Ahmedabad : In line with the Hon’ble Prime Minister’s vision of strengthening India’s sports culture and reviving the nation’s civilisational values and ethos, Rashtriya Raksha University (RRU) is set to host the 4th National Armwrestling & Para Armwrestling Championship 2026 in collaboration with the Armwrestling Federation of Gujarat and People’s Armwrestling Federation India (PAFI). The championship will be held from 29th May to 2nd June 2026 at the University’s Gandhinagar campus in Lavad.
The prestigious national-level sporting event marks the first time RRU will host a championship of this scale on its campus and is expected to witness participation from more than 2,000 athletes representing 27 states across the country.
The inaugural ceremony, scheduled for 30th May 2026, will witness the presence of several prominent personalities associated with the sport, including Preeti Jhangiani, President of PAFI; Praveen Dabas; along with representatives from the Armwrestling Association of Gujarat, including General Secretary Rajender Singh Parmar and Treasurer Mayank Patel.
The championship reflects the rapidly growing popularity of armwrestling as a competitive sport in India. Building on the success of the 3rd PAFI National Armwrestling Championship held in Thrissur, Kerala, which attracted participation from 1,700 athletes across 25 states, the upcoming edition at RRU is expected to set a new benchmark with a significantly larger turnout.
Participation statistics indicate a strong nationwide response, with the North-Eastern states contributing nearly 350 athletes, followed by Kerala with 289 participants, Uttar Pradesh with 140 athletes, and host state Gujarat with 105 participants. The championship highlights RRU’s continued commitment to promoting physical education, sportsmanship, and national-level sporting excellence.
The event also carries special significance for the University following the encouraging remarks made by the Hon’ble President of India during RRU’s 5th Convocation Ceremony, where she appreciated the University’s contribution towards sports and physical education and congratulated RRU student N. Roshibina Devi for her achievements at international sporting platforms, including the Asian Games in Wushu.
Hosting the championship further aligns with RRU’s long-term vision of strengthening its institutional capabilities for organising large-scale international sporting events, especially in view of the University’s role as a host institution for the 2029 World Police and Fire Games. The initiative also complements Gujarat’s expanding role in India’s sports ecosystem and Ahmedabad’s larger vision of hosting the 2036 Olympic Games.
The championship is expected to bring together athletes, sports administrators, coaches, and enthusiasts from across the nation, creating a vibrant platform for competitive excellence, inclusivity, and the promotion of emerging sports disciplines in India.