At the age of 55, an upper primary school teacher from Kerala is on a winning spree, defeating her opponents in arm wrestling at national and international events. Alphy Varghese of St Gregory UP School, Kuzhupilly in Kerala is proving that age is no barrier to pursuing one’s dreams. She has embarked on an extraordinary journey, taking up arm wrestling—a sport that demands exceptional strength and endurance.
It was her deep passion to chase her dream of becoming a sportsperson that motivated her to get into arm wrestling, though she started with hammer throw in the masters category. “I got tremendous encouragement from my husband Varghese and my children – Elvin Varghese and Ashley Teresa, when I decided to step into the unfamiliar world of competitive arm wrestling. I started training under my coach Jeemon Panakkal, who gave me confidence to do it after noticing my strength and power,” Alphy teacher told “Open Digest“.
She soon committed herself to rigorous training, spending hours each day building her muscle strength and perfecting her technique under the guidance of her coach. Her dedication paid off as she began competing in local tournaments, quickly making a mark with her perseverance and skill.
Though a shoulder injury threatened to derail her dream after doctors advised her to give up arm wrestling, she wasn’t ready to give up.
“Doctors advised me, warning of potential long-term damage. I couldn’t let my dream end there. The thought of giving up was more painful than the injury itself. I went for a rehab programme and started training again,” she said.
Through months of physiotherapy, mental fortitude, and sheer willpower, she not only overcame her injury but returned stronger than ever. Defying all odds, she went on to secure medals in subsequent competitions, cementing her status as a role model for perseverance and grit.
She won her first gold medal in 2022 at the Grand Masters National Meet and later silver and bronze at the World Arm Wrestling Championship held in Moldova in 2024.
Alphy teacher has set up a small gym in her house’s backyard to continue her strict training regimen. Her dedication to her training is an inspiration to her colleagues and students as she carries a dumbbell with her all the time and weight trains whenever she gets free time. She also follows a strict protein-rich diet for muscle building and strength.
“I am looking forward to putting up a good fight in the national and international events lined up in 2025,” she adds.
