It was a day to forget for the Indian men’s freestyle wrestling contingent at the Wrestling World Championships in Zagreb, as all wrestlers except Mukul Dahiya in action bowed out in their opening bouts.
India’s campaign on Saturday ended without a single victory, underlining both the competitiveness of the field and the challenges that still confront Indian wrestling at the global stage. The day began with Udit Singh in the 61kg category, facing Kyrgyzstan’s Zhumashbek. In what was expected to be a closely contested bout, Udit struggled to find his rhythm and conceded crucial points early on. The Kyrgyz wrestler kept the pressure steady, forcing Udit onto the defensive.
Despite a late push, the Indian could not penetrate his opponent’s defense and eventually fell to a 0–2 loss. For Udit, who had shown promise in recent Asian meets, the early exit was a setback. The 61kg division has traditionally been one of India’s stronger categories, but the defeat highlighted the gulf that remains between promising domestic performances and delivering on the senior world stage. Zhumashbek ended up losing in the next round hence ending any chances for repechage for the Indian
Mukul Dahiya Outclassed by Zahid at 86kg but gets in repechage.
Next up was Mukul Dahiya in the 86kg weight class, where he faced the experienced Zahid Valencia of the United States. From the very start, Zahid asserted complete dominance, using his superior technique and explosiveness to score at will. The American teched Dahiya with ease, ending the contest quickly and emphatically. Mukul, making his debut at the World Championships, found himself overwhelmed by Zahid’s pace and tactical variety.
The result was a harsh reminder of the standards required to challenge at the top level of middleweight wrestling, where the likes of David Taylor and Hassan Yazdani have set the benchmark in recent years. Zahid then went on to reach the finals defeating two time world champion Kamran Ghasempour from Iran letting Mukul sneak in for the repechage but a medal here with Kamran in fray is very challenging for Mukul.
Credit UWW
Of all the Indian wrestlers on the mat, Rohit in the 70kg division produced the most competitive performance. He went toe-to-toe with Uzbekistan’s Kuldashiev, pushing the bout to the very end. Rohit showed resilience and tactical awareness, but a single lapse late in the contest proved costly. Despite his efforts, he fell short by a slender 4–5 margin. The close defeat was perhaps the most painful for the Indian camp, as it came against a regional rival in a match that could have gone either way.
The loss underscored the fine margins in international wrestling, where one moment of hesitation can swing the result, particularly in tightly fought middleweight categories. Kuldashiev lost in the next round to Georgian wrestler in next round.
Heavyweight Struggles Continue: Rajat Ruhal Falls at 125kg
The final bout of the day for India saw Rajat Ruhal in the men’s heavyweight 125kg category take on Hungary’s Bajcajev. Rajat started positively, using his strength to control the early exchanges, but once the Hungarian settled into the bout, the tide turned. Bajcajev’s counter-attacks and ability to score off Rajat’s aggressive pushes proved decisive. The Hungarian pulled away in the second period, and Rajat eventually succumbed to a 2–5 defeat.
Heavyweight wrestling has long been a difficult territory for India. While light and middleweight wrestlers from India have made inroads internationally, the heavyweight category has remained an Achilles’ heel. Rajat’s loss was another reminder of the depth of work required in this division. Bajcajev then lost in the Quarterfinals ending any hopes for the repechage.
The four defeats on Saturday mean that India’s men’s freestyle wrestlers ended the day winless, with no one advancing beyond the first round. While the results were disappointing, they reflect broader issues facing Indian wrestling in the post-Paris 2024 cycle.
The Wrestling Federation of India, currently under transition and restructuring, has faced both administrative and developmental challenges. The introduction of the new governing body World Boxing–style World Wrestling (WW) replacing United World Wrestling (UWW) has also brought adjustments for athletes. At the grassroots level, uncertainty around training camps, selection processes, and exposure tours has affected preparations for marquee events. India has historically been more successful in Olympic weight categories, where wrestlers like Bajrang Punia, Ravi Dahiya, and Deepak Punia have competed.
The non-Olympic weights often serve as developmental grounds for upcoming athletes. However, the early exits this year highlight how even at these levels, the global competition is unforgiving.
For the Indian camp, the focus now shifts to the upcoming bouts in Olympic weight categories, where hopes remain high for more experienced names to deliver. Wrestlers like Aman Sehrawat, Deepak Punia, and Antim Panghal are expected to spearhead India’s medal push later in the tournament. At the same time, Saturday’s results underline the importance of sustained investment in coaching, sports science, and international exposure.
Wrestling, once India’s most consistent medal-producing sport at the Olympics and World Championships, is now facing increased competition from shooting, boxing, and badminton for international success.
For young wrestlers like Udit, Mukul, Rohit, and Rajat, the Zagreb experience will serve as a tough but valuable lesson in what it takes to compete against the world’s best. Their performances, while short of the mark, reflect the need for patience, structured development, and the right support systems if Indian wrestling is to regain its footing on the global stage.
The Wrestling World Championships 2025 began on a sombre note for India, with all four men’s freestyle wrestlers exiting in the opening round. Udit’s narrow loss, Rohit’s valiant fight, Mukul’s tough debut, and Rajat’s heavyweight struggles painted a mixed picture of potential and growing pains. While medals remain out of reach in these categories, the journey is far from over. With the Olympic weight divisions yet to unfold, Indian wrestling still has opportunities to shine.
For now, however, Zagreb has delivered a sobering reminder: the world is moving fast, and India must adapt quickly if it hopes to reclaim its place on the wrestling podium.
