Haryana Dominates U17 National Wrestling Championships 2026 in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar
Haryana's Triumph at U17 National Wrestling Championships
Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (Maharashtra) [India], April 30: The U17 National Wrestling Championships 2026 witnessed Haryana showcasing its prowess by clinching top positions in both Women’s Wrestling and Freestyle categories, while the Services Sports Control Board (SSCB) excelled in Greco-Roman wrestling. The event, held from April 28 to April 30, gathered the nation’s finest U17 wrestlers, marking a significant milestone in the national development framework.
Over 600 competitors participated across the three wrestling styles, with matches organized in a phased manner. Haryana emerged victorious in Women’s Wrestling, accumulating 215 points, and also secured the Freestyle title with 205 points. SSCB led the Greco-Roman category with a total of 136 points. These championships play a crucial role in identifying and nurturing talent for future international competitions, including the U17 World Championships.
Sanjay Singh, President of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), expressed his congratulations to the participating state teams and wrestlers, emphasizing the championship's reflection of the talent depth within the system and the robustness of grassroots initiatives.
The WFI's efforts to combat age manipulation and ensure that only eligible athletes participate yielded positive outcomes over the three-day event. This was evident in the diverse distribution of medals among various states, highlighting the emergence of new talent hubs.
Kerala notably achieved a remarkable victory in the 71 kg category against a competitor from Delhi, while Telangana, Karnataka, and Jammu & Kashmir also made their mark among the medalists. This trend indicates a more equitable competitive landscape, where stringent eligibility criteria and fair selection processes are paving the way for a stronger future in the sport.
In the Women’s Wrestling segment, Kasturi Sahadev (MAH) secured gold in the 40 kg category, with Haryana's Diksha, Rohini (MAH), and Nikita (HAR) winning gold in the 43 kg, 46 kg, and 49 kg categories respectively. Haryana's dominance was further highlighted by multiple gold medals from Sakshi (57 kg), Manisha (61 kg), Taniya (69 kg), and Garima (73 kg). Other champions included Akshara (DEL) in 53 kg and Srushti (MAH) in 65 kg.
The Freestyle events mirrored this success, with Haryana leading the medal tally. Gold medals were claimed by Abhinav (45 kg), Sahil (55 kg), Anuj (71 kg), and Arush Rana (110 kg). Other notable winners included Aaryan (UP) in 48 kg, Pranav Sudhir Ghare (SSCB) in 51 kg, Anurag (DEL) in 60 kg, Pawan (MAH) in 65 kg, Lakshay Thakran (DEL) in 80 kg, and Deepanshu Dahiya (DEL) in 92 kg.
In the Greco-Roman category, SSCB's consistent performance across various weight classes propelled them to the top. Gold medalists included Sumit Kumar (45 kg), Yash Kashinath Kamanna (48 kg), Dhiraj Shashikant Daphale (51 kg), Prathmesh Suryakant Patil (55 kg), and Krishnraj Ingve (60 kg), along with Kunal Dagar (DEL), Parnam Singh (PUN), Gourav (MAH), Hamananth Vital Kempanna (KTK), and Rudra (MAH).
The U17 National Championships continue to be a pivotal event in India's wrestling landscape, providing a structured environment to discover and develop young athletes. With ongoing exposure and competition at this level, the event fortifies the pipeline for future international achievements, especially with significant global competitions on the horizon.