The second edition of the Arm Wrestling Tournament at Marina Park in Sri Vijaya Puram turned out to be a high-energy celebration of strength, determination, and youth engagement. Organised by the Department of Sports & Youth Affairs in association with Mr. Youday, the event drew a large crowd of spectators and featured intense matches across several weight categories for both men and women. The primary objective of the tournament was to promote physical fitness and encourage a drug-free lifestyle among the youth of Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
Held on July 26, the competition brought together aspiring athletes from across the islands, offering a platform for them to showcase their physical prowess and endurance. In the men’s division, standout performances were seen in the 45-55 kg, 55-65 kg, 65-75 kg, 75-85 kg, and 90 kg+ categories. Winners included Suresh Biswas, Hirday, Baskar Rao, Bibhuti Biswas, and Anoop N.K. In the women’s section, divided into 30–50 kg and 50 kg+ weight groups, the titles went to Nithi and Faith respectively.
The event was inaugurated in the presence of Manoj Kumar Dwivedi, Special Secretary (Science), who encouraged participants and emphasized the importance of sports as a tool for community building and personal discipline. The tournament was as much about health awareness as it was about athletic competition. The underlying message centered around drug abuse prevention and instilling confidence, particularly among young islanders.
Girls from the islands, many of whom were participating in such an event for the first time, received loud cheers and strong encouragement from the crowd. Their enthusiastic participation was one of the key highlights, indicating a positive shift in gender representation in local sports competitions. For many attendees, the event doubled as both inspiration and entertainment, drawing families, school groups, and casual fitness enthusiasts.
Director of Sports Vikram Singh, who awarded medals and trophies to winners and runners-up, acknowledged the contributions of volunteers, officials, and support staff in making the event a grand success. He reiterated the department’s commitment to organizing regular events that promote healthy lifestyles, sporting culture, and team spirit among the youth.
The event venue, Marina Park, proved an ideal backdrop for the action-packed day. With its central location and scenic surroundings, it provided a vibrant setting for the matches and the celebratory atmosphere that followed. Many spectators lingered long after the last bout, engaging in discussions about fitness, future events, and the importance of clean living.
The Department of Sports & Youth Affairs views the tournament as part of a larger outreach strategy to tackle drug abuse through meaningful community activities. By offering platforms for engagement, mentorship, and achievement, the administration hopes to foster a culture that steers youth away from harmful behaviours and toward productive, goal-driven lifestyles.
Beyond the matches themselves, the event served as a convergence point for athletes, officials, and wellness advocates. Informal workshops on nutrition, training routines, and the dangers of substance abuse were held on the sidelines, reinforcing the event’s core mission. Information pamphlets and drug awareness materials were also distributed among attendees.
As the sun set over Marina Park, the event concluded with cheers, applause, and handshakes, between competitors and supporters alike. The winners took home their medals, but the greater triumph lay in the collective energy that the tournament infused into the community. It wasn’t just about crowning champions; it was about creating healthier role models and providing alternatives to youth caught between peer pressure and lack of constructive outlets.
Encouraged by the success of the 2025 edition, the Department of Sports & Youth Affairs has committed to scaling up the tournament in coming years, possibly introducing new categories, expanding training support, and linking winners with national-level athletic bodies. The positive feedback from both participants and spectators affirms that events like this are more than competitions, they are catalysts for a better, stronger, drug-free Andaman.
