GUWAHATI: At the National Armwrestling Championship, 2024, held from June 6 to June 10, athletes from Assam emerged victorious by winning medals across various categories. The championship was held in Nagpur, Maharashtra.
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Ishan Kashyap and Deepankar Mech, both from Jorhat, clinched the silver medals at the National Armwrestling Championship 2024 in 85 kg senior men and 70 kg senior men categories respectively. Both have been selected for the World Armwrestling Championship 2024 in Moldova in August. More than 3000 players participated in this event from 25 States all over India.
Speaking to GPlus, Ishan Kashyap said, “Our preparations for the National Armwrestling Championship had gone extremely well, as both me and Deepankar prepared at the same gym in Jorhat, and we gave it our all. Now we are targeting our next event which will be held in Moldova.”
Siddharth Malakar from Guwahati also clinched the silver medal for 90 kg senior left right hand, as well as bronze for senior men 90 kg left hand.
Talking to GPlus, Siddharth Malakar said, “The tournament was really tough with more than 2700 players from every state of the country. To be honest I feel a little unlucky and disappointed given the fact that I was the defending champion in my weight class. But again, I feel grateful to be in the medal tally of one of the toughest nationals I have ever played. I’m taking all the positives from this tournament and I’m sure I’ll take back my title next year.”
Other players who won medals in the senior men category are – Bronze by Kanan Borgohain for 100 kg right hand, Bronze by Amit Chowdhury for 110 kg right hand, Silver by Ranjita Baruah in senior women 60 kg, Gold by Chetna Sharma in 65 kg women, both left and right hand. Chetna Sharma also won the Champion of Champions title.
The above athletes will be competing in the world championship but only qualified players from 2022 ranking tournament will be playing Pro Panja League. Siddharth Malakar, Deepanakar Mech and Amit Chowdhury have been selected this time to play in the Pro Panja League.
In the youth category, Nilay Shankar won Gold in the 65 kg right hand and Akash Handique won Gold in 60kg right hand.
In a separate National Armwrestling Championship held in Duliajan from June 6 to June 8, Pranjit Saikia from Guwahati, won Gold in senior men 95 kg category.
Speaking to GPlus he said, “I have also received the title of ‘Overall Strongest Arm’ of India. I will represent India at the Asian Championship which is going to be held in Bangalore, and The World Armwrestling Championship which is going to be held in Greece.
