ITANAGAR, 4 Jun: Remdo Gao from Arunachal Pradesh has qualified for the upcoming World Arm Wrestling Championship after winning gold at the PAFI National Arm Wrestling and Para Arm Wrestling Championship held in Gandhinagar, Gujarat from 29 May to 2 June, the All Arunachal Pradesh Arm-Wrestling Association (AAPAWA) said in a release.
The world championship will be held in New Delhi in September this year.
Gao clinched the medal in the junior boys’ 55 kg left arm category. He emerged victorious after defeating 23 opponents in his category.
Gao is the son of Oisi Taki Gao and Orem Gao, and hails from Pasighat in East Siang district.
Another athlete from Arunachal, Nanang Giri,secured 4th place in the youth boys’ 65 kg left arm category.
Around 1,800 arm wrestlers from 24 states across India participated in the event, making it one of the largest arm wrestling competitions in the country.
A 28-member contingent, including players and officials, represented Arunachal at the event.
The overall ‘champions of champions’ title winners in various categories were: Yuvraj (Delhi) in senior men, Madhura Hassan (Karnataka) in senior women, Aville (Nagaland) in youth boys, Olivia (Mizoram) in youth girls, Joshya (Kerala) in junior girls, Rajiv Nanda (Delhi), in sub-junior boys, and Akleena Mehjabeen (Kerala) in sub-junior girls.
The Arunachal contingent was led by AAPAWA joint secretary Bamang Bai as team manager. AAPAWA treasurer Katu Yomcha was the team captain.
AAPAWA president Pakjar Taipodia also attended the championship, continuing her unwavering support for the state’s athletes. She monitored the team’s participation throughout the event and provided encouragement and moral support to the players.
AAPAWA general secretary Yiri Kamcham congratulated Gao and expressed confidence that other arm wrestlers from the state would also excel in upcoming national and international competitions.
