Leh, May 23 : Rashtriya Raksha University (RRU), Gujarat, will host the 4th National Armwrestling and Para Armwrestling Championship 2026 from May 29 to June 2 at its Gandhinagar campus, with more than 2,000 athletes from 27 states expected to participate in what is being described as one of the country’s largest armwrestling events to date.
The championship is being organised jointly by RRU, the Armwrestling Federation of Gujarat and the People’s Armwrestling Federation India (PAFI). The five-day event marks the first occasion that the university will host a national-level armwrestling competition at its campus in Lavad, Gandhinagar.
Organisers said the championship reflects the growing popularity and competitive reach of armwrestling in India, particularly after the successful conduct of the 3rd PAFI National Armwrestling Championship in Thrissur, Kerala, which had witnessed participation from 1,700 athletes representing 25 states.
According to participation figures released by the organisers, the North-Eastern states are expected to field the largest contingent with nearly 350 athletes, followed by Kerala with 289 participants, Uttar Pradesh with 140 and host state Gujarat with 105 athletes.
The inaugural ceremony scheduled for May 30 will witness the participation of several prominent personalities associated with the sport, including PAFI President Ms. Preeti Jhangiani and Pro Panja League owner Mr. Praveen Dabas. Senior office-bearers of the Armwrestling Association of Gujarat, including General Secretary Rajender Singh Parmar and Treasurer Mayank Patel, are also expected to attend.
The university stated that the event aligns with the broader vision of promoting sports culture and physical education in the country. Officials noted that the championship assumes added significance in the backdrop of remarks made by the President of India during RRU’s fifth convocation, where the university’s contribution towards sports and physical education was acknowledged.
The institution also linked the championship with its ongoing efforts to strengthen organisational capacity for large-scale sporting events ahead of its proposed role as host institution for the 2029 World Police and Fire Games.
