Haryana and SSCB Triumph at U17 National Wrestling Championships 2026
Haryana and SSCB Claim Championship Titles
At the U17 National Wrestling Championships 2026, Haryana showcased its dominance by winning both the Women's Wrestling and Freestyle categories, while the Services Sports Control Board (SSCB) excelled in Greco-Roman wrestling.
The event took place from April 28 to April 30 in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, gathering the nation's top U17 wrestlers as part of a crucial step in the national development pathway. Over 600 competitors participated across three wrestling styles, with matches scheduled in phases.
A Significant Milestone for National Development
These championships play a pivotal 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 state teams and wrestlers, emphasizing the championship's reflection of the talent depth and grassroots strength in the sport.
Encouraging Fair Play and Grassroots Development
The WFI's initiative to prevent age manipulation and ensure that only eligible athletes compete yielded positive outcomes over the three-day event. This was evident in the diverse distribution of medals among states, with emerging regions making notable contributions. Kerala achieved a remarkable victory in the 71 kg category against a competitor from Delhi, while Telangana, Karnataka, and Jammu & Kashmir also earned medals. This trend indicates a more equitable playing field, where stricter eligibility criteria and fair selection processes are fostering opportunities and enhancing the sport's future.
Championship Winners by Category
Women's Wrestling
In the Women's Wrestling category, Kasturi Sahadev from Maharashtra clinched gold in the 40 kg division, while Haryana's Diksha, Rohini, and Nikita secured top spots in the 43 kg, 46 kg, and 49 kg categories, respectively. Haryana's strength 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 from Delhi in 53 kg and Srushti from Maharashtra in 65 kg.
Freestyle
The Freestyle events mirrored Haryana's success, with gold medals awarded to Abhinav (45 kg), Sahil (55 kg), Anuj (71 kg), and Arush Rana (110 kg). Other notable winners were Aaryan from Uttar Pradesh in 48 kg, Pranav Sudhir Ghare from SSCB in 51 kg, Anurag from Delhi in 60 kg, Pawan from Maharashtra in 65 kg, Lakshay Thakran from Delhi in 80 kg, and Deepanshu Dahiya from Delhi in 92 kg.
Greco-Roman
In the Greco-Roman category, SSCB's consistent performance across various weight classes led them to victory. 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 from Delhi, Parnam Singh from Punjab, Gourav from Maharashtra, Hamananth Vital Kempanna from Karnataka, and Rudra from Maharashtra.
Building a Strong Future for Wrestling in India
The U17 National Championships remain a crucial component of India's wrestling development, providing a structured environment to discover and train young talent. With ongoing exposure and competitive opportunities at this level, the event fortifies the pipeline for future international achievements, especially with significant global competitions approaching.