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They huffed and puffed, moaned and groaned to get their opponent’s arm to touch the pads. The evening was electrified by family and friends egging on their candidates at the third All Zoroastrian Men and Women Arm Wrestling Competition. Prizes totalling Rs 1,00,000 were promised to the winners. Held under the auspices of the Maharashtra Arm Wrestling Association (MAWA) and hosted by the Parsee Gymkhana (PG), the event was held on December 15, 2018 on the lush green lawns of PG. 
Sixty-nine (59 males and 10 females) participants from Nagpur, Poona, Surat, Navsari, Ahmedabad and Bombay vied for the top spots (in 2017, there were nine female and 40 male contestants). Men were divided into six categories and for want of more participants, women had only one group — the Open Category.

 

 

 

 

 

 

With 18 entries, the seniors’ group (18 to 40 years) was divided into two (weight wise — under 100 kg and over 100 kg). This year there was no Champion of Champions bout as MAWA reasoned that "if the previous year’s champion was to wrestle the current one, it would not be fair; the present champ would have fought many bouts and would be tired; whereas the previous champion would be fresh as he would not have fought a single bout that evening,” explained PG committee member Rustom Jasoomoney in an email to Parsiana.
At the outset the rules of the game were described to all those participating. Three of the four referees had specially come from Nagpur, Nasik and Amravati to ensure smooth flow of the game. "The drawing of fixtures, scoring, fighters’ elimination and the rating system is complicated and may lead to misunderstanding and so it was important that it be handled by professionals,” mentioned Jasoomoney. Besides the referees, there is a scorer and one official from MAWA present.
As in the past two years, a red ribbon was wound around the table which was fitted with padded elbows and touch pads with hand pegs at the sides. The red and black table has been specially crafted for this event courtesy Viraf Chiniwala of Veldon Coats. Eighty-eight-year-old Rumi Taraporevala, the oldest participant, cut the ribbon.
"Your road has just begun. You have a long way to go,” said Vahbiz Bharucha, current captain of the Indian women’s rugby team handing her bouquet of flowers to 10-year-old Ariana Parabia, the youngest participant of the event. Bharucha, who was chief guest of the evening, was particularly appreciative of the grit displayed by the Surat lass.
"Food, festivals and sporting events bring the Parsis together,” said Bharucha who was "very happy to see the crowd cheering and encouraging their friends.” The 25-year-old sportswoman started playing rugby at the age of 16 and has taken part in 14 national and 12 international tournaments which earned her the Doordarshan Sahyadri Hirkani Award in 2016 and the Phoenix Leading Lady Award in 2017. The practicing physiotherapist also mentioned that parents should encourage and appreciate the efforts their children put in when participating in sporting events.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Though the evening was a success, it did have its share of hiccups. Few disgruntled participants were unhappy with the pairing and eliminations. "The elimination process is a bit complex, particularly during the elimination bouts when two or more competitors have lost an equal number of fights,” noted Jasoomoney. Learning from their mistakes, next time this rule will be extensively explained during the pre-event briefing, he added. Since injuries may occur, paramedic staff of the Parsi Ambulance Division were on standby healing many a sore wrist or muscle pull. 
Helmed by Mehli Golvala as chairman, the Gymkhana committee starts planning the event a month to 45 days in advance. The availability of the Gymkhana ground and officials determines the date. Advertisements, posters, banners, donors and setting up the infrastructure, all have to be arranged. Jasoomoney was appreciative of the "very proactive chairman,” PG’s office staff and decorator Vivek Chappekar, all who "make my task easier.” Also assisting Jasoomoney were Khodadad Yazdegardi, Hoshang Katrak, Minoo Khan, Hamavan Shroff, Hutoxi Doodhwala, Behram Irani and Roozbeh Bulsara. Their inhouse caterer Good Food Concept provided the dinner. Without the financial support from Chiniwala, Armaity Khushrooshahi of Dunnes Institute, Khodadad Irani of Wibs Bakery and The Zoroastrian Co-operative Bank Limited who "have supported this event since its inception,” this evening would not come to fruition, noted Jasoomoney.