Sports Trumpet exclusive interview with Pro Panja star

Pro Panja winner Chetna Sharma speaks about the hardships she’s faced, before going on to win the PPL.

Chetna has had a glorified career in the field of Arm Wrestling but, it’s not always been easy. To go along with the Pro Panja title, she’s also won nationals and state level tournaments.

The journey has not been easy for her but she has managed to power through. Along with being an arm wrestler, Chetna is also a software engineer, working for a department of Assam Police.

Despite the slow start, she has won almost everything and now has eyes for the World Championship Trophy.

First up, she speaks about how she came in to the field of arm wrestling

“To be very honest, it was my husband, who encouraged me to choose the field of arm wrestling. I started to enjoy, once i began playing, hence I decided to stick to it. Now, this has become a part of my life and I cannot think of a single day passing without arm wrestling. As of now, there are not thoughts of leaving arm wrestling.”

“During my schooldays, I knew about “panja”. I used to participate, sometimes I won, sometimes I lost. But, I did not know this sport was played on a competitive level as well. I did not know about district level, state level, national level or even the world level championships. I got to know about these tournaments from my husband, when he was my friend,” added Chetna.

Next up, she speaks about the how she is able to manage office work, gym training and pursuing arm wrestling.

“Actually, it has been very difficult for me to manage all these properly. In the beginning, not many at my work place knew that I competed in arm wrestling. But now, the word is spreading and my colleagues now know about my career in this field. So now, when I ask for an off, they do give me a 2-3 day off. But, if it is a long tournament, that is around 8-9 days, I do my work either before I leave or once I come back. Somehow, I am able to manage this.”

Chetna also revealed that the “work from home” concept was not adapted in her city and as a result, she had to go to work, even during the lockdown.

“Actually, we did not get the benefits of “work from home”. Barring a 2 month period, the offices were open and we had to go there to complete our pending work. We could take a day’s gap within a 3 day period, when the COVID 19 cases were rising but, there was no work from home as such over here.”

Not many know that it took Chetna a period of time, before she got her first win. She shares how she felt and what her thoughts were, before and after that elusive first win.

“My first win was in 2012-13 in the month of August. I was on cloud nine after my first win, because it took me almost 2.5 to 3 years of non stop practice to get that win. In fact, I was getting very demotivated and was in a dilemma of whether to continue with Arm Wrestling or not. So, it was a timely win as now looking back at it, things would have been different for me, had I not won.”

“After the win, I felt positivity running through me. That first win changed my fortune and after that I continued winning. Now I have won a lot and I hope I continue winning.”

“My first win was, is and will always stay in my memory. It was after a long span of time that I got my first win.”

“My longest winning run was in 2019 in National Championship. I was unbeaten on day 1 with my left hand, unbeaten on day 2 with my right hand and also won the champion of champions at the Nationals. I became Miss India Arm Wrestling champion that day. So, as such I do not remember my longest winning streak but, 2019 was my most successful year.”

During the COVID 19 period, Chetna shares how her friend helped her train in the gym.

“So basically during the lockdown period, gyms had to be shut. As a result, I had to lean towards home workout more. At my place, we already have a bar, some dumbbells and other things so I could train using this. Along with this, there’s a friend of mine who owns a gym. So we used to tell them to open the gym and let us in. We(me and my husband) asked them to keep the lights off as it is a curfew time. Like this, we secretly used to go to the gym and train, because when the game day arrives and we have not been training, it’s tough to compete.”

Lastly, she has an inspiring message for the upcoming generation, interested in pursuing Arm Wrestling.

“So my message to everyone, especially women, is that when you’ll go to compete for the first time, more times that not you are going to lose. Do not get disheartened by this, learn from such experience. I myself lost continuously 2.5/3 years. Do not give up, keep on trying and then once you start winning, not many can stop you. The key to winning is NOT GIVING UP,” signed off Chetna.