India Power Through: 12 Medals in Junior Right-Arm Finals
India secures 12 medals in junior Right-arm finals, bringing total tally to 32 at the World Armwrestling Championship.
India has made a resounding statement on the global stage, clinching 12 medals during the junior Right-arm finals at the 47th World Armwrestling & 28th World Para Armwrestling Championship 2026. This massive haul has propelled India's total medal count to 32, consisting of 7 Gold, 9 Silver, and 16 Bronze medals after three days of intense competition.
With this impressive performance, India now stands fourth in the overall standings, trailing only the powerhouses of Russia, Turkey, and Kazakhstan.
Gold Rush and Redemption Stories
The Youth Men's 60 kg category witnessed a dominant display by India, with Reuben Lalhmangaihzuala securing the top spot and Ajay Kumar following closely for a historic one-two finish. Adding to the gold tally, Lalpekhlua B. triumphed in the Sub-Junior Boys 55 kg division.
Some of the most inspiring moments came from athletes who turned their previous setbacks into victories. R Lalpekhlua (Junior Boys 60 kg) and Harkomal Singh Gill (Youth Men 85 kg) had previously finished ninth and tenth respectively in the Left-arm events, but they bounced back spectacularly to claim gold and silver in the Right-arm finals.
A Broad Spectrum of Success
The silver medal surge was led by a diverse group of athletes. Laithansanga (Youth Men -55 kg) and Ajay Kumar both added Right-arm silver to their existing Left-arm bronze medals. Other silver medalists include:
- Mohit Kumar (Sub-Junior Boys 50 kg)
- Utkarsh Parmar (Junior Boys -50 kg)
- Teja PJ (Youth Women 55 kg)
- Shreen Bojja (Youth Women 80 kg)
- Harkomal Singh Gill (Youth Men 85 kg)
Completing the podium finishes were Veer Gurjar (Sub-Junior Boys 50 kg) and Anna Theresa K Roy (Youth Women -50 kg), who both secured bronze medals.
Dominance Beyond the Podium
While the medals tell one story, the overall presence of India in the finals tells another. Indian athletes showcased incredible depth, placing in 48 out of the 49 Right-arm finals. In total, 82 Indian athletes competed, with 70 finishing outside the medals but still achieving high rankings. Twelve athletes finished in a heartbreaking fourth place, including Nicolas Thounaojam in the Junior Boys 65 kg and Muhammed Roshan MK in the Youth Men 75 kg categories.
From World Stage to Pro Panja League
The growth of the sport in India has been bolstered by the Pro Panja League (PPL), co-founded by Preeti Jhangiani and Parvinn Dabass, which provides professional athletes with a platform to excel.
Following his silver medal win, Harkomal Singh Gill is set to join the elite line-up for the PPL Poonawalla Gold Edition II in Pune on November 28, 2026. He will join other standout performers like Yogesh Choudhary (Gold in Master Women +80 kg Right; Bronze in Left) and Aabhas Rana (Bronze in Junior Boys +90 kg Left) in the event organized in partnership with the Poonawalla Group.
Summary of India's Medal Haul:
- Gold: Reuben Lalhmangaihzuala, R Lalpekhlua, Lalpekhlua B.
- Silver: Harkomal Singh Gill, Ajay Kumar, Laithansanga, Mohit Kumar, Utkarsh Parmar, Teja PJ, Shreen Bojja.
- Bronze: Veer Gurjar, Anna Theresa K Roy.
India's achievement of 32 medals across five age divisions—ranging from Sub-Juniors to Grand Masters—against competitors from 53 nations marks a defining milestone in the evolution of armwrestling in the country.