At just 18 years of age, Monojit Deb from Assam’s Badarpur has announced himself as one of the state’s most promising young sporting talents after clinching the gold medal at the Board Control Arm Wrestling of India (BCAI) National Arm Wrestling Championship in Bengaluru.
Competing in the Under-18 Boys’ 63 kg Right-Hand category, Monojit secured the national title and took a significant step towards fulfilling his dream of representing India on the global stage.
Speaking to India Today NE, Monojit described the victory as the realization of a long-cherished ambition.
“Winning the gold was a dream. Ever since I started arm wrestling, I believed that one day I would represent India internationally. This national title is only the beginning. My ultimate goal is to compete at the World Championships,” he said.
Despite his remarkable achievement, Monojit admitted that it took time for the victory to sink in.
“After the final, I was completely blank. I couldn’t believe I had actually won the gold medal. Holding the medal at a national championship made me realise that all the hard work had finally paid off,” he recalled.
The triumph carried added significance as it came after years of missed opportunities. Although Monojit won the Assam State Arm Wrestling Championship in both 2024 and 2025, he was unable to participate in the national championships due to circumstances beyond his control. Floods disrupted his travel plans in 2024, while his board examinations prevented him from competing the following year.
“This was my first opportunity to compete at the national level. The feeling is impossible to describe because I had waited so long for this chance,” he said.
Monojit’s journey into arm wrestling began unexpectedly while he was in Class 10. Watching a local arm wrestling tournament sparked his curiosity about the sport.
“I wanted to know whether there were actual techniques involved and whether arm wrestling could be pursued professionally,” he said.
His curiosity soon developed into determination. After discovering that there were no proper training facilities in Badarpur, Monojit travelled to another town to learn the fundamentals while continuing his studies.
Unable to join a gym during his board examination year, he improvised by purchasing weight plates and building training equipment at home.
“I trained on my own at home. After my Class 10 board exams, I joined a gym for about two months before participating in my first state championship,” he said.
As he gained experience through local competitions, Monojit steadily progressed towards the national stage. However, the journey was marked by financial challenges and scepticism from many around him.
“People would ask me what would happen if I broke my hand and whether it would affect my future. Since arm wrestling is still an underrated sport and isn’t part of the Olympics, there is very little government support. Every expense, including training and travel, was borne by my family. Even during difficult times, they never stopped supporting me,” he said.
Among those who stood by him throughout his journey, Monojit credits his father as his greatest source of inspiration.
“My father has been my biggest supporter from the very beginning,” he said.
He also acknowledged the contribution of his senior athletes, who introduced him to the technical aspects of arm wrestling and helped shape his competitive approach.
“They taught me everything—from the basics to match strategy. Whatever I have achieved today is because of their guidance,” he added.
Sharing a message for aspiring athletes, Monojit stressed the importance of discipline, consistency and perseverance.
