New Delhi: Indian armwrestlers clinched four gold, two silver, and 14 bronze medals across the first two days of finals at the 47th World Armwrestling and 28th World Para Armwrestling Championships 2026, placing fourth in the overall medal standings behind Russia, Kazakhstan, and Türkiye.

Being hosted in India for the first time, the prestigious competition features more than 1,700 athletes from over 60 countries.

Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs and Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju and Hamirpur MP and former Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Anurag Singh Thakur inaugurated the event on Thursday in the presence of international sports dignitaries, including World Armwrestling Federation (WAF) President Assen Hadjitodorov and General Secretary Mircea Simionescu-Simicel. The championship is hosted by the People’s Armwrestling Federation of India (PAFI) under the aegis of WAF.

India’s Masters contingent led the medal charge on October 29, collecting four gold, one silver, and seven bronze medals. Jincymol Sebastian emerged as the standout performer, winning gold in both arms in the Grand Master Women’s 80kg category. Yogesh Choudhary secured gold in the Master Women’s +80kg right-arm event and bronze in the left-arm competition, while Shoukath VT won gold in the Master Men’s -60kg right-arm category and bronze in the left arm.

Minimol Jose claimed silver and Preetha C bronze in the Grand Master Women’s +80kg right-arm event, alongside double-bronze contributions from Priya Payyan Kunhiveettil and Mini K.

The younger competitors subsequently contributed eight medals in the left-arm finals on October 30. Jimmison Marwein won silver in the Youth Men’s 65kg category, while Aabhas Rana, Laithansanga, Ajay Kumar, and Vishnupriya P secured bronze medals in their respective divisions. Sub-Junior wrestlers Aryan Singh, Yumnam Chingkhei Singh, and Shane Salish also secured podium finishes with bronze medals.

Beyond the podium finishes, 128 Indian athletes recorded 154 placings across 90 of the 101 finals contested, with 17 competitors finishing fourth. Naveen Paul and Mihsngewbha Rymbai notably finished fourth in both arms in their respective categories.

The stellar results underline India’s growing prominence in international armwrestling, with medals secured across five age divisions ranging from sub-juniors to grand masters. The championship also serves as a crucial springboard for athletes targeting professional circuits, with Yogesh Choudhary and Aabhas Rana scheduled to compete in the Pro Panja League’s Gold Edition II in Pune on November 28.