Shauryaveer Yadav Makes History for Himachal Pradesh at Asian Kurash Championship

Historic Achievement in Indian Sports

Munish Sood
MANDI:
In a remarkable feat for Indian sports and the state of Himachal Pradesh, 16-year-old Shauryaveer Yadav from Dadour in Mandi has clinched a bronze medal at the Junior Asian Kurash Championship-2025, which took place in Cheongju, South Korea.

This accomplishment marks him as the first athlete from Himachal Pradesh to earn a medal at the Asian level in Kurash, a traditional martial art originating from Central Asia.

Competing in the junior boys' 90-kg category, Shauryaveer faced formidable opponents from 25 Asian nations, establishing himself as a standout competitor in the tournament. His success not only secures his place in the history books but also enhances the sporting legacy of Himachal Pradesh.

A Milestone for Himachal Pradesh

This medal signifies a groundbreaking moment, as no player or coach from Himachal Pradesh has ever represented India in an Asian Kurash Championship before. Both Shauryaveer and his coach, Virender Singh Dhaulta, have set a precedent by being part of the national team and returning with a medal.

Virender Dhaulta, a Commonwealth judo medallist and the general secretary of the Himachal Pradesh Kurash Association, served as the coach for the Indian team during the championship. Under his guidance, Shauryaveer honed his skills in Kurash and emerged as one of the sport's most promising talents.

Reflecting on this achievement, Dhaulta stated, “We aimed for gold, but an unfortunate back injury affected his performance. Nevertheless, Shauryaveer displayed remarkable determination and turned challenges into success. This bronze medal is a historic achievement for our state.”

Shauryaveer’s success is deeply rooted in a family of athletes. His father, Dr. Sanjay Yadav, is an international player and recipient of the esteemed Parshuram Award, recently honored with the State Teacher Award-2024. Additionally, his uncle, Jagdish Yadav, has won titles such as Himachal Kesari and Himachal Kumar in traditional wrestling.

A Rising Star in National Sports

This is not Shauryaveer’s first success; he previously earned a silver medal at the National Junior Kurash Championship and a bronze in wrestling at the National School Games 2025 held at Delhi’s Chhatrasal Stadium. He was also recognized as the ‘Best Player’ in Kurash during the State School Indoor Games.

His achievement has ignited celebrations within the state’s sports community. Officials and supporters view this as a pivotal moment for martial arts in Himachal Pradesh, with plans already in motion to honor Shauryaveer and coach Dhaulta at a public celebration event.