KOCHI: State Arm Wrestling Champion Subair Manadath has left for Japan to take part in the 14th Asian Arm Wrestling Championship in Sendai, Japan, from June 24th to 29th.
Subair is one of four participants from India and the only one from Kerala.
He has qualified for the 100+ Masters category.
Subair has become one of the noted contenders in arm wrestling from the state in a short time of almost four years. It was a quick shift from athletics in which he was active from early school days to college.
He had been a star performer in 100 m and 200 m races and in 400m relay, participating in several inter-collegiate, district and state-level championships. His interest in hockey had took him to university-level while he was in college and had been fortunate to represent Mahatma Gandhi University on several occasions.
But, the road accident in which his right leg was injured marked an end to his athletics life and hockey for which he had won a number of accolades and mementos. The accident had prevented him from participating in weight lifting in which he had the second best preference.
However, he took to arm wrestling putting a great amount of thinking and considering advice from his well wishers.
The recent most international competition he took part was the World Arm Wrestling Championship held in Poland last September. He had managed to qualify for the third round in the championship before leaving the ground for European hefties.
“This time I will try again because I have started getting the feel of the foreign soil. It’s a matter of luck also sometimes. If I am able to get to the final round I may be able to return with a medal,” said Subair brimming with confidence.