Gandhinagar, June 3, 2026: Kerala successfully retained the overall title at the 4th National Armwrestling & Para-Armwrestling Championship held at Rashtriya Raksha University, Gandhinagar, finishing with the highest medal tally for the second consecutive year.
The four-day event attracted more than 1,800 athletes from across India, making it one of the country’s largest armwrestling championships. The tournament was organised by the Armwrestling Sports Association Gujarat under the aegis of the People’s Armwrestling Federation India (PAFI).
The spotlight was on Yuvraj Verma, who was crowned the Senior Men’s Champion of Champions after winning the 110 kg category and defeating champions from multiple weight divisions, including Denic Lalruattluanga, Vethozo Lohe and Aabhas Rana. Verma also secured gold medals in both right-hand and left-hand 110 kg events.
In the women’s competition, Madhura Hassan claimed the Women’s Champion of Champions title with a victory over Mizoram’s K Lalhriatpuii in the final.
One of the tournament’s biggest upsets came when 18-year-old Aabhas Rana defeated previously unbeaten Mazahir Saidu in the 100 kg final. Kerala’s Joshya J also impressed, winning gold after overcoming experienced armwrestlers Yogesh Chaudhary and Nirmal Devi.
The championship highlighted the growing depth and competitiveness of Indian armwrestling.
