WFI announces complete Indian squad for U-17 World Championships in Baku
New Delhi, June 15
The Wrestling Federation of India on Monday announced the complete Indian squad for the upcoming U-17 World Wrestling Championships, set to take place in Baku, Azerbaijan, from July 27 to August 2.
The final contingent was officially locked in following highly competitive national selection trials across all three disciplines in Sonipat and Lucknow, ensuring the country's most promising young athletes are selected to represent the nation on the global stage.
The newly-selected contingent will head to Baku looking to continue India's stellar run and solidify the nation's status as a global heavyweight in junior wrestling. The Indian squad arrives on the back of two highly dominant international campaigns at the U-17 World Wrestling Championships, with the Women's Wrestling contingent reigning supreme in the previous two editions.
Speaking on the squad selection, WFI President Sanjay Kumar Singh stated, "These trials have showcased the phenomenal depth of our junior wrestling ecosystem. By ensuring a strictly fair and fiercely competitive selection process, we have identified the absolute best young talent in the country. I am confident this battle-ready squad will deliver outstanding results and bring glory to India in Baku."
In the Women's Wrestling division, the selection trials witnessed exceptional technical sharpness from the Haryana grapplers, who claimed first place in six out of ten weight categories, highlighted by strong performances from Diksha (43kg) and Garima (73kg). The Delhi contingent secured two spots through Kamna Babal (49kg) and Akshara (53kg), while Maharashtra's Rohini Khanu Devba (36-40kg) and Rajasthan's Sandhya (46kg) rounded out the opening squad positions.
The Men's Freestyle brackets saw fierce competition, with standout athletes from Haryana like Satinder (60kg) and Arush Rana (110kg) capturing their respective divisions. Uttar Pradesh secured two weight classes through Aaryan (48kg) and Deepanshu Khokhar (80kg), while individual athletes from Maharashtra, Delhi, and SSCB won one category each to lock in their World Championship berths.
The Greco-Roman discipline was anchored by an absolute masterclass from Maharashtra's grapplers, who claimed five top spots, including Sachin Shirole (45kg) and Rajvardhan Patil (92kg). Uttar Pradesh added two more spots, while athletes from Delhi, Punjab, and Haryana secured one top finish each to complete the national roster ahead of the team's departure for Azerbaijan.
In 2024, the women's team made history in Amman by capturing their first-ever overall team title with a massive 185 points, securing five golds, one silver, and two bronzes. They successfully defended this prestigious crown last year in Athens, anchoring a spectacular national performance that yielded nine total medals across disciplines (four golds, four silvers, and one bronze).
Entering this year's tournament with immense momentum, the 2026 squad will aim to secure a historic three-peat and keep the Champion Trophy firmly in India.
Indian Wrestling Squad & Trial Standings -- U-17 World Championships 2026
Women's Wrestling (WW)
* 36-40 kg: 1st: Rohini Khanu Devba (MAH) | 2nd: Vanshika (HAR)
* 43 kg: 1st: Diksha (HAR)
* 46 kg: 1st: Sandhya (RAJ) | 2nd: Tanishka (HAR)
* 49 kg: 1st: Kamna Babal (DEL)
* 53 kg: 1st: Akshara (DEL) | 2nd: Riya Nagar (UP)
* 57 kg: 1st: Nikita Sehrawat (HAR) | 2nd: Manya Rajput (DEL)
* 61 kg: 1st: Avanshika (HAR) | 2nd: Srushti (MAH)
* 65 kg: 1st: Antra (HAR) | 2nd: Lisa (HAR)
* 69 kg: 1st: Taniya (HAR) | 2nd: Nishu (HAR)
* 73 kg: 1st: Garima (HAR)
Men's Freestyle (FS)
* 45 kg: 1st: Hanumant Rajendra (MAH) | 2nd: Sahil (HAR)
* 48 kg: 1st: Aaryan (UP) | 2nd: Udit (HAR)
* 51 kg: 1st: Govind (DEL) | 2nd: Mukesh Yadav (UP)
* 55 kg: 1st: Prathmesh (SSCB) | 2nd: Dhanraj (SSCB)
* 60 kg: 1st: Satinder (HAR) | 2nd: Jatin Sharma (HAR)
* 65 kg: 1st: Krishan (HAR) | 2nd: Pavan Dhagude (MAH)
* 71 kg: 1st: Anuj (HAR) | 2nd: Sachin (HAR)
* 80 kg: 1st: Deepanshu Khokhar (UP) | 2nd: Lakshay Thakran (DEL)
* 92 kg: 1st: Saksham (HAR) | 2nd: Abhimanyu (HAR)
* 110 kg: 1st: Arush Rana (HAR) | 2nd: Prince Kaliraman (DEL)
Greco-Roman (GR)
* 45 kg: 1st: Sachin Shirole (MAH) | 2nd: Keshav (HAR)
* 48 kg: 1st: Avinash Chetak (MAH) | 2nd: Arjun (HAR)
* 51 kg: 1st: Dhiraj Dhapale (MAH) | 2nd: Yash Kamnna (MAH)
* 55 kg: 1st: Hariom (UP) | 2nd: Yogesh (HAR)
* 60 kg: 1st: Darpan Chaudhari (MAH) | 2nd: Dilawar Singh (HAR)
* 65 kg: 1st: Kunal Dagar (DEL) | 2nd: Surya (RAJ)
* 71 kg: 1st: Pranam Singh (PUB) | 2nd: Sameer (HAR)
* 80 kg: 1st: Suraj Sharma (UP) | 2nd: Hitesh (HAR)
* 92 kg: 1st: Rajvardhan Patil (MAH) | 2nd: Anuj Yadav (UP)
* 110 kg: 1st: Harsh Dalal (HAR) | 2nd: Rudra Niman (MAH)
— IANS
Reader Comments
The depth of talent in these age-group championships is incredible. I'm especially rooting for Diksha (43kg) and Garima (73kg) after their standout performances. The three-peat should be achievable if the girls continue their form. And men's freestyle and Greco-Roman need to step up too - let's make this a truly national success! 🔥
Good to see the selection trials being held properly. But I wish there was more coverage and support for these young athletes at the grassroots level - many of them come from small towns and villages. The medal count is impressive, but we need better training facilities and nutrition support for these budding champions. 🇮🇳
The women's team is on fire! Winning the team title back-to-back in Amman and Athens is no small feat. The fact that Haryana women bagged 6 out of 10 weight classes shows the powerhouse they've become. Also happy to see Delhi's Kamna Babal and Maharashtra's Rohini Devba in the mix. Let's bring home that three-peat! 💪
Really impressive development in Indian wrestling at the youth level. The competition from states like Haryana, Maharashtra, and Uttar Pradesh is creating a great pipeline. Also interesting to see that SSCB (Services Sports Control Board) is producing talent in freestyle. These youngsters could be future Olympic medalists if nurtured well.
The selection trials seem fair and competitive, but I hope the WFI also focuses on mental conditioning and international exposure for these youngsters before the championships
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