India’s campaign at the U23 World Wrestling Championships 2025 in Tirana began on a proud note, thanks to Vishvajit More, who continued his remarkable consistency on the international stage.
The 22-year-old Greco-Roman wrestler secured a bronze medal in the men’s 55kg category, defeating reigning Asian Champion Yerassyl Mamyrbekov of Kazakhstan in a thrilling 5–4 bout to win his second consecutive U23 World medal. With this victory, Vishvajit not only became a two-time U23 World bronze medalist, but also opened India’s medal tally for the second year in a row an impressive reflection of his steady rise in a discipline where Indian success has historically been limited.
Competing in one of the most technically demanding weight categories, Vishvajit showcased tactical maturity and defensive sharpness throughout the day. His journey to the bronze medal match was defined by resilience and strategic wrestling. He began his campaign in the Round of 32, registering a composed 6–2 win over Romania’s Mihai Popescu, using his trademark upper-body control and strong counter-defence. In the Round of 16, he completely dominated Crosby of the USA, securing a commanding 9–1 victory through two-point arm throws and par terre transitions that exposed his opponent’s defensive lapses.
In the quarterfinals, however, Vishvajit ran into stiff resistance against Amirov (UWW) a highly technical wrestler with excellent body balance. Despite an aggressive start, the Indian conceded crucial points late in the second period and went down narrowly, ending hopes of direct progression to the semifinals. But the draw worked in his favour as Amirov advanced to the final, pulling Vishvajit into the repechage. There, he made the most of his second chance, overpowering Georgia’s Kochalidze 9–1 in a clinical display of attacking intent, setting up a bronze medal showdown with Yerassyl Mamyrbekov, one of Asia’s most formidable names in the 55kg category.
The Bronze Medal Bout: Grit Over Glory
The bronze medal match was a high-intensity tactical battle. Mamyrbekov, known for his speed and explosive lifts, took an early lead, forcing Vishvajit onto the defensive. But the Indian remained composed, reading his opponent’s movements carefully and waiting for opportunities to counter. Trailing 2–4 midway through the second period, Vishvajit executed a perfectly timed arm drag to roll Mamyrbekov for two points, leveling the score and swinging the momentum in his favor. In the dying seconds, his superior body position forced the Kazakh into passivity, earning Vishvajit a decisive point to close out the bout 5–4.
The victory was not just about technical execution it was about composure, conditioning, and belief. To beat the reigning Asian champion in a tight contest highlights Vishvajit’s growing ability to handle pressure against elite opponents.
This bronze adds to Vishvajit’s growing international résumé. He had previously won bronze at the 2024 U23 World Championships, marking his first global medal. To repeat that feat in back-to-back years demonstrates not only consistency but also adaptability across tournaments and rule interpretations an essential skill in Greco-Roman wrestling, where bouts are often decided by tactical nuance rather than sheer aggression. Moreover, Vishvajit’s medal carries broader significance: it is India’s first and only medal in Greco-Roman wrestling at this year’s U23 Worlds.
In a field dominated by athletes from Europe, Central Asia, and Iran, his podium finish underscores the quiet progress being made by India’s Greco-Roman unit often overshadowed by the freestyle successes of stars like Aman Sehrawat and Deepak Punia.
What sets Vishvajit apart is his evolution as a thinker on the mat. Earlier in his career, he relied heavily on upper-body strength and clinch control. Over the past year, however, he has worked on his transitional movement, grip shifts, and counter-rolls, making him a more complete Greco-Roman wrestler. His performance against Mamyrbekov reflected this maturity no reckless attacks, no unnecessary exposure, just calm execution of high-percentage moves. His conditioning, too, was impressive; even late in the match, he maintained the same intensity and positional awareness.
This development is a direct result of improved technical training under national coach Hargobind Singh, who has emphasized the importance of tactical endurance and situational sparring. Vishvajit’s repeated success on the world stage is a validation of that long-term focus. Greco-Roman wrestling has traditionally been India’s quieter discipline, with sporadic success stories like Hardeep Singh and Sunil Kumar occasionally breaking through at the continental level. However, consistent world-level medals have been rare.
That is why Vishvajit’s achievement holds immense value it signals that India’s Greco-Roman pipeline is maturing. The young wrestler from Maharashtra has now become a beacon for the next generation, proving that with technical refinement and patience, medals in this classical style are within reach for Indian athletes.
His ability to deliver under pressure also highlights India’s improving mental preparedness a factor that has often been the difference between a narrow loss and a podium finish in global competitions. With back-to-back medals at the U23 Worlds, Vishvajit More now looks set to graduate to the senior circuit full-time. His immediate focus will be the Asian Championships and the 2026 Commonwealth Games, both crucial testing grounds before he can mount a serious challenge at the 2027 World Championships and, eventually, the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic qualifiers.
For now, though, this bronze is a reward for perseverance a reminder that consistency at age-group levels builds the foundation for future Olympic dreams. As Vishvajit stood on the podium with his second U23 Worlds medal, he did more than add another bronze to his collection; he reaffirmed that India’s Greco-Roman hopes are alive and rising.
