Indian athletes show off their muscular muscles before taking part in ratch fights, as the activity becomes increasingly popular in a country whose people are fond of cricket.
Opponents compete under the floodlights, cheering on attendees, including some Bollywood stars, at the Indira Gandhi Stadium in New Delhi, as part of the Pro Banga Association, which was established in 2020.
The Indian Arm Wrestling Federation was founded in 1977, but the sport has been relaunched by Pro Banga League owners Parveen Dabas and Preeti Jahangiani, both Bollywood actors.
"Our athletes are the sons and daughters of our land. One is a government employee, another is a sports coach or mechanic," he said, adding: "They come from all walks of life, from small towns in India. That's what we love and what attracts the audience."
The winner of arm wrestling is the one who manages to stick his opponent's arm to the table (French)
Sheikh Tawhid, 23, worked as a stone polisher, mechanic and gym cleaner before achieving fame in the 90kg class.
A flattering smile and sculpted body add to the success of Sheikh Tawhid, who defeats his opponents at lightning speed, before sending kisses to many of his fans.
"Living in luxury hotels, eating fancy food and getting money is like a dream," says Sheikh Tawhid, adding that he has earned about 75,900 rupees ($<>) since the start of the competition, ten times what he had previously earned.
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"By the power of the arm"
Six teams of men and women, including people with special needs, compete, and the winning team receives two million rupees ($6,24).
The Rams Association of India saw the light of day in 2020 with matches and exhibition tournaments, but this is the first competition to be broadcast on television.
Arm wrestling became popular around the world after Sylvester Stallone's Over the Top in 1987, but in India, the mythologically rooted sport is getting a lot of attention.
Sheikh Tawhid lived in a rented room in his hometown of Aurangabad in Maharashtra, and after becoming a local star, he was able to buy a house.
"The fame I gained through arm wrestling helped me in my career as a gymnastics coach, which allowed me to earn money," he explains.
He points out that the Pro Banga Association has changed the course of this activity in India, saying, "We fly to participate in tournaments instead of traveling in train cars without prior reservation."
The success of sports tournaments allowed ordinary villagers to become stars. Another famous rams in India, Farhin Delphi, the 38-year-old mother, has moved from secret competitions in the state of Madhya Pradesh to participating in tournaments in her team's brightly coloured uniforms in front of television cameras.
Years of housework boosted the strength of Verhen Delphi's arms, which found arm wrestling a way to exert her strength.
Delphi, a part-time teacher and mother of a 17-year-old son, says, "Girls who stay at home, housewives, are more powerful because they work with arm power."
Arm wrestling has become widely popular in India (French)
Olympic dreams
Verhen Delphi, who competes in the women's over-65kg category, won the opening match by beating a 19-year-old with points from multiple encounters.
"I went to watch an arm wrestling match in my neighborhood, and people who were found strong pushed me to play this sport," Delphi says.
"In our area, wives are not allowed to leave their homes, but my husband encouraged me (...) And here I am."
Her success inspired others, she said, and she opened two gyms in her village, where the girls began training.
The Association of Professional Rams of India boasted of having foreign coaches for the six teams, mostly from Kazakhstan.
"There are a lot of people (fans of the game) in India, and a lot of people in Kazakhstan," said Yerkin Alimzanov, seven-time world champion and coach of the Association of Professional Rams in India.