Indian Wrestlers Gear Up for U23 World Championships Amid Visa Challenges
Upcoming U23 World Championships in Las Vegas
A new group of Indian wrestlers, having successfully navigated a demanding national selection process, is preparing to showcase their skills at the U23 World Championships in Las Vegas, commencing on October 12. However, delays in visa processing could potentially limit the number of participants.
Wrestling Federation of India's New Roster Strategy
The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) has implemented a strict policy this season, which involves fielding distinct teams for closely scheduled international competitions. This approach was notably applied during the recent Asian Games and Senior World trials. As a result, a completely new roster has been designated for the Las Vegas championships, ensuring that elite athletes do not compete in both senior and age-group events, thus allowing fresh domestic trial winners to take the stage.
Prominent Wrestlers and Their Aspirations
Leading the charge are Rohit (57kg) in men's freestyle, Sweety (53kg) in women's wrestling, and Vishvajit More (55kg) in Greco-Roman. This squad comprises several wrestlers eager to leverage their previous international experiences. For these young athletes, this tournament represents a vital opportunity to transition into the senior level.
Visa Issues Create Uncertainty
Despite the federation's preparations, they are facing administrative challenges. While the complete 10-member men's freestyle team has received clearance to travel, the final rosters for the Greco-Roman and women's wrestling categories remain uncertain, as several wrestlers are still awaiting their US visa approvals.
Championship Schedule Overview
The championship events will kick off with Greco-Roman matches from October 12 to 14, followed by women's competitions from October 14 to 16, and concluding with men's freestyle events from October 16 to 18.
Confirmed Indian Team Roster
The confirmed Indian squad, pending final visa approvals for Greco-Roman and women's wrestling, includes:
**Men’s Freestyle:** Rohit (57kg), Vaibhav Narayan Patil (61kg), Singh Jaskaran (65kg), Sumit Kumar Laxman Bharaskar (70kg), Adarsh Yuvraj Patil (74kg), Chandermohan (79kg), Amit (86kg), Nikhil (92kg), Shivam (97kg), Ronak (125kg).
**Women’s Wrestling:** Sweety (53kg), Komal (59kg), Mansi Lather (68kg), Amruta Shashikant Pujari (72kg), Diksha Malik (76kg).
**Greco-Roman:** Vishvajit Ramchandra More (55kg), Chetan (63kg), Sagar Singh (67kg), Sourav Rana (72kg), Karan Kamboj (87kg).