Two players slug it out at the 27th national armwrestling championship in Guwahati on Friday. Picture by UB Photos

ARMWRESTLING

Guwahati, Sept. 5: Hosts Assam had a fruitful day, grabbing two golds and a bronze medal at the 27th senior national armwrestling championship here today.

Ankush Das gave Assam a flying start, defeating Binoo Kaneha of Kerala for the men’s 90-kg gold.

There was more of good tidings for the hosts as Devirani Dutta cornered glory beating Saraswati Ganthia of Orissa in the women’s 50 kg.

Biraj Mech added another medal to the hosts’ kitty, clinching the men’s 50-kg bronze. He got the better of Sanytoash Das of Orissa.

Zinder Singh of Delhi won the men’s 80-kg gold, while Agi Kumar of Kerala grabbed the men’s 65-kg gold medal.

The general secretary of Assam Armwrestling Association, Pran Pratim Chaliha, said the sport has a bright future but lacked government support and sponsorship.

Chaliha, an international armwrestler, said that whenever an Assam player was selected for international meets they have to run from pillar to post to arrange funds.

“This is a discouraging trend, which has to be stopped. We want the players to concentrate on their game. But we need government and sponsor support. Armwrestling, after all, is not a lucrative sport like cricket or tennis,” he said.