Arm-Wrestling Association of Malawi (AWAM) has set up an open tournament in Lilongwe to identify athletes that will contest at the Africa Arm Wrestling Championship in Ghana in April this year.
Secretary General for AWAM, Alex Henry Sakala, said the open tournament will be held on 28 February, 2026 and is also aimed at promoting sportsmanship, physical fitness and community engagement.
Sakala said this is the association’s first tournament despite having several clubs that are based in fitness gyms.
“The event is free of entry and a registration fee of K10,000 and prizes include medals and AWAM membership for all categories,” he said.
So what is so special about this event?
“It is a test of strength, endurance and technique between two opponents who face each other with their bent elbows on a table and hands firmly gripped, trying to force the opponent’s hand down to the table top. It also helps in self-defence during attacks,” Sakala said.
Locally, the sport is affiliated with the Malawi National Council of Sports and internationaly it is registered with the Africa and World Armwrestling Federations.
In January, the Africa Armwrestling Federation, through a statement, announced that Ghana will host the continent’s premier armwrestling event, the 15th African Armwrestling Championship “Accra 2026” from April 29 to May 3, 2026.
The sport dates back to ancient Japan, with evidence of it from the 1700’s and it is recorded in writing as early as the 8th century.
