Union Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports Raksha Nikhil Khadse on Tuesday, 3 November 2026, visited the venue of the 47th World Arm-wrestling Championships and 28th World Para Arm-wrestling Championships 2026 in New Delhi, describing India's first-ever hosting of the global event as a 'very big opportunity' for the country. The minister extended her best wishes to participants from more than 60 countries gathered for the historic occasion.

India's Historic First

The championships are being held at the Leela Ambience Convention Hotel, New Delhi, from 29 October to 6 November 2026, drawing more than 1,700 athletes, officials and supporters — making it one of the largest international arm-wrestling events staged to date. This is the first time India has hosted the World Arm-wrestling Championships, a milestone that follows a rapid rise in the country's standing in the sport.

The event is hosted by the People's Arm-wrestling Federation of India (PAFI), led by president Preeti Jhangiani, who also serves as vice-president of the Asian Arm-wrestling Federation, alongside co-founder of the Pro Panja League, Parvinn Dabass. The championships are held under the affiliation and guidance of the World Arm-wrestling Federation (WAF), with Swen serving as the official streaming partner.

India's Medal Tally So Far

Indian athletes have delivered a strong showing on home soil, securing 58 medals as of the minister's visit — comprising 9 gold, 19 silver, and 30 bronze. The tally includes 26 medals in para categories, 20 across sub-junior, junior and youth categories, and 12 in masters and grand masters events.

Among the standout performers, Yogesh Choudhary claimed gold in the Masters Women's +80kg right-hand category and bronze in the left-hand event. Harkomal Singh Gill secured silver in the Youth Men's 85kg right-hand category, while Aabhas Rana took bronze in the Junior Boys' +90kg left-hand event.

What the Minister Said

Khadse watched live bouts and interacted with athletes and officials during her visit. Speaking at the venue, she said: 'For us, it is a very big opportunity that India is hosting the 47th World Arm-wrestling & 28th Para World Arm-wrestling Championship 2026 competition. All the very best from my side to everyone here. I am trying to encourage this arm-wrestling competition in India also. And thus, through this, definitely we all together can make something good for our country also.'

Her visit follows the formal inauguration of the championships on 29 October by Union Minister of Parliamentary and Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju and Member of Parliament Anurag Singh Thakur.

India's Growing Arm-Wrestling Footprint

India's hosting of the World Championships builds on a sharply rising trajectory in the sport. The country staged the Asian Arm-wrestling Cup in Mumbai in 2024, followed by the Asian Arm-wrestling and Para Arm-wrestling Championships in New Delhi in 2025, where India won 176 medals and finished second overall. The current World Championships represent the highest-profile event on that upward curve.

The international competition will be followed by the Pro Panja League (PPL) Poonawalla Gold Edition II in Pune on 28 November, organised in partnership with the Poonawalla Group. World Championship medallists Choudhary, Gill and Rana are among those expected to feature. The World Championships themselves conclude on 6 November, with titles to be decided across able-bodied and para categories.