Kerala Policewoman Mini Raju bags two gold medals at World Arm Wrestling Competition

India has won 13 medals overall including three golds, four silvers and five bronze medals.

Kerala policewoman Mini Raju won two gold medals in the World Arm Wrestling competition held in Turkey from October 14-23, 2022. Overall India has won 13 medals with three golds, four silver, and five bronze medals which is the highest comparing all the other editions.

Mini Raju took up the sport only in 2018 when she won the Interdistrict arm wrestling competition conducted by the Kerala Police Association. Since then her career graph has gone up drastically and in a short span of time has gone on to win two gold medals and the first after 1979 from India to do so.

Ligament Injury

Mini initially started with athletics taking part in the 100m and 200m sprint events along with taking part in the long jump but an injury to the ligament in 2008 made her take up arm wrestling bringing in good rewards. India for the 2022 edition had sent a 43-member contingent who have collectively won 13 medals which is also the highest among all the World Championships.

Of the 13 medals, eight medal winners are from Kerala showing total dominance. Mini Raju has credited massive support from her husband who takes her to train both in the mornings and evenings and also helps her during her training regime.

Arm Wrestling as a sport in India has taken huge strides in the last couple of years. This year (2020) Pro Panja League was organised in which all the top wrestlers from the world were present making the tournament a huge success. Yogesh Choudhary, Sameer VT and Sanjay Deswal are one of the top arm wrestlers presently in India.