Asian Wrestling C'ship: India win 2 gold medals in women's wrestling in Vietnam
New Delhi, May 30
India's young wrestlers delivered a strong showing in the women's wrestling events at the U17 Asian Wrestling Championships in Da Nang, Vietnam, securing two gold, two silver, and one bronze medal on the day.
Diksha (43kg) led the charge with a dominant run, defeating Asangaryeva (Kyrgyzstan) 6-0 in the final to clinch gold. She had earlier outclassed opponents from Kyrgyzstan (8-0) and Vietnam (10-0) en route to the summit clash.
In the 73kg category, Garima produced an attacking masterclass to overpower Namuuntsetseg Batbold (Mongolia) 18-6 in the final and secure India's second gold medal.
India added two silver medals through Nikita (49kg) and Antra (65kg). Nikita went down 2-10 to Yuan Yuting (China) in the final, while Antra lost 0-5 to Siyu Wei (China) in her gold medal bout after an impressive run that included a hard-fought semifinal win over Japan.
Sakshi (57kg) claimed India's lone bronze of the day, bouncing back from a narrow semifinal defeat to beat Arina Kuanyshova (Kazakhstan) 10-0 in the medal playoff.
India's continued success at the age-group level underlines the depth of emerging talent in women's wrestling, following the country's strong performance at the U23 Asian Championships earlier this week.
In that event, the Indian men's freestyle wrestling team was crowned the undisputed champions at the U23 Asian Wrestling Championships in Da Nang, Vietnam, lifting the Team Championship Trophy with a spectacular first-place finish. India dominated the freestyle standings to claim the top spot ahead of powerhouse nations Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan, who finished second and third, respectively.
This historic freestyle victory capped off a sensational continental campaign for the entire Indian contingent, which amassed a staggering total of 27 medals, comprising eleven gold, seven silver, and nine bronze, across the Freestyle, Women's Wrestling, and Greco-Roman categories.
India's women wrestlers were equally dominant throughout the tournament, delivering an exceptional performance to capture ten medals. The women's contingent brought home a remarkable six gold medals, with Muskan (53kg), Tapasya (57kg), Bhagyashree (62kg), Pulkit (67kg), Mansi (68kg), and Kajal (76kg) all showcasing their technical superiority in their respective title clashes. Neha (59kg) and Sweety (50kg) fought valiantly to secure silver medals, while Amruta (72kg) and Ahilya (55kg) finished their campaigns on the podium with bronze.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Great results but we need to ask - where is the support from the government and wrestling federation for these young athletes after the medals? Many wrestlers from smaller towns struggle without proper facilities. The talent is there, but the system needs to back them up consistently. Still, very proud of Diksha and Garima! 👏
Impressive performance by the Indian contingent! 27 medals at the U23 level is extraordinary. The depth in women's wrestling especially is remarkable. Coming from the US, it's inspiring to see how India is developing such strong wrestling programs at the grassroots level. Well done!
This is fantastic! But sometimes I feel we celebrate too much and don't invest enough. These girls won gold in Vietnam, but what about next year's World Championships? We need long-term coaching, nutrition, and mental health support. Still, today is about celebrating Diksha, Garima, and the entire team. Outstanding work! 🥇
Incredible achievement by the Indian wrestlers! The men's freestyle team winning the championship trophy ahead of traditional powerhouses like Kyrgyzstan is a big statement. And the women with six golds - that's dominance. Congratulations to the entire contingent! 👏👏
So happy to see our young girls shining! Diksha's 6-0 win in the final shows she was in a different league altogether. And Garima with an 18-6 attacking display - that's the kind of aggressive wrestling we need. These are the stars who will represent India at the Olympics in a few years. Well done, girls! 💪
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.