India’s young wrestlers made a strong start at the U17 World Championships in Baku, winning five medals. Aaryan claimed silver, while Prathamesh and Arush secured bronze in men’s freestyle. Women wrestlers added more medals, strengthening India’s impressive campaign
Published Date – 2 August 2026, 12:05 AM
Baku: India’s freestyle wrestling contingent opened its account on the fifth day of the 2026 U17 World Championships in Baku, Azerbaijan, securing one silver and two bronze medals across the 48kg, 55kg and 110kg weight categories.
In the 48kg division, Aaryan delivered a strong campaign to reach the gold medal bout. Facing Kazakhstan’s Bakdaulet Agabek in the championship final, Aaryan battled hard but ultimately suffered a 0-10 defeat, earning a well-deserved silver medal for India.
In the 55kg category, Prathamesh Suryakanth Patil bounced back impressively in the bronze medal playoff. Displaying excellent technical control, the Indian grappler overpowered USA’s Chase Karenbaur to secure an 8-0 victory, claiming a place on the podium with a bronze medal.
India added a third freestyle medal in the heavyweight 110kg category through Arush Rana. The Indian wrestler, who recently won gold at the U17 Asian Wrestling Championships, showcased his dominance in the bronze medal bout against Kazakhstan’s Sagyndyk Temirgaly. Maintaining control throughout the contest, Rana secured a comprehensive 9-1 points victory (VPO1) to take home the bronze.
The U17 World Championships will conclude on Sunday, with Indian grapplers set to compete for podium finishes in the remaining men’s freestyle categories: 45kg, 51kg, 60kg, 71kg and 92kg.
India’s women wrestlers also continued their strong showing at the 2026 U17 World Championships, adding two silver and two bronze medals to the national tally across four podium bouts.
In the 46kg category, Sandhya Vishnoi put together an impressive tournament run to reach the championship final. Facing Japan’s Kokona Makino in the title clash, the Indian grappler fought hard but eventually suffered a 2-13 points defeat, finishing second on the podium with a silver medal.
India’s U17 World Championships Medal Tally
Men’s Freestyle (FS) – 3 medals
Aaryan (48kg) – Silver
Prathamesh Suryakanth Patil (55kg) – Bronze
Arush Rana (110kg) – Bronze
Women’s Wrestling (WW) – 7 medals
Sandhya Vishnoi (46kg) – Silver
Akshara (53kg) – Silver
Nikita Sehrawat (57kg) – Silver
Kamna Babal (49kg) – Bronze
Avanshika (61kg) – Bronze
Taniya (69kg) – Bronze
Garima (73kg) – Bronze
