Pakistani Armwrestling Stars Gear Up for Glory: Spotlight on IFA World Championships 2025 in Baku

By Pak Power Fights | Lahore, October 11, 2025

Armwrestling fans in Pakistan are buzzing with excitement as the country prepares to make its mark on the global stage. The International Federation of Armwrestling (IFA) has officially announced the 2025 World Armwrestling Championships, set to take place from October 26 to November 1, 2025, in the vibrant city of Baku, Azerbaijan. Hosted by the Azerbaijan Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness, this prestigious event promises a week of intense competition, showcasing athletes from around the world in junior, senior, masters, and disabled categories. For Pakistan’s rising stars, it’s a golden chance to wave the green flag high and bring home medals that could redefine the nation’s armwrestling legacy.

The championships kick off with team arrivals on Sunday, October 26, followed by a packed schedule of weigh-ins, seminars, and matches. Monday, October 27, features team registrations and a referee seminar at the Golden Coast Hotel, along with the IFA Congress. The real action heats up on Tuesday, October 28, at the main venue with an opening ceremony and left-hand competitions for juniors and masters. The week continues with right-hand events on Wednesday, October 29, left-hand seniors and disabled on Thursday, October 30, and wrapping up with right-hand seniors and disabled on Friday, October 31. Finals, awards, and doping controls happen daily at 3:00 PM, ensuring fair play under strict IFA rules. Teams depart on Saturday, November 1, leaving behind memories of epic battles.

What makes this event special? It’s open to unlimited athletes per nation per category, covering a wide range of age groups and weights. Juniors up to 15 (born 2010 or later) will compete in classes like -57kg for boys and -55kg for girls, while up to 18 and 21 categories go up to +86kg for men and +70kg for women. Seniors face off in weights from -52kg to +105kg, masters (born 1985-1976) from -70kg to +105kg, and even ultra grand masters (born 1955 or earlier) in +78kg. Disabled divisions include standing and sitting classes for physical impairments, visual, and hearing categories, promoting inclusivity. Medals and diplomas go to the top three in every class, with team awards based on a points system—gold worth 10 points, silver 7, and so on. Entry fees are affordable: 20-25 EUR/USD for juniors and disabled, 40-50 EUR/USD for seniors and masters, per class per arm.

Registration opens online on September 1, 2025, and closes October 10—right around now! National federations handle entries, but individuals from non-affiliated countries can join too. Visas and logistics? Reach out to jamil.bunyataliyev@gmail.com for support. With doping controls in place, it’s all about clean, hard-fought wins. This isn’t just a tournament; it’s a celebration of strength, discipline, and international unity, drawing competitors from dozens of nations to Baku’s world-class facilities.

Now, let’s shine a light on Pakistan’s contingent. Our armwrestling scene is exploding, thanks to dedicated coaches, family legacies, and unbreakable spirits. Leading the charge are three phenomenal athletes: Muhammad Noman Khan (MNK), Usman Ghani (the Top Roll Machine), and Hassan Shah. These warriors, with their clean records and killer techniques, are prime candidates to represent Pakistan in the junior and senior divisions. Trained under legends and fueled by core values like discipline, respect, and Islamic principles, they’re not just competitors—they’re mentors and symbols of excellence.

First up is Muhammad Noman Khan (MNK), the 23-year-old phenom born on January 17, 2003, who’s already a household name in Pakistani armwrestling. At 23 (as of 2025), this Urdu- and Pashto-speaking BSc student from Lahore is chasing dual-hand glory in the junior up 21 category (-70kg or -78kg). Son of undefeated master champion Kamal Khan, who’s been his coach since day one, MNK trained under ex-Mr. Pakistan Sarmad Shah for six intense months. His style? A killer mix of grip strength, wrist curls, toproll, hook, side pressure, and unbeatable endurance. He’s all about a clean game, staying true to his values.

