Shillong, Oct 20: Margaret Pathaw, Meghalaya’s arm-wrestler, shined at the international stage as she clinched the gold medal in the first round (Left category) of the 43rd World Arm-wrestling Championship in Turkey.
Pathaw bagged the gold in 60 kg (left hand category) on Wednesday afternoon going against Anna Santos of Brazil.
In the first round, two other Meghalayan arm wrestlers clinched two more medals in the left hand category. Angel Merry Mylliem Umlong bagged the bronze medal and Alexander Lyngdoh won a silver medal.
The 9 Meghalayan arm wrestlers representing the Country in Turkey are: Alan S Marbaniang, Kishore Chettri, Everson Thangkhiew, Angel Merry Mylliem Umlong, Airikymenlang Lyngdoh, Margaret Pathaw, Alexander Lyngdoh, Hubert Paliar, and Banshan Terang.
“It is a completely different atmosphere compared with that in our state or in the country, the management is top notch, the organisers, the stage, the food…everything is of a different level,” said Alan S Marbaniang over a telephonic conversation with Hub News.
“At first we were a little concerned as the other players from other countries, especially European countries, have better physique than most of us Khasi…but that did not put us in a disadvantage, we are proud to have bagged three medals, that too in just the first round,” added Alan.
“I have been telling everyone to play with all our hearts out, win or lose it doesn’t matter.. What matters is the lesson we take from here. I, being a trainer, have gained a lot from this championship and with this knowledge I will try to educate my trainees back home,” he further said.
Alan and five others – Everson Thangkhiew, Angel Merry Mylliem Umlong, Margaret Pathaw, Alexander Lyngdoh and Hubert Paliar were scheduled to compete on Thursday.
