Finishing as a runner-up at the 1986 World Armwrestling Federation’s World Championship, Amaresh Poddarhad found his calling at an early age of 22. It’s been over 30 years, yet his passion for arm-wrestling hasn’t flinched; but saying it wasn’t easy would be an understatement. Over the years, Poddar has tried a hand at countless odd jobs away from his hometown in West Bengal. The quest to earn a decent livelihood has brought the 54-year-old arm-wrestler to Visakhapatnam.
For the last two years, he has been working as a manager at Hotel Nimantran, a popular Bengali restaurant based in Allipuram . The entire hotel’s staff is from Bengal. Poddar says, “Bengalis staying in the city as well as Bengali tourists find a home away from home at Nimantran. You should see the queue during Diwali and Durga Puja!”
The respect that Poddar commands from his co-workers is what makes his job enjoyable and makes him feel at home in an alien city. Poddar says, with a tinge of pride in his voice, “The boys often say it’s their goodluck that they are working with a champion.” While Poddar is thankful for his current job, he shares, “I’m in my 50s. I shouldn’t be staying like this, away from my family. But what can I do? I have to feed my family.” He lives in a small apartment, close to the railway station, with his co-workers. Earlier this year in March, when his family visited him for a week, he had to book a hotel.
Looking Back
Hailing from a humble family that was based in Kolkata’s Dum Dum Cantonment, Poddar was the fifth of the ten siblings. His father worked as a vegetable vendor . As he grew up, arm-wrestling amongst friends became a frequent activity after school. However, circumstances made him quit school in 1980after class ten. In the next couple of years, he sold books at College Street, earning ₹6 per day.
Yet, arm-wrestling remained a passion within him as he visited local clubs and also practised it with his friends.
“It was during these days, I met my guru, Bishwanath Gosh,” says Poddar. Under his training, from 1982 - 86, Poddar rose to become an international sportsman from a district champion. Little did he know, he would be meeting his better-half at the same place where he trained.
Months after their marriage in 1985, she saw him perform at 1986 World Armwrestling Federation World Championships, and win the silver medal under 45 kg right-hand arm wrestling. Since then, she has been a strong support system.
Over the years, Poddar was blessed with a daughter and a son.
To fulfil his responsibility as a father and run the house, Poddar went wherever life took him, from Bhubhaneshwar to Ludhiana. Between 1989 to 2008, arm-wrestling took back seat, and he repaired cycles, cleaned homes and even worked as a supervisor at a construction site. But after 2009, when his children were settled, he went back to his calling. He was winning competitions across India once again. This came at a price though - lack of job security. He couldn’t participate in a competition since Ambedkar National Games 2015-16, where he came first in the under 70 kg category.
Life In Vizag
His life in Visakhapatnam is hectic. Poddar’s day starts at 10:30 am and he works till 4 pm. Then, takes a three-hour break, during which he often arm wrestles with workers in the hotel. He says, “This becomes a great practice for me and this way I do my bit to spread awareness about the sport." He resumes work again, from 7 pm to 11 pm. Every now and then, someone from Bengal recognises him and requests for a picture . Subhomoy Chattopadhyay, a frequent customer at the hotel, says, "When I learned about his achievements, I couldn't believe it was him. We should take better care of our athletes." Chattopadhyay, who weighs over 90 kgs, tried his luck and arm-wrestled with Poddar only to find his arms frozen.
Poddar no longer eats meat. He says, “Somehow I don’t like meat any more. I rarely go out for meals. I eat twice a day at the hotel.” His favourites at the hotel are aloo bhaja (potato fry), begun bhaja (brinjal fry) and moong dal. Although he doesn’t get much time from work, but he makes it a point to visit his favourite spot of Kailasagiri, at least once a month. Poddar stays connected with the sport and keeps a track of the competitions. But he cannot afford to participate in them. He says, "My parents never stopped me from playing because I'd always win. Before going to the competition, I would hammer a nail to hang the medal I was going to win. I'd like to start doing that again."
