India concluded its landmark first-ever home armwrestling World Championship with a haul of 59 medals — comprising 9 gold, 19 silver, and 31 bronze — at the 47th World Armwrestling and 28th World Para Armwrestling Championship 2026, held in New Delhi and wrapped up on Friday, 6 November 2026. The tournament was the first time India hosted the sport's global showpiece, drawing more than 1,700 athletes, officials, and supporters from over 60 countries.

India's Medal Breakdown

India's tally spanned every competitive tier. Para athletes were the strongest contributors with 26 medals (2 gold, 10 silver, 14 bronze), placing India fifth on the para medal table. Sub-junior, junior, and youth athletes added 20 medals (3 gold, 8 silver, 9 bronze), while the masters and grand masters contingent contributed 12 medals (4 gold, 1 silver, 7 bronze). India claimed one bronze in the senior category, won by Madhura K N in the Women 70 kg Right arm final.

Indian Athletes Who Stood Out

Jincymol Sebastian delivered a double-arm sweep in the Grand Master Women 80 kg category, winning gold on both right and left arms. Yogesh Choudhary and Shoukath VT each secured right-arm gold and left-arm bronze in their respective divisions. These performances on home soil were widely seen as a breakthrough moment for the sport's growing profile in India.

Overall Championship Standings

Russia finished as overall champions of the 47th edition, with Kazakhstan second and Turkey third. Six athletes achieved the rare feat of winning senior gold on both arms: Melek Celik and Esra Kiraz of Türkiye; Ulbossyn Elmurat and Yerdualet Nurmakhan of Kazakhstan; and Irina Driaeva and Tengizi Natsvlishvili of Georgia.

Closing Ceremony and Global Praise

The closing ceremony was held at The Leela Ambience Convention Hotel in East Delhi and was attended by ambassadors from Costa Rica, Romania, and Georgia. Charles Osei Asibey, President of the Armwrestling Federation of Africa and Vice President of the World Armwrestling Federation (WAF), said India had 'set a new standard as a host' and that 'the organisation, the hospitality and the passion of the crowd made this a Championship every continent will remember.'

Preeti Jhangiani, President of the People's Armwrestling Federation of India (PAFI) and Co-founder of the Pro Panja League, said the event belonged to 'every Indian athlete, coach and official who believed in this sport.' Co-founder Parvinn Dabass called the hosting achievement 'a benchmark we will keep building on.'

What Comes Next

The World Armwrestling Championship moves to Canada next year. Domestically, the Pro Panja League Poonawalla Gold Edition II is scheduled for Pune on 28 November 2026, featuring World Championship medallists Yogesh Choudhary, Harkomal Singh Gill, and Aabhas Rana. The Championship, which ran from 29 October to 6 November 2026, was organised by PAFI under the auspices of the WAF.