leading Indian and international arm-wrestlers, including World Championship medallists.
Among the Indian performers making their mark at the ongoing World Championships are Yogesh Choudhary, Harkomal Singh Gill and Aabhas Rana.
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Choudhary secured gold in the Masters Women’s +80kg right-hand category and bronze in the corresponding left-hand event. Gill claimed silver in the Youth Men’s 85kg right-hand category, while Rana won bronze in the Junior Boys’ +90kg left-hand category.
The 2026 World Arm-wrestling and Para Arm-wrestling Championships will conclude on November 6, with titles being contested across able-bodied and para categories.
The event is expected to provide further momentum to arm-wrestling in India by increasing international exposure, encouraging emerging athletes and strengthening the country’s position as a host of major global sporting competitions.
