India Shines at World Armwrestling Championships with 12 Medals
India's Impressive Performance at the Championships
On November 2, India achieved remarkable success at the 47th World Armwrestling and 28th World Para Armwrestling Championship 2026, securing a total of 12 medals during the junior Right-arm finals. This achievement brings India's overall medal tally to 32, comprising 7 Gold, 9 Silver, and 16 Bronze, placing them fourth overall, trailing behind Russia, Turkey, and Kazakhstan.
Reuben Lalhmangaihzuala and Ajay Kumar showcased their skills by clinching gold and silver in the Youth Men 60 kg category. Additionally, Lalpekhlua B. triumphed in the Sub-Junior Boys 55 kg event. R Lalpekhlua and Harkomal Singh Gill made a strong comeback from lower placements in the Left arm finals to secure gold and silver in the Junior Boys 60 kg and Youth Men 85 kg categories, respectively.
Laithansanga and Ajay Kumar also added to their accolades, winning silver in the Right-arm after previously earning bronze in the Left-arm. Mohit Kumar and Veer Gurjar finished second and third in the Sub-Junior Boys 50 kg category, while Utkarsh Parmar, Teja PJ, and Shreen Bojja each secured silver in their respective events. Anna Theresa K Roy rounded out the medal tally with a bronze in the Youth Women -50 kg category.
The Pro Panja League (PPL), co-founded by Preeti Jhangiani and Parvinn Dabass, provides a professional platform for Indian arm wrestlers to excel. Following their podium finishes, Harkomal Singh Gill (Silver, Youth Men 85 kg Right) will join Yogesh Choudhary (Gold, Master Women +80 kg Right; Bronze, Left) and Aabhas Rana (Bronze, Junior Boys +90 kg Left) at the upcoming PPL Poonawalla Gold Edition II in Pune on November 28, 2026, organized in collaboration with the Poonawalla Group.
Gold medalists include Reuben Lalhmangaihzuala, R Lalpekhlua, and Lalpekhlua B. Silver medals were awarded to Harkomal Singh Gill, Ajay Kumar, Laithansanga, Mohit Kumar, Utkarsh Parmar, Teja PJ, and Shreen Bojja, while Veer Gurjar and Anna Theresa K Roy took home bronze medals.
In total, Indian athletes participated in 48 of the 49 Right-arm finals, with 82 competitors in all. Twelve athletes finished in fourth place, including Nicolas Thounaojam (Junior Boys 65 kg) and Muhammed Roshan MK (Youth Men 75 kg).
India's impressive medal count over three days spans five age divisions, from Sub-Juniors to Grand Masters, competing against athletes from 53 countries, marking a significant milestone for the sport's development in India.