At the age of 23, Syekh Tauhid worked as a mason, mechanic and gym cleaner before finding fame competing in the PPL in the 90kg category. His charming smile and well-built body added to the success of Sheikh Tauhid, who defeated his opponents with quick punches, before blowing kisses to his many fans. “It’s a dream to live in a luxury hotel, eat well and have money,” he told AFP, adding that he had earned around 75,000 rupees (792 francs) since the competition started, ten times more than his previous earnings.

Six teams, consisting of men, women and people with disabilities, competed. The winning team in Sunday’s final will receive 2 million rupees (21,124 francs). Like other telecrochet and reality shows, Liga Panja features characters from working-class backgrounds, who often owe their strengths to a life of hard work.

With wrist strength

Sheikh Tauhid lives in a rented room in his hometown of Aurangabad in the state of Maharashtra. After becoming a local star, he was able to buy a house. “The fame I earned through arm wrestling helped me in my career as a gymnastic coach, which allowed me to earn some money,” he explains.

PPL owners believe in the growing popularity of arm wrestling throughout the country. This sport, which has roots in Hindu mythology, is highly respected and the success of sports leagues has allowed simple villagers to become stars. “Pro Panja has changed arm wrestling,” said Syekh Tauhid. We fly to the tournament instead of traveling in a train car without a reservation.”

Another PPL figure, Farheen Dehalvi, a 38-year-old mother, went from a local competition in Madhya Pradesh state to a televised tournament wearing her team’s brightly colored bibs in front of television cameras. Years of household chores have strengthened the arm of Farheen Dehalvi who has found a way to exercise his strength in arm wrestling. “The girls who stay at home, the housewives, are stronger because they work the wrists,” said Ms Dehalvi, a part-time teacher and mother of a 17-year-old son.

“My husband encourages me”

Farheen Dehalvi, who competes in the women’s over 65kg category, started her career watching arm wrestling matches in her neighborhood. “People think I’m strong and encourage me to practice this sport,” he said. In our area, daughters-in-law are not allowed to leave their homes, but my husband encourages me (…). And here I am.”

Her success has inspired others, she says, and two gyms have opened in her village where girls have started training. The PPL boasts of having foreign coaches for six teams, mainly from Kazakhstan, and dream of one day taking the sport to the Olympics.