Bilaspur's Rishika Selected for U-18 World School Games in Brazil

Bilaspur's talented wrestler Rishika has made headlines by securing a place on the Indian team for the U-18 World School Games in Brazil. Her remarkable achievement came after winning a gold medal in the 53-kg category at the recent selection trials held in Chhattisgarh. With support from state officials and the Himachal Pradesh School Sports Association, Rishika's success is seen as a source of inspiration for young athletes in the region. As she prepares for this prestigious international competition, her journey reflects the growing emphasis on sports development in the state.

By Narendra Chaudhary Sep 22, 2026, 14:41 IST

Rishika's Triumph at Selection Trials

Wrestler Rishika from Bilaspur has earned a spot on the Indian team for the upcoming U-18 World School Games, set to take place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. This achievement follows her impressive gold medal win in the 53-kg category during the selection trials conducted by the School Games Federation of India (SGFI).

The trials for various sports were held in Chhattisgarh on September 18 and 20, where a total of 15 athletes from Himachal Pradesh competed. Rishika's outstanding performance in her weight class secured her position on the national team.

Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu extended his congratulations to Rishika, highlighting that her gold medal victory has brought pride to Himachal Pradesh. He expressed his best wishes for her success as she prepares to represent India on an international stage.

कंदरौर, बिलासपुर की बेटी रिषिका ने रायपुर (छत्तीसगढ़) में अंडर-18 विश्व स्कूली कुश्ती ट्रायल में 53 किलोग्राम वर्ग का स्वर्ण जीतकर हिमाचल का गौरव बढ़ाया है।

बेटी की इस शानदार उपलब्धि पर हम सभी गर्व है।

दिसंबर में ब्राजील में होने वाली विश्व प्रतियोगिता के लिए चयनित रिषिका को… pic.twitter.com/RBzWrBv332

— Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu (@SukhuSukhvinder) September 20, 2026

Education Minister Rohit Thakur also praised Rishika for her selection, commending the efforts of the Himachal Pradesh School Sports Association (HSSA) in nurturing sporting talent among students.

Ashish Kohli, president of the HSSA and Director of School Education, described Rishika's selection as a significant achievement for the state. Santosh Chauhan, the association's general secretary, noted that the state government is committed to enhancing training facilities and opportunities for young athletes, emphasizing that Rishika's success will motivate other aspiring sportspeople in Himachal Pradesh.