Lack of funds threatens arm wrestler Laxman Singh Bhandari's World Championship dream

NEW DELHI: Decorated arm wrestler Laxman Singh Bhandari has taken a big step towards his dream of winning a gold medal at the World Arm Wrestling Championship, after winning gold at the National Arm Wrestling Championship in Lucknow earlier this month to earn representation for India at this year's showpiece event.
The 40th World Arm Wrestling Championships are scheduled to be held in Antilya, Turkey from October 13-21 this year but without sponsorship, it looks impossible for him to participate.
Laxman, recipient of a gold medal from the Asian and World Arm Wrestling Federations for his role in promoting the sport in India, is dependent on sponsors since the Indian government has not recognised arm wrestling as an official sport. However, he says that nobody has come forward to sponsor him. Laxman has estimated the total cost for participation and preparation for the World Championship at Rs 2 lakh.
Laxman's dream is to win India a gold medal at the World Arm Wrestling Championship and he is hopeful that the Indian government recognises the oldest and highly economical sport for everyone. He wants to see the game being included the Olympics, so that he can bring laurels for the country.
It was in 1989 that Laxman, who hails from Delhi, became an arm wrestler and he started by defeating the then state champion. From there on, there has been no looking back for Laxman, who has won several medals at the state and national level and participated in two Asian and two World Asian Arm Wrestling Championships.
Laxman also serves as the General Secretary/Coach of the Arm Wrestling Association of New Delhi, Technical Advisor of the Indian Arm Wrestling Federation, and Sr. Referee, WAF. Apart from this he has a self-funded arm wrestling club namely Royal Sports Club in Punjabi Bagh where he gives free coaching and supports poor young talented youth and encourage them for better lifestyle. He has trained thousands of students till date and many of them have won the medals at the state, national and international level.