Arm wrestling is childs play for this physically-challenged Kerala man

For physically-challenged Joby Mathew, arm wrestling is childs play, and his final goal in life is to climb Mt. Everest and become an example to millions of people in the world.

By Juhan Samuel

Kochi, July 26 : For physically-challenged Joby Mathew, arm wrestling is child's play, and his final goal in life is to climb Mt. Everest and become an example to millions of people in the world.

Winning medals in national and international arm wrestling championships has become a normal routine for this 25-year-old.

Joby, who is 65 per cent orthopaedic-challenged, is now happy, as he will represent India at the World Arm Wrestling Championship in September in Egypt.

Born with short limbs, Joby's daily travel from his home in Adukkom village of Pala in Kerala's Kottayam District to his school and later to college where he had to use his arms extensively to walk, made them stronger or may be stronger than any other part of his body.

Joby claims that he realized his calling in life during his schooldays when he started to challenge and defeat lots of students in arm wrestling competitions.

"During my school days, I used to defeat all my schoolmates, and even seniors. To make others feel that I am not a disabled, but a normal person, I started arm wrestling as a profession," he said.

Joby has won many medals in both the disabled and normal categories in national and international meets.

Joby's friends are quite astonished at his achievements.

"We all are confident about him bringing medals from the World Championship," said Jose K, Joby's friend.

He recently won two bronze medals in the normal 52 weight category and 60 kg disabled category at the World Arm Wrestling Championship in Japan.

Joby has completed his LLB studies, and is now working as a PRO in the Social Work wing of the Rajagiri College of Social Sciences, at Kalamassery near Kochi.

The Kochi-based Women's Club of Rotary, Inner Wheels, is sponsoring his trip to Egypt.

ANI