Georgia’s para-athlete wins gold at World Arm Wrestling Champ

A Georgian athlete confined to a wheelchair has proven he’s one of the strongest of them all after triumphing at the World Arm Wrestling and Para-Arm Wrestling Championship today.

Merab Dukashvili was one of hundreds of male and female athletes competing across numerous weight categories at the World Arm Wrestling and Para-Arm Wrestling Championship. 

The tournament is currently being held in Bulgaria’s southwestern city of Blagoevgrad. The competition started on October 1 and will end on October 10.

Earlier today Dukashvili, who is confined to a wheelchair after suffering spinal cancer at age 15, claimed first place in the 75kg arm wrestling section for right-handed men with disabilities. This was one of the senior categories of the prestigious tournament.

Georgia’s Merab Dukashvili photographed at the Wings for Life World Run in Georgia earlier this year. Photo from Shalika Studio.

Dukashvili is known in his home country as a multi-profile sportsperson who has tried his hand at a range of sports, including weightlifting.

Dukashvili was also Red Bull's Goodwill Ambassador and participated in this year's Wings for Life World Run in Georgia alongside other wheelchair competitors.

Previously Dukashvili was a presenter of Rustavi2 daytime program The Other Noon, and is involved in raising awareness of people with disabilities in Georgia.