Delhi Flexes Muscles: World Armwrestling & Para Armwrestling Championships Hit the Capital
Union Minister Kiren Rijiju and MP Anurag Thakur welcome 1,700+ athletes from 60 countries for the World Armwrestling Championships in Delhi.
New Delhi is currently the epicenter of global strength as it hosts the World Armwrestling Championships Delhi. In a historic first for the country, the city is playing host to both the 47th World Armwrestling Championship and the 28th World Para Armwrestling Championship 2026, bringing together the most powerful arms from across the globe.
The event, which runs from October 29 to November 7, 2026, has seen a massive influx of talent, with over 1,700 athletes, officials, and supporters arriving from more than 60 different countries. This makes it one of the largest international armwrestling gatherings ever staged, marking a defining milestone for the sport within India.
Ministerial Praise for a 'Spectacular' Start
Union Minister of Parliamentary and Minority Affairs, Kiren Rijiju, attended the opening ceremony and expressed his excitement over the scale of the event. He described the ceremony as "spectacular" and emphasized that hosting a world-class competition of this magnitude is a significant achievement for the organizers.
"This is the first time that a world-class arm wrestling championship is being held in India—specifically, here in Delhi," Minister Rijiju stated. "You can see some of the world’s strongest individuals—those with the most powerful arms—right here in India."
Rijiju extended his congratulations to the People's Armwrestling Federation of India (PAFI), specifically praising Preeti Jhangiani and Parvinn Dabass for their leadership in organizing the event under the guidance of the World Armwrestling Federation (WAF). He urged residents of Delhi and neighboring regions to attend and witness the raw power on display.
A Stepping Stone for India's Sporting Ambitions
Adding to the enthusiasm, BJP MP and former Union Minister of Youth Affairs & Sports, Anurag Thakur, highlighted that the event is a matter of immense national pride. With nearly 250 Indian athletes competing against international giants, Thakur noted that such events are crucial for boosting the morale of domestic sports stars.
Thakur linked the hosting of this championship to India's broader vision for global sports leadership, mentioning the country's plans for the 2030 Commonwealth Games and its bid for the 2036 Olympic Games. He asserted that hosting major international competitions back-to-back sends a clear message to the world that India is aggressively promoting a culture of sports.
Global Presence in the Capital
The championship has drawn the elite of the armwrestling world, including the most prominent and powerful nations in the sport. The event's prestige was further elevated by the presence of leading global figures, including Assen Hadjitodorov, the President of the World Armwrestling Federation (WAF), and Mircea Simionesc.
Event Highlights at a Glance:
- Dates: October 29 to November 7, 2026.
- Scale: 1,700+ participants from over 60 countries.
- Categories: 47th World Armwrestling and 28th World Para Armwrestling Championships.
- Indian Presence: Approximately 250 Indian athletes competing.
- Organizers: People's Armwrestling Federation of India (PAFI) affiliated with WAF.