Nongpoh, June 6: Arm wrestlers from Ri Bhoi district and Meghalaya returned home to a warm welcome after delivering an impressive performance at the 4th PAFI National Arm Wrestling Championships 2026, held in Gujarat from May 29 to June 2.
Representing Ri Bhoi under the leadership of renowned arm wrestler Margaret Pathaw, a contingent of 21 athletes participated in the national event and secured a total of 10 medals across various categories.
Leading the district’s medal charge was Pathaw herself, who once again demonstrated her dominance on the national stage by winning two gold medals in the Masters 60kg category, claiming top honours in both the left-hand and right-hand divisions.
Meghalaya fielded a strong contingent of 104 arm wrestlers at the championship and achieved remarkable success, bringing home a total of 81 medals, including 32 gold, 32 silver and 33 bronze medals, underlining the state’s growing stature in the sport.
Upon their return, the medal-winning athletes from Ri Bhoi were felicitated by the District Social Welfare Office in recognition of their achievements and for bringing laurels to the district and the state. Special recognition was accorded to Margaret Pathaw, who is also the Brand Ambassador of the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao initiative under the Social Welfare Department, for her outstanding performance at the national championship.
The athletes were also honoured by the Confederation of Ri Bhoi People (CoRP), led by its president Pateng Myrsing, along with other members of the organisation. The delegation congratulated the arm wrestlers and expressed gratitude for elevating the prestige of both Ri Bhoi district and Meghalaya through their achievements.
Speaking on the occasion, Margaret Pathaw said that competing in Gujarat was not without challenges, particularly due to adverse weather conditions and travel-related difficulties. However, she credited the dedication, perseverance and hard work of the athletes for the team’s success and Meghalaya’s impressive medal tally.
She noted that arm wrestling is steadily gaining popularity across Meghalaya and revealed that the state’s athletes are now preparing for the upcoming World Arm Wrestling Championship, which is scheduled to be held in New Delhi later this year.
Pathaw further emphasized her commitment, as a promoter of youth and women’s empowerment through sports, to helping Meghalaya secure more medals in the junior and sub-junior categories in future competitions.
However, she pointed out that the Ri Bhoi arm wrestling fraternity continues to face challenges due to a shortage of proper training equipment. She appealed to individuals, organizations and well-wishers to extend support in providing the necessary sporting infrastructure and equipment so that athletes can adequately prepare for the forthcoming world championship and continue to excel at higher levels of competition.
The achievements of the Ri Bhoi contingent have once again highlighted Meghalaya’s emergence as a strong force in Indian arm wrestling and showcased the immense talent being nurtured in the state.
