Indian-origin arm wrestler clinches gold at Arnold Classic championship

A New Zealand based Indian-origin player has won a gold medal in the middleweight division of arm wrestling at the Arnold Classic championship held at Melbourne.

Anmol Sandhu

Anmol Sandhu (M) on the winners podium at Arnold Classic Championship 2018 Source: Supplied

It is an inspirational tale of a young man’s determination to carve out his destiny in a sport that sadly lags behind in the popularity charts.

Anmol Sandhu is New Zealand’s National Heavyweight Arm Wrestling Champion.

Sandhu recently clinched gold in arm wrestling division at Arnold Classic championship held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre on March 18, 2018.

“It was a great win and I am very happy for this achievement. I remained undefeated in all eight matches I played at the championship,” Sandhu said in an interview with SBS Punjabi.

“It is always fun playing at Melbourne. This was my second year at the championship and I loved every aspect of the game.
Anmol Sandhu
Arm-wrestler Anmol Sandhu with one of his winning trophies Source: Supplied
Anmol Sandhu told SBS Punjabi that arm wrestling is a combat sport that involves two players who are generally equipped with a combination of strength, endurance, resistance and technique.

“It is shear hard work. I do resistance and functional training almost seven days a week,” he says.

“Diet and exercise plays a crucial part in arm-wrestler's life.

“Confidence and positive thinking are the key elements to win championships.

“I began power-lifting at the age of fifteen and never looked back.

“Arm wrestling is not very popular. But it can help gain honour and confidence as long as you are a serious contender who is willing to hone the craft further.
Anmol Sandhu
Anmol Sandhu competing at the NZ Fitness & Health Expo, Auckland. Source: Supplied
Sandhu moved to Auckland along with his family in 2015.

More recently, he became one of the few young fitness trainers who have accreditation with the American Counsel of Certified Trainers.

Two years back he became India's youngest arm wrestling ‘champion of champions’ by winning both junior boys and senior men categories. 

While eyeing international glory, he was the youngest to have conquered such leagues in India and to have the national title under his belt.
Anmol Sandhu
Anmol Sandhu is seriously considering a career in modelling and film industry. Source: Supplied
The Arnold Sports Festival is Australia’s largest fitness expo and multi-sport festival with over 40 different sporting events and activations, over 10,000 professional and amateur competitors, and over 60,000 visitors attending the three day schedule.

The festival aims to encourage people of all ages and abilities to take part in sport and activities that promote fitness health and well-being.

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2 min read
Published 21 March 2018 2:55pm
Updated 22 March 2018 8:05am
By Preetinder Grewal


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