More than 2,000 athletes from 27 states are set to participate in the fourth National Armwrestling and Para Armwrestling Championship 2026 at Gujarat’s Rashtriya Raksha University (RRU), marking the largest edition of the event to date. This championship will be held on the university’s campus at Lavad in Gandhinagar for the first time. The event, scheduled from May 29 to June 2, is a collaboration between the People’s Armwrestling Federation India (PAFI), the Armwrestling Federation of Gujarat, and RRU.
The championship is being organized in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision to enhance India’s sports culture and revive the nation’s civilizational values through sports. Notable figures in the sport, including PAFI President Preeti Jhangiani, Pro Panja League owner Praveen Dabas, and representatives from the Armwrestling Association of Gujarat, will participate in the inaugural ceremony on May 30. This year’s event underscores the increasing popularity of armwrestling and para armwrestling in India.
The third PAFI National Armwrestling Championship in Thrissur, Kerala, saw around 1,700 athletes from 25 states participating. The upcoming edition at RRU is expected to surpass these numbers with over 2,000 competitors from 27 states. Data reveals that the Northeastern states will have the largest representation with nearly 350 athletes, followed by Kerala with 289 participants and Uttar Pradesh with around 140 athletes. Gujarat, the host state, is expected to have 105 athletes competing.
Rashtriya Raksha University emphasizes its commitment to promoting physical education and sporting excellence at the national level through its School of Physical Education and Sports. The championship holds significance following President Droupadi Murmu’s acknowledgment of the university’s contributions to sports during its fifth convocation ceremony. The event is part of RRU’s efforts to enhance its capacity to host major sporting events, leading up to its role as the host institution for the 2029 World Police and Fire Games.
The championship aligns with Gujarat’s expanding role in India’s sports landscape and Ahmedabad’s aspirations to host the 2036 Olympic Games. Organizers view the event as a significant milestone for the university, bringing together athletes, para-athletes, sports administrators, and officials from across the country to advance armwrestling as a competitive sport in India.