MNK’s trophy cabinet is stacked: Runner-up at Mr. Islamabad in 2018 (both hands), junior champion and overall runner-up at Mr. Attock in 2020, overall champ at Mr. Olympia Pakistan in 2022, gold in Mr. Pak Junior (both hands) that same year, class one champion at Unique Fitness World Mr. Pak in 2023, winner of Mr. Islamabad in 2024, gold in Unique Fitness World All Pakistan (-100kg) in 2024, champ at Zarar All Pakistan Mega Event in 2025, and Mr. Punjab title winner in 2025. Head-to-head? He’s crushed foes like Shero (Karachi, 2018 right), Umar Zia (Haripur, 2019 right), Usman Ghani (Lahore, 2020 right—wait, that’s our next guy!), Bajwa Nabil (Lahore, 2021 both), Mudassar Malik (Rawalpindi, 2021-22 left), Usman Gujjer (Hassan Abdal, 2021-22 right + title), Asad Sikandar (Karachi, 2022 right), Salman Shah (Lahore, 2024 right revenge), and Haroon Khokhar (Gujranwala, 2025 right + title). Undefeated in majors, respected by ABL, PCL, Zarar Group, Lahore Beasts, and Unique Fitness World, MNK’s got a massive fanbase on YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram. His mantra? “The Code is MNK – Strength. Skill. Legacy.” What sets him apart: Dual-hand mastery, legend-trained grip specialist, clean career, and youth mentor eyeing international gold.

Then there’s Usman Ghani, the 35-year-old “Top Roll Machine” born August 2, 1990, a bachelor’s holder who’s a right-hand beast in the masters category (-78kg or -86kg). Speaking Urdu and Punjabi, this Lahore-based trainer embodies discipline and respect, trained under Faraz Saleem—the coach who’s shaped Pakistan’s armwrestling history. His focus: Grip, wrist, toproll, and endurance that wears down any opponent.

Ghani’s resume screams dominance: 30x gold medalist, 2022 Mr. Punjab title winner, 3x runner-up in Mr. Punjab overall, Lahore champion, 5x inter-universities overall Pakistan champion, and ABL league 85kg category winner. Head-to-head highlights include victories over Farhaj Farid (Islamabad, 2020 right) and Khizer (Lahore, 2022 right). Undefeated in majors, he’s revered nationwide by ABL, Zarar Group, Lahore Beasts, and PAF. With a clean record (rival claims debunked), he’s a calm, religious family man active on social media, mentoring the next gen. Quote: “Top Roll Machine 💪 Strength. Skill. Legacy.” His edge: Right-hand specialist, trainer of big names, grip endurance pro, and future international hopeful.

Rounding out the trio is Hassan Shah (full name Syed Hassan Mujtaba Bukhari), the 22-year-old dynamo born July 1, 2003, an intermediate-educated Punjabi- and Urdu-speaker gunning for senior -70kg dual-hand action. Coached by his father, national bodybuilding champ Syed Munawar Ali (2010-2013), and mentored by Usman Ghani himself, Hassan’s style mirrors the best: Grip, wrist, toproll, and endurance built for the long haul.

His achievements are fire: Gold in Mr. Punjab Senior -75kg (2022 right), Mr. Pakistan Senior -70kg (2022 right), Pak Champion -70kg (2022 both hands), Sher-e-Lahore -70kg (2023), Mr. Pak Senior -70kg (2023 right), UOL Olympiad overall champion (2024), Pak Youth Punjab Junior overall title (2024), Zarar All Pakistan Mega Event overall runner-up (2025), and Mr. Qasoor Junior overall winner (2025). Undefeated in -70kg since 2022, he’s the son of a legend, with a spotless record and shoutouts from Lahore Beasts and Zarar Group. Fans love his humility on YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram. Branding: “The Code is Hassan Shah – Strength. Skill. Legacy.” Standouts: Dual-hand champ, nationally trained, grip endurance king, clean undefeated run, and youth mentor poised for world stages.

These three—MNK’s legacy-building fire, Ghani’s machine-like precision, and Shah’s youthful dominance—could form the core of Pakistan’s Baku squad. With their family ties (Kamal coaching MNK, Munawar guiding Shah, Ghani linking them all), clean ethos, and social media savvy, they’re inspiring a new wave. Imagine them on that Baku stage: MNK’s toproll pinning foes, Ghani’s endurance grinding out wins, Shah’s hooks securing golds. The Pakistan Armwrestling Federation is rallying support, with training camps in Lahore ramping up. As registration deadlines loom, whispers of sponsorships from Zarar Group and ABL grow louder.

The IFA Worlds aren’t just about medals—they’re about unity, as seen in team classifications rewarding nations holistically. For Pakistan, it’s a shot at history, building on local successes like PPF events. Will MNK claim junior gold? Can Ghani master the masters? Is Shah the senior breakout? One thing’s sure: These athletes, with their “Strength. Skill. Legacy” code, are ready to roar. Stay tuned—Baku’s calling, and Pakistan’s answering with iron grips. 🇵🇰💪