18 Assam Armwrestlers Join India Squad for World Championships

State athletes earn spots in the national contingent as New Delhi prepares to host the 47th World Armwrestling and 28th Para Armwrestling Championships.

GUWAHATI — The sporting landscape in Assam received a significant boost this week as 18 state athletes were officially named to the Indian national squad for the upcoming World Armwrestling and Para Armwrestling Championships. The announcement was made on July 3, 2026, in Guwahati, marking a major milestone for the region’s growing influence in the professional armwrestling circuit.

The selected athletes will represent India at the prestigious global event, which is scheduled to take place at the Leela Ambience Convention Hotel in New Delhi from October 26 to November 7, 2026. This selection follows the official expansion of the Pro Panja League into Assam, a move aimed at providing a structured professional pathway for local talent.

Assam’s Rising Star Power

The 18 armwrestlers from Assam selected for the national contingent are Debangana Bordoloi, Sumit Mali, Ujjal Gogoi, Dimpal Kalita, Payal Bhowmick, Anisha Sarma, Kumalika Das, Ismritom Boruah, Raj Hazarika, Rituraj Pandey, Bittu Kalita, Parishmita Gogoi, Anju Kumari, Monoj Debnath, Kritika Das, Nayan Bora, Diganta Kumar Phukan, and Mrinmoy Patgiri.

Notably, three of these athletes—Parishmita Gogoi, Payal Bhowmick, and Rituraj Pandey—have also secured "Golden Tickets" to the Pro Panja League, a development that guarantees them entry into the league’s high-stakes professional circuit. According to officials, this professional integration is expected to enhance the training and competitive readiness of the athletes as they prepare to face international challengers on home soil.

A Global Stage on Indian Soil

The World Armwrestling and Para Armwrestling Championships are expected to draw over 2,000 athletes from more than 75 countries. The event is a significant progression for the sport in India, building on the success of the 2025 Asian Armwrestling Championships, which were also hosted in New Delhi. During the 2025 continental event, India demonstrated its rising dominance by finishing second in the overall medal standings with 176 medals.

"In October, over 2,000 athletes from more than 75 countries will compete on Indian soil, and our Assam players will have the honour of taking on the world in front of a home crowd," said Preeti Jhangiani, President of the People’s Armwrestling Federation India (PAFI) and Vice President of the Asian Armwrestling Federation. She reaffirmed that PAFI would provide full technical and logistical support to the squad during their intensive training phase leading up to the tournament.

Why It Matters

For the athletes from Assam, this championships offer a rare opportunity to compete for a world title in their home country. For the state of Assam, the selection of 18 players is a source of regional pride and validates the talent pool that Pro Panja League co-founder Parvinn Dabass described as "already in the state's blood." The professionalization of the sport, characterized by dedicated rankings and career pathways, is positioning India as a primary global hub for armwrestling.

Key Facts at a Glance

• National Representation: 18 athletes from Assam have earned spots in the Indian squad for the World Championships.

• Tournament Dates: The 47th World Armwrestling and 28th Para Armwrestling Championships will be held from October 26 to November 7, 2026.

• Venue: The event will be hosted at the Leela Ambience Convention Hotel in New Delhi.

• Global Scale: Over 2,000 competitors from 75+ countries are expected to participate.

• Professional Pathway: Three Assam athletes earned "Golden Tickets" to the Pro Panja League, the premier professional armwrestling circuit in the country.

FAQ

How were the Assam athletes selected?

The athletes were selected through competitive trials and evaluations conducted by the People’s Armwrestling Federation India (PAFI) in collaboration with regional associations.

What is the significance of the "Golden Ticket"?

A Golden Ticket provides athletes with direct entry into the Pro Panja League, ensuring they gain exposure in a professional, high-prize-money league environment.

Will the World Championships include para-athletes?

Yes, the event encompasses both the 47th World Armwrestling Championships and the 28th Para Armwrestling Championships.

Source: People’s Armwrestling Federation India (PAFI), Pro Panja League, World Armwrestling Federation (WAF)