Aizawl: Mizo arm wrestlers and enthusiasts have come together to support 16 athletes who will represent India at the World Arm Wrestling Championship 2026, with proceeds from a special competition in Aizawl set aside to help meet their expenses.
The Mizoram Arm Wrestling Association (MAWA) organised the Mizoram Armwrestling Super Match, ‘Battle of the Hills’, at Vanapa Hall in Aizawl as a fundraising event for the Mizo contingent preparing to compete at the world championship, scheduled to be held in Delhi in October and November.
Participation in the championship involves considerable expenses. To help ease the financial burden on the athletes, organisers said all proceeds from the ‘Battle of the Hills’ would be used to support the 16 Mizo arm wrestlers competing at the championship.
The event brought together competitors from Mizoram and other parts of the country. Dara Singh and Kyle Cummings from Maharashtra, along with Denic Lalruattluanga, a gold medallist at the 2024 Asian Arm Wrestling International Cup, also took part.
Competitions were held in the 65kg, 75kg, 85kg and 85+kg categories.
Sports Minister Lalnghinglova Hmar, who attended the event, said arm wrestling was a sport well suited to Mizos and noted that the state government had included it among the sports eligible for the Mizoram Sports Incentive Cash Award.
Hmar also said efforts were underway to have arm wrestling included in the 2027 National Games and the 2032 Paralympic Games.
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