Wrestling
Neha Sangwan to lead India’s women’s wrestling team at U23 World C'ships
Three Maharashtran wrestlers secured their places in the team after a depleted field in the selection trials held in New Delhi.
Neha Sangwan to lead Indian women's team at U23 World Championships. (Photo credit: UWW)
The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) on Monday finalised the women’s wrestling squads for the upcoming U23 World Wrestling Championships in the United States, following selection trials at the Indira Gandhi Stadium in New Delhi.
The day-long trials witnessed intense competition across all ten weight categories, with grapplers from powerhouse wrestling states including Haryana, Maharashtra, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh battling for places in the national contingent.
19-year-old rising star Neha Sangwan, a former U17 World Champion, will lead the 10-member Indian women’s team in Las Vegas from October 12–18.
Senior Asian medallist Mansi Lather has also earned a place in the squad in the women’s 68kg category and is expected to be among the medal favourites.
The selection trials in New Delhi saw a depleted field in several weight categories, as many top wrestlers are preparing for the Senior World Championships trials next month.
As directed by the WFI, India will send two separate teams for the U23 and Senior World Championships. As a result, winners of the U23 trials will not be eligible to compete in the senior selection trials.
WFI President Sanjay Singh said, "The level of wrestling witnessed today at the IG Stadium demonstrates the incredible depth and strength of Indian women’s wrestling. Every bout was closely contested, proving how hard these athletes have been training."
"I congratulate all the winners and every wrestler who stepped onto the mat today. We are confident that this strong contingent will perform exceptionally well and bring glory to the country at the U23 World Championships in the USA," he added.
The athletes who secured the top position in their respective weight divisions will represent the country at the upcoming World U23 Championships, while the runner-up grapplers will join the national camp to ensure strong sparring support and squad depth.
The selected wrestlers are scheduled to assemble for an intensive preparatory camp before they depart for the international tournaments.
WFI Women's Selection Trials – Final Results
50kg: Parveen (HAR) – 1st Position | Priyanshi (MP) – 2nd Position
53kg: Sweety (HAR) – 1st Position | Doli (UP) – 2nd Position
55kg: Ahilya Shinde (MAH) – 1st Position | Kajal (HAR) – 2nd Position
57kg: Neha Sharma (DEL) – 1st Position | Simran (HAR) – 2nd Position
59kg: Komal (HAR) – 1st Position | Anjali (HAR) – 2nd Position
62kg: Neha (HAR) – 1st Position | Nitika (DEL) – 2nd Position
65kg: Vaishnavi Patil (MAH) – 1st Position | Anjali (HAR) – 2nd Position
68kg: Mansi Lather (MAH) – 1st Position | Srishti (DEL) – 2nd Position
72kg: Amruta Pujari (MAH) – 1st Position | Tanu Sharma (HAR) – 2nd Position
76kg: Diksha Malik (HAR) – 1st Position | Manisha Bhanwala (HAR) – 2nd Position