World Armwrestling Championship 2026 Concludes with Record Participation
Championship Wrap-Up and Attendance
The 47th World Armwrestling and 28th World Para Armwrestling Championship 2026 came to a close on Friday at The Leela Ambience Convention Hotel in East Delhi. The closing ceremony featured notable attendees including Néstor Gabriel Baltodano Vargas, Ambassador of Costa Rica; Sena Latif, Romania's Ambassador to India; and Vakhtang Jaoshvili, Ambassador of Georgia to India. This event was organized by the People’s Armwrestling Federation of India (PAFI) under the auspices of the World Armwrestling Federation (WAF).
This championship marked its debut in India, attracting over 1,700 athletes, officials, and supporters from more than 60 nations to New Delhi. On stage alongside the ambassadors were Assen Hadjitodorov, WAF President; Mircea Simionescu-Simicel, WAF General Secretary; and other dignitaries. Awards and mementos were presented by Hadjitodorov, Jhangiani, and Dabass, while the ambassadors awarded medals to the top competitors.
Medal Rankings and Competition Highlights
Russia emerged as the overall champion, followed by Kazakhstan in second place and Turkey in third. Six athletes achieved gold medals in the senior category across both arms: Melek Celik and Esra Kiraz from Turkey, Ulbossyn Elmurat and Yerdualet Nurmakhan from Kazakhstan, and Irina Driaeva and Tengizi Natsvlishvili from Georgia. India secured a total of 59 medals, comprising 9 Gold, 19 Silver, and 31 Bronze. Para athletes contributed 26 medals (2 Gold, 10 Silver, 14 Bronze), placing India fifth in the para medal standings. Additionally, sub-junior, junior, and youth athletes added 20 medals (3 Gold, 8 Silver, 9 Bronze), while masters and grandmasters earned 12 medals (4 Gold, 1 Silver, 7 Bronze). In the senior finals, Madhura K N clinched bronze in the Women’s 70 kg Right category.
Notable performances included Jincymol Sebastian winning the Grand Master Women 80 kg title in both arms, and Yogesh Choudhary and Shoukath VT each securing gold in Right-arm and bronze in Left-arm categories.
Insights from Federation Leaders
Charles Osei Asibey, President of the Armwrestling Federation of Africa (AFA) and Vice President of WAF, remarked, "India has set a new benchmark as a host. The organization, hospitality, and enthusiasm of the crowd made this Championship unforgettable for all continents." Phil Rasmussen, President of Armwrestling Australia, noted, "New Delhi hosted a world-class Championship. India's growth in this sport is impressive, and its athletes deserve a place on the global stage."
Preeti Jhangiani, President of PAFI and Vice President of AAF, expressed, "We welcomed the world's strongest competitors to India, and as we bid farewell, we do so as one armwrestling family. Our athletes have made the nation proud on home turf. This Championship is a tribute to every Indian athlete, coach, and official who believed in this sport." Parvinn Dabass, Co-founder of Pro Panja League, added, "Our athletes have showcased the potential of Indian armwrestling on a grand stage, in front of a home audience. Hosting a World Championship was a dream for Panja in India; now it serves as a foundation for future growth."
Upcoming Events
The Championship took place from October 29 to November 6, 2026, with all matches streamed live by the Official Streaming Partner, Swen. The World Armwrestling Championship will be held in Canada next year. In India, the Pro Panja League Poonawalla Gold Edition II is scheduled for November 28, 2026, in Pune, featuring World Championship medallists Yogesh Choudhary, Harkomal Singh Gill, and Aabhas Rana.