Ibi Lollen won two bronze medals at the 21st Asian Armwrestling Championship, which concluded in Ajman, UAE, on May 3. The young sportsperson from Arunachal Pradesh won the medals in both left hand and right hand categories in the senior women’s 65 kg weight category, said All Arunachal Pradesh Arm Wrestling Association (AAPAWA) President Pakjar Taipodia.
Lollen was the lone player from the northeast Indian state to represent the country in the championship. It was after 20 years that an arm wrestler from Arunachal Pradesh has won a medal at the Asian championship. In 2003, the present AAPAWA president and coach Pakjar Taipodia had won one silver and one bronze medal in right hand and left hand categories, respectively. The coach said there are many more players in Arunachal Pradesh, who can win medals at international level.
Over 500 athletes from 16 countries were in the fray at the Asian Armwrestling Championship. The contest, comprising the 21st edition of the Asian Armwrestling Championship and the Asian Para-Armwrestling Championship, was organised by the Asian Armwrestling Federation in cooperation with the UAE Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation at the Bahi Ajman Place hotel.
