Deepa Malik Opens 28th World Para Armwrestling Championship in Delhi
Paralympic legend Deepa Malik inaugurates the 28th World Para Armwrestling Championship in Delhi, welcoming over 400 athletes from 60+ nations.
India's sporting landscape reached a new milestone on Sunday as the legendary World Para Armwrestling Championship officially kicked off in the national capital. The 28th edition of this prestigious event was inaugurated by Deepa Malik, the first Indian woman to win a Paralympic medal and a recipient of the Khel Ratna, Padma Shri, and Arjuna awards.
The championship is being hosted at The Leela Ambience Convention Hotel in East Delhi. In a grand display of athletic versatility, the event is running concurrently with the 47th World Armwrestling Championship, with competitions scheduled to continue until November 7, 2026.
A Global Gathering of Strength and Spirit
The scale of the event highlights the growing global appeal of para-sports. More than 400 para-athletes from over 60 countries have converged in Delhi to compete for world glory. Joining Deepa Malik at the inauguration was Satya Prakash Sangwan (S. P. Sangwan), the Vice-President of the Paralympic Committee of India and the former Chef de Mission for the Indian contingent at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.
During her address, Deepa Malik emphasized that sports are about more than just medals. She spoke about the power of athletics to forge international bonds, stating that the true aim of sport is to break barriers, go beyond boundaries, and create friendships that turn competitors into an extended family.
Building an Inclusive India
Deepa Malik, who currently serves as the sub-regional representative for South Asia on the Executive Board of the Asian Paralympic Committee (APC), linked the success of the event to the vision of the Indian government. She noted that the gathering reflects Prime Minister Narendra Modi's goal of creating an inclusive India—one that ensures equal opportunities and a supportive ecosystem for all athletes.
Malik recalled her presence in Bulgaria when India was first entrusted with the responsibility of hosting these championships. She expressed her gratitude to Preeti Jhangiani, President of the People's Armwrestling Federation of India (PAFI) and Co-founder of Pro Panja League, as well as Parvinn Dabass, for their roles in bringing this global event to Indian soil.
"This is the real sporting spirit, embracing each other's cultures and learning from one another each time we go to a different country to compete," Malik remarked during the ceremony.
Event Highlights and Schedule
The competition is structured to test the strength of athletes across different categories. The opening day featured the Left Arm (All Para) events, while the Right Arm (All Para) competitions were scheduled to follow on Monday.
Satya Prakash Sangwan praised the organizational efforts, noting that the arrangements were excellent and expressing his pride in seeing so many nations participate in a well-organized championship in India.
As India prepares for the festive season of Diwali, the World Para Armwrestling Championship stands as a celebration of resilience and strength, placing India firmly on the map as a premier host for world-level para-sporting events.