It was a day of mixed fortunes for India at the U23 World Wrestling Championships in Novi Sad, but one that still reflected the rising depth and resilience of the country’s young women wrestlers.
With four Indian wrestlers entering the bronze medal matches (BMMs), the contingent showcased both promise and perseverance at the global stage. Among the standout performers was Nishu (WW 55 kg), who scripted one of the biggest upsets of the tournament, while Srishti (WW 68 kg), Pulkit (WW 65 kg), and Priya Malik (WW 76 kg) also stayed alive in medal contention.
Nishu’s Stunning Triumph and Heartbreaking Near Miss
Nishu’s campaign in the 55 kg category has been nothing short of sensational. The young Indian stunned the wrestling world when she defeated reigning Senior World Champion and 2022 U23 World Champion Moe Kiyooka of Japan with a spectacular pinfall victory.
Trailing 0–2 deep into the match, Nishu pulled off a stunning 4-point arm throw, turning defense into attack in one fluid motion. The move brought Kiyooka to the mat, and Nishu sealed the bout with a quick pin sending shockwaves across the arena and instantly becoming one of the talking points of the tournament. In the quarterfinals, she faced Solobchuk (UWW), securing a disciplined win to move into the semis. But in the semifinal against Turkey’s Demir, she fell short 4–6 in a tense contest. A brief lapse in defense in the final 20 seconds allowed Demir to counter and claim the narrow win.
Despite the defeat, Nishu’s creativity and technical confidence stood out particularly her gator roll improvisation, a move rarely attempted by Indian wrestlers at this level. She will now fight for bronze in what promises to be another exciting contest.
Pulkit and Srishti: Narrow Defeats, Unfinished Business
In the 65 kg category, Pulkit Kandola produced a gritty display throughout the day, combining intelligent mat control with explosive counterattacks. Her semifinal against Petliakova (UWW) was a battle of fine margins Pulkit led briefly in the first half but a challenge in the second half went against her, costing valuable momentum. Eventually, she lost 6–9 in another close bout that could have gone either way. Similarly, in 68 kg, Srishti fought valiantly but went down 6–10 to Shevchenko (UWW) in her semifinal. Srishti’s blend of defensive strength and composure had carried her through the earlier rounds, but Shevchenko’s superior par terre transitions made the difference.
Both Pulkit and Srishti will compete in their respective bronze medal matches tomorrow, aiming to finish on the podium.
In the 57 kg division, Neha Sharma had a tough quarterfinal draw, facing none other than Olympic champion Fujinami of Japan widely regarded as one of the most dominant wrestlers in the world. Fujinami was clinical, winning 10–0, but Neha’s performance ensured her a place in repechage, where she will look to bounce back. Meanwhile, Priya Malik (76 kg) will be India’s first hope in action later tonight, as she faces Jimenez Villalba of Mexico in her bronze medal match. Priya, a former U20 World Champion, has already built a reputation for her physicality and tactical nous and will be eager to add another international medal to her growing résumé.
While India endured heartbreaks in three semifinals, the overall narrative was far from disappointing. Four wrestlers reaching medal rounds at the U23 World Championships underlines the progress of Indian women’s wrestling at the developmental level. The ability of wrestlers like Nishu to upset world champions and others like Pulkit and Srishti to hold their own against European heavyweights reflects both the expanding technical base and mental toughness among India’s young women athletes.
As India heads into the bronze medal matches, the focus will be on execution under pressure. Nishu, Pulkit, Srishti, and Priya each have the opportunity to turn near-misses into podium finishes and, in doing so, script one of India’s strongest U23 performances in recent memory.
Regardless of the outcomes, the performances in Belgrade have once again highlighted India’s growing presence in women’s wrestling not just as competitors, but as genuine medal contenders on the world stage.
India’s Medal Contenders at U23 World Championships:
- WW 55 kg: Nishu – Bronze Medal Match vs Demir (Turkey)
- WW 65 kg: Pulkit – Bronze Medal Match vs Petliakova (UWW)
- WW 68 kg: Srishti – Bronze Medal Match vs Shevchenko (UWW)
- WW 76 kg: Priya Malik – Bronze Medal Match vs Jimenez Villalba (Mexico)
A day of grit, controversy, and courage India’s U23 women have made sure the tricolour stays in the medal conversation till the very end.
