Sitender defends U17 wrestling world title as India sign off with 13 medals in Baku
Baku, Aug 3
India's freestyle wrestling contingent concluded their campaign on a highly positive note at the 2026 U17 World Championships in Baku, Azerbaijan, as three final-day podium finishes took India's overall medal tally across women's wrestling and men's freestyle to an impressive 13 medals.
The 17-year-old Sitender Malik, defending his U17 world title from 2025, squared off against Russia's Sergei Karmrian in a tense championship bout. Delivering a masterclass in composed, clinical wrestling, the young Indian secured a 3-1 victory to capture the gold medal.
This historic triumph elevates Sitender into the rarest of company. He etched his name in the history books as only the second Indian male freestyle wrestler to ever win two U17/Cadet World titles.
This feat mirrors the early career trajectory of Indian wrestling legend and two-time Olympic medalist Sushil Kumar, who won his Cadet World titles in 1998 and 1999. The second coming of such dominance at the cadet level has sent ripples of excitement throughout the Indian sporting fraternity.
In the 45kg category, Hanumant Rajendra Jadhav showcased exceptional agility and technique in his bronze medal playoff. The Maharashtra grappler dominated Iran's Mahdi Davoud Damercheli to register a comprehensive 7-1 victory.
Adding a third medal on the final day, Saksham FNU engaged in a tightly contested 92kg bronze medal match against another Iranian opponent, Mohammad Reza Behrang Isazadeh. Displaying solid defensive composure in the clutch moments, Saksham edged out a thrilling 3-2 victory on points (VPO1) to take home the bronze.
With the conclusion of the Men's Freestyle categories, the curtains have officially drawn on the 2026 U17 World Championships.
India's Final U17 World Championships Medal Tally
Men's Freestyle (FS)
Sitender (60kg) - Gold
Aaryan (48kg) - Silver
Hanumant Rajendra Jadhav (45kg) - Bronze
Prathamesh Suryakanth Patil (55kg) - Bronze
Saksham FNU (92kg) - Bronze
Arush Rana (110kg) - Bronze
Women's Wrestling (WW)
Sandhya Vishnoi (46kg) - Silver
Akshara (53kg) - Silver
Nikita Sehrawat (57kg) - Silver
Kamna Babal (49kg) - Bronze
Avanshika (61kg) - Bronze
Taniya (69kg) - Bronze
Garima (73kg) - Bronze
— IANS
Reader Comments
So proud of our young wrestlers! 13 medals is fantastic, especially with 3 golds/silvers from the women's side too. Sandhya, Akshara, and Nikita fighting hard in women's wrestling shows we're developing talent at every level. The future of Indian wrestling looks very bright indeed. ✨
Great result, but I wish our media gave these junior athletes more coverage. These kids train incredibly hard without the same facilities as their foreign counterparts. 13 medals at a world championship deserves front-page headlines, not just a small sports section mention. Our grassroots wrestling needs more investment and recognition.
As someone who follows international wrestling, this is genuinely impressive. The Baku championships had tough competition from Russia, Iran, and the traditional wrestling powerhouses. India's depth across both freestyle and women's categories is clearly improving. Sitender's composure under pressure reminds me of the greats. Well done, India!
What a brilliant campaign! Hanumant from Maharashtra and Saksham's clutch 3-2 victory in the bronze medal match show real mental toughness. And 7 medals from our women wrestlers is outstanding. These are the champions who will carry Indian wrestling forward. Jai Hind! 🏅🇮🇳
The second coming of Sushil Kumar indeed! But let's be careful with such comparisons—Sushil went on to win Olympic medals, and that's what matters at the senior level. These cadet championships are just the starting point. The real test will be how we nurture these talents for the 2030 Olympics. Let's hope the federation doesn't let them down.