Arm wrestling a strength of will power

KOCHI: From being a means to test physical strength, arms wrestling has come a long way and is today gaining acceptance as a sport among youngsters across the country, according to the national body for the sport. Arm wrestling competitions are not as simple as it seems to spectators, but involves a test of one's physical strength, willpower and skill as upper body strength and muscle power of the arms come into play, an official of the Arm Wrestling Federation of India said. The competitions themselves are quite tough, with two opponents facing each other across a specially designed wrestling table, provided with elbow and touch pads. The right or left hand of the rival is gripped as may be the case and the other hand grabs the pegs.

"When a competitor's hand is pinned on the touch pad on either side, the competition is over," A V Vikraman, General secretary of the federation, said. Though there is no time duration for the competitions, the world armsport federation has formulated 30 rules to make it more interesting and tougher, he said. Vikraman regretted that Sports Authority of India was yet to recognise the sport, though the game has gained wide acceptance among youngsters across the country, with well known arm wrestlers bringing laurels to the country. "Our Arm Wrestlers have won 108 world medals and 33 Asian Medals for the country, from various international competitions," he said.

Vikraman pointed out that a nine-member Indian team had brought laurels to the country, winning four medals, including a gold at the 29th World Arm Wrestling Championship held at Leon in Spain from October 6 to 11. Five members of this team were from Kerala, he said Thirty-two-year old Joby Mathew, a law graduate and a disabled person, put up an excellent performance for India winning the Gold medal in the 52 kg class (left hand) in the general category along with normal persons. While competing in the disabled category in the 60 kg category, Mathew won the silver medal, while the top honour went in favour of Garish of Egypt. In the 2005 World Championship at Japan, Mathew had won three bronze medals, competing in the general category, he said. Another impressive performer was Shaju, the Indian captain, who had bagged a silver and a bronze to stamp his class, Vikraman said. It was in 1977 the Indian Arm Wrestling Federation was founded and it is affiliated with the World Armsport Federation. The game is very popular in countries like the USA, Canada, China, Indonesia, Germany, France, Russia, Britain, Georgia, Kazakistan, Armenia, Malaysia, Netherlands, Israel and Egypt, he said.

The first World Championship was held in Canada in 1979 in which over 50 countries participated. India had hosted the World Meet thrice in 1980, 86 and 1997. Arm Wrestling was a special exhibition event in the 1994 World Games, and had won the appreciation of all, he said.