India Shines at 2025 U-17 World Wrestling Championship: 7 Medals Including 3 Golds, Women Wrestlers Lead the Charge
New Delhi/Athens, Aug 1 (TheTrendingPeople.com): India’s young wrestling contingent delivered a stellar performance at the 2025 Under-17 World Wrestling Championship in Athens, Greece, clinching seven medals, including three historic golds. The Indian women’s team dominated the championship, taking home six medals (2 gold, 3 silver, and 1 bronze), while Hardeep created history in the men’s category by becoming the first Indian to win gold in the heavyweight Greco-Roman style.
India’s outstanding medal tally ensured the women’s wrestling team was crowned overall champions, securing 151 points, ahead of USA (142) and Japan (113).
Women Wrestlers Power India to the Top
The gold rush began with Rachna (43 kg), who claimed India’s first gold medal of the tournament. Rachna, the reigning Asian champion, showed remarkable consistency, defeating opponents from Canada, Egypt, USA, and China with a mix of technical superiority and tactical skill. In a tense semifinal, she edged past a strong American opponent 1-1 on criteria and outclassed China’s Xin Huang 3-0 in the final.
Following Rachna’s success, Ashvini Vishnoi (65 kg) delivered a commanding performance, winning all her bouts without conceding a single point. After clinching gold at the Under-17 Asian Championship and the Asian Beach Wrestling Championship earlier this year, Ashvini dismantled her global opponents with clinical precision. In the final, she dominated Uzbekistan’s Mukhayyo Rakhimjonova 3-0, confirming her status as a world-beater.
Three Silver Medals in Close Contests
Despite strong performances, Moni (57 kg), Kajal (73 kg), and Yashita (61 kg) fell just short of the gold medal, each earning a silver.
- Moni, who had earlier defeated her Kazakh opponent in the Asian Championship final, lost the rematch 5-6 in Athens after leading for most of the bout.
- Kajal stormed through the competition with three falls and a technical superiority, but couldn’t avenge her earlier loss to China’s Wenjin Qiu in a tightly fought 5-8 final.
- Yashita made her way to the final with tactical brilliance but was outclassed by the USA’s Taina Rose Fernandez, losing 0-11 in a rare one-sided final.
Bronze Medal for Komal Verma (49 kg)
Komal Verma showed grit after an early loss to the USA’s Morgan Nicole Turner. She took full advantage of the repechage round, beating Kazakhstan’s Saniya Soltangali with a 10-0 technical superiority and then overcoming UWW wrestler Anhelina Burkina 8-3 to earn a well-deserved bronze.
Hardeep Makes History in Greco-Roman
India’s campaign was further boosted by a historic performance from Hardeep (110 kg) in the Greco-Roman category. Already crowned Asian Champion earlier this year, Hardeep became the first Indian ever to win gold in the heavyweight Greco-Roman style at the Under-17 World Championship.
He opened his campaign with clinical victories over Kazakhstan, Poland, Ukraine, and Turkey. In the final against a powerful Iranian wrestler, Hardeep held his nerve to win on criteria (3-3), marking a landmark achievement for Indian men’s wrestling. This gold surpasses India’s previous best—a silver by Raunak Dahiya in 2023.
Team India’s Performance in Numbers
| Wrestler | Weight | Medal |
|---|---|---|
| Rachna | 43 kg | Gold |
| Ashvini Vishnoi | 65 kg | Gold |
| Hardeep | 110 kg (GR) | Gold |
| Moni | 57 kg | Silver |
| Kajal | 73 kg | Silver |
| Yashita | 61 kg | Silver |
| Komal Verma | 49 kg | Bronze |
WFI Lauds Historic Performance
The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) issued a statement praising the young athletes and the coaching staff.
“This is a proud moment for Indian Wrestling. The commitment, confidence, and courage displayed by our young athletes, especially the women wrestlers, show the promising future of wrestling in India,” said a WFI spokesperson.
The WFI also acknowledged the relentless efforts of the support staff and emphasized the importance of long-term planning in developing wrestling talent across the country.
Challenges: Visa Issues Hamper Freestyle Squad
While the team celebrated its victories, there were setbacks as well. Two key Freestyle wrestlers — Saurabh Yadav (82 kg) and Arjun Ruhil (92 kg) — were unable to travel to Athens due to visa issues. Arjun, the reigning Asian Champion and a favorite for gold, was notably missed. The delay and eventual denial of visas caused concern within the Indian wrestling community, as both were expected to boost India’s medal tally.
More Medals Expected as Championship Continues
The tournament is still underway, with India’s Lacky (110 kg, Freestyle) having advanced to the final, scheduled for Saturday. Wrestling fans and officials are hopeful that India’s medal count will continue to grow in the days ahead.
Final Thoughts from TheTrendingPeople.com
India’s exceptional run at the 2025 U-17 World Wrestling Championship stands as a testament to the rising power of its youth in global sports. With the women’s team crowned world champions and history made in the Greco-Roman category, Indian wrestling has entered a golden era. These young athletes not only carried the tricolour to new heights but also inspired a generation back home. The future looks bright, and the world is now watching India’s wrestling prowess with newfound respect.