The 46th National Arm Wrestling Championship, organized by the Indian Arm Wrestling Federation, took place in Raipur, Chhattisgarh.
This year's championship saw participation from 750 arm wrestlers from across the country. The event was graced by the presence of the General Secretary of the Indian Arm Wrestling Federation and several state dignitaries at the closing ceremony.
The arm wrestlers from Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) delivered an exceptional performance, bringing home a total of 18 medals, making it a proud moment for the state. The medal tally included 8 gold, 6 silver and 4 bronze medals.
Among the notable mention included, Qasim Mohammad who received the prestigious Champion of Champions title in the Junior category.
Inayat Khan from Ganderbal who secured four medals in the 90 Junior category, with one gold, two silvers, and one bronze.
Qasim from Anantnag won two gold medals in both the right and left hand categories in the Junior division.
Irkam from Jammu district also clinched two gold medals in the right and left hand categories in the Sub-Junior category.
Faizaan Hameed from Jammu district earned a gold medal in the left hand and a silver in the right hand in the Junior category.
Basit Zahid from Shopian district won gold in the right hand category in the Youth category.
Umer from district secured gold in the left hand 80 kg Junior category.
Tajamul Sofi from Baramulla district earned a silver medal in the Junior category.
Fahik from Srinagar district took home a bronze medal in the 75 kg left hand Junior category.
Nowshad Bhat from Srinagar won silver in the 65 kg right hand Sub-Junior category.
Arfat from Srinagar earned a bronze in the 80 kg right hand Junior category.
Yasir Shabir from Shopian secured silver in the Junior category.
Shamiq Bilal from Pulwama won bronze in the 90 left hand category.
The J&K Arm Wrestling Association congratulated all the medal winners and expressed gratitude to Mushtaq Ahmad Zargar for his inspirational role in encouraging youth to participate in weightlifting and arm wrestling competitions. "The credit for introducing arm wrestling in J&K goes to him. He is one of the pillars of weightlifting and arm wrestling in J&K, under whose guidance hundreds of players have won medals at national and international competitions," said the Secretary of the J&K Arm Wrestling Association.
Currently, over 1500 players in J&K are involved in the sport of arm wrestling. The Association's primary goal is to create a drug-free society and transform J&K into a hub of arm wrestling athletes.
The Association also extended their thanks to the Secretary, J&K Sports Council Nuzhat Gull for her tireless efforts in promoting a sports culture in J&K. Under her leadership, thousands of athletes are regularly undergoing training at various stadiums, indoor sports halls, and playfields across J&K.