In the world of Indian armwrestling, Siddharth Malakar is one of the towering figures. A qualified physiotherapist with a full-time practice, Siddharth has also carved out a fearsome reputation at the armwrestling table, winning multiple state and national titles over the past few years.
Now, as the second season of the Pro Panja League gears up for its much-anticipated premiere on Sony Sports Network from August 5, Siddharth is set to enter the national spotlight once again.
The Sports India Show team had the opportunity to chat with Siddharth Malakar ahead of Season 2 to talk about his preparations.
“I spend my mornings helping people recover movement, and my evenings trying to pin down some of the strongest athletes in the country,” laughs Siddharth in a conversation with Sports India Show team from his clinic in suburbs of Guwahati.
For Siddharth, armwrestling isn’t just a hobby, it’s a second profession. “It started as a passion in college,” he recalls. “A friendly match in the hostel turned into a weekly event, and before I knew it, I was training seriously and entering competitions.”
That “casual” start has led to an impressive résumé, including several state championships and podium finishes at the national level.
His background in physiotherapy gives him a unique edge on the table.
“I understand body mechanics, joint angles, muscle recovery, that helps me train smarter,” Siddharth explains. “Many people overtrain or ignore key muscles like the rotator cuff or wrist extensors. I make sure everything is balanced and bulletproof.”
When asked whether his profession influences his approach to competition, Siddharth smiles: “Absolutely. Injury prevention is my top priority. I want a long career, not just a few moments of glory.”
This season, Siddharth will be representing Kiraak Hyderabad franchise of the Pro Panja League. In Season 1, Siddharth Malakar went on an absolute tear losing only once in 5 matches. In the four matches that he won, he didn’t even lose a single round and went on to clean sweep all his opponent. His only loss was to Kyle Cummings, where the margin of loss was 3-7. However, he has shrugged off sole loss from Season 1 and is gearing for a stronger comeback in Season 2.
“Pro Panja is something we all dreamed of. It’s the pinnacle of the sport of Armwrestling around the world. Never in my woldest dream did I think that I will be competing on National television,” he says.
He’s been training rigorously for months. “Every rep in the gym, every sparring session, it’s all building up to this. I’m not just representing myself — I’m representing physiotherapists, small-town athletes, and everyone juggling work and passion.”
When asked what keeps him going, Siddharth pauses before answering.
“I want to be an example. You don’t need to give up your career to chase your dreams. You can do both. It’s about discipline, time management, and love for what you do.”
Watch Siddharth Malakar and other top athletes compete in Pro Panja League Season 2, starting August 5th, only on Sony Sports Network.
