Indian Wrestlers Celebrate Success at 2026 World Championships

Indian wrestlers Neelam Sirohi and Tanu Sharma were celebrated for their remarkable achievements at the 2026 Senior World Wrestling Championships. Neelam won a silver medal in the women's 50kg category, while Tanu secured bronze in the women's 72kg category. Both athletes expressed pride in their performances and shared their aspirations for future competitions, including the Olympic qualifiers. The Indian women's team finished the championships with a total of four medals, showcasing their talent and determination on the global stage.

By Narendra Chaudhary Nov 1, 2026, 05:18 IST

Wrestlers Honored After World Championship Triumph

Indian wrestlers Neelam Sirohi and Tanu Sharma were greeted with a warm reception at Delhi Airport on Sunday, celebrating their impressive performances at the 2026 Senior World Wrestling Championships. Neelam earned a silver medal in the women's 50kg category, while Tanu brought home a bronze in the women's 72kg category, contributing to India's total of four medals at the event.

Neelam Sirohi Shares Insights on Her Silver Medal Journey

In an interview, Neelam expressed her joy over winning the silver medal for India at the senior World Championships, although she felt she could have performed better in the final due to a minor shoulder injury. "Winning the silver medal for my country is an incredible feeling. I had a slight shoulder issue during the final match, which affected my performance. I aim to improve in future competitions," she stated.

Path to the Finals and Future Goals

Neelam faced off against Japan's Yui Susaki, a former Olympic and defending world champion, in the gold medal match but lost 5-0. She began her tournament with a decisive 6-0 victory over Belarus' Natallia Varakina and advanced to the semi-finals after the top seed, Elizaveta Smirnova from Russia, withdrew due to injury. Neelam then defeated Kazakhstan's Zeinep Bayanova 7-3 to secure her spot in the finals.

Looking ahead, Neelam mentioned her focus on the Olympic qualifiers, stating, "My next goal is to prepare for the Olympic qualifiers, and then I will take it from there." She emphasized that the success of female wrestlers should not overshadow the potential of male wrestlers, expressing confidence that they would also achieve medals in future events.

Tanu Sharma's Inspiring Bronze Medal Win

Tanu Sharma claimed a bronze medal in the women's 72kg category after defeating Precious Bell, the reigning Pan American champion from the United States, with a score of 9-5. Tanu described her victory as an emotional experience, stating, "This medal is not just mine; it represents my country. The feelings I had after winning were overwhelming."

Reflecting on her match against Bell, Tanu shared that she initially led 3-0 but briefly shifted to a defensive strategy, allowing her opponent to score. She then returned to an aggressive approach to secure her victory.

Summary of Championship Achievements

The Indian women's wrestling team concluded the 2026 World Wrestling Championships with a total of four medals. Manisha Bhanwala secured gold in the 59kg category, while Neelam Sirohi and Kajal Dhochak earned silver medals. Tanu Sharma's bronze added to the team's impressive performance.