DUSHANBE, September 15, Asia-Plus -- The Fifth Asian Armsports Championships started in the building of the Dushanbe Circus today.

The competition brought together some 270 athletes from 12 countries across the world, including  India, Iran, Pakistan and others. 

 Nadirkhan Darigi, the head of Tajikistan’s Armsports Federation, said Willie Diniamoster (phonetically spelled), Secretary General of the World Armsports Federation, the Asian Armsports Federation head Muhammad Akzamov and Kazakhstan’s Armsports Federation head Vladimir Dreksler had arrived in Tajikistan to attend the competition.  “Mr. Diniamoster yesterday conducted a seminar for referees,” Darigi said.  

According to him, the competitions are being conducted among several categories: youth; adult athletes, veterans; as well athletes with disabilities.  All in all, athletes participating in the Fifth Asian Armsports Championships are competing for 76 medals. 

The competitions run through September 16.    

Armwrestling - the game of testing arm strength and skill is now one of the world''s major sports.  While nearly everyone on earth understands the sport of armwrestling, it is the World Armsports Federation that has given armwrestling a set of rules, a constitutional shape, and a vibrant everyday life. Armwrestling as an organized sport got its start in the United States through the efforts of WAF Founder, Bob O''Leary, in the early 60''s.  Today, the WAF has over 70 member nations on its rolls, Continental Federations established on each continent, and a prestigious World event hosted each year in a different country.