It was a historic night for Indian women’s wrestling in Belgrade, Serbia, as the nation’s U23 contingent delivered its finest-ever collective performance at the U23 World Wrestling Championships 2025.
Four Indian wrestlers Pulkit (65kg), Neha Sharma (57kg), Nishu (55kg), and Srishti (68kg) — won bronze medals, while Sarika (59kg) and Hansika Lamba (53kg) stormed into the finals, ensuring at least two silver medals for India.
With six medals (4🥉 + 2🥈 assured) and a cumulative 115 team points, India has already surpassed its previous U23 Worlds performance, placing itself firmly in contention for a team medal an achievement that would mark a new milestone in Indian women’s wrestling history.
Pulkit’s Power Performance Secures Bronze in 65kg
In the 65kg category, Pulkit produced a determined and technically rich display to clinch bronze, defeating Eniko Elekes (HUN) 8–4.
Pulkit’s campaign reflected both stamina and tactical clarity:
- R16: Beat Maria Sawiak (CAN) 10–0
- QF: Beat Beyza Nur Akkus (TUR) 18–8
- SF: Lost to Elizaveta Petliakova (UWW) 6–9
Her attacking style, built around constant pressure and leg sweeps, helped her dominate early rounds. Despite a narrow semifinal defeat, she regrouped impressively in the bronze medal bout, staying composed against Elekes to bring home India’s third bronze of the night.
Neha Sharma Repeats Her Brilliance with Another Bronze (57kg)
Neha Sharma, who won bronze at last year’s U23 Worlds, repeated her feat with another clinical performance in the 57kg category. She defeated Roza Szenttamasi (HUN) 5–0 in a one-sided bronze medal match that highlighted her superior mat control and counter-wrestling.
Her journey showcased exceptional consistency:
- R32: Beat Georgina Lirca (ROU) 6–0
- R16: Beat Nilufar Raimova (KAZ) 5–0
- QF: Lost to Olympic champion Akari Fujinami (JPN) 0–10
- Repechage: Beat Yifan Tang (CHN) 10–0
Neha’s ability to reset after the Fujinami loss and dominate her repechage rounds underlined her mental toughness. Back-to-back U23 World medals now cement her as one of India’s most consistent performers on the global circuit.
Nishu Stuns the Field in 55kg with Grit and Precision
The revelation of the night was Nishu, who capped off a dream run with a bronze medal in the 55kg category, defeating Albina Rillia (UKR) 3–1. Her performance against 2024 Senior World Champion Moe Kiyooka (JPN) in the opening round a 6–2 victory set the tone for her campaign.
- R16: Beat Moe Kiyooka (JPN) 6–2
- QF: Beat Solobchuk (UWW) 10–1
- SF: Lost to Demir (TUR) 4–6
- Bronze: Beat Albina Rillia (UKR) 3–1
Nishu’s mat intelligence, defensive balance, and control under pressure marked her as one of India’s most promising new-generation wrestlers.
Srishti Adds Fourth Bronze of the Night in 68kg
Rounding off India’s bronze medal streak was Srishti, who defeated Karolina Pok (HUN) 6–1 in commanding fashion to win bronze in the 68kg category. A former Cadet and Junior World medalist, Srishti showcased both aggression and composure across her bouts:
- R16: Beat Angelina Toddington (CAN) 12–2
- QF: Beat Manola Skobelska (UKR) 6–3
- SF: Lost to Alina Shevchenko (UWW) 6–10
- Bronze: Beat Karolina Pok (HUN) 6–1
Srishti’s medal continues her steady transition from age-group excellence to senior-level consistency. Her strong par terre defense and upper-body strength proved decisive in the medal bout, giving India its fourth bronze medal of the night and sixth overall tally.
Sarika and Hansika March into Finals, Eye India’s First U23 Golds
Adding to the night’s success, Sarika (59kg) and Hansika Lamba (53kg) stormed into their respective finals.
Hansika crushed Jaume Soler (ESP) 11–0 in the semifinals and will now face Haruna Morikawa (JPN), a former U20 Worlds silver medalist, in the final. Sarika outclassed Padoshyk (POL) 12–6 to reach the final, where she meets Ruka Natami (JPN), a former U23 Worlds silver medalist.
Both wrestlers have looked technically sound and tactically aware, offering India a genuine shot at its first-ever U23 women’s world title.
Indian performance today
| Wrestler | Weight Category | Medal | Key Win |
| Pulkit | 65kg | 🥉 Bronze | 18–8 vs Beyza Nur Akkus (TUR) |
| Neha Sharma | 57kg | 🥉 Bronze | 10–0 vs Yifan Tang (CHN) |
| Nishu | 55kg | 🥉 Bronze | 6–2 vs Moe Kiyooka (JPN) |
| Srishti | 68kg | 🥉 Bronze | 6–1 vs Karolina Pok (HUN) |
| Sarika | 59kg | 🥈 (Finalist) | 12–6 vs Padoshyk (POL) |
| Hansika Lamba | 53kg | 🥈 (Finalist) | 11–0 vs Jaume Soler (ESP) |
Team India’s Best-Ever U23 Worlds Campaign
With seven medals already secured and 115 points accumulated, the Indian women’s team is currently placed among the top three nations in the overall standings behind Japan and Ukraine. A medal in the team classification would be historic, highlighting the rise of India’s women wrestlers as a dominant force in global age-group competitions.
The night in Belgrade will be remembered not just for the medals, but for what it represents depth, discipline, and belief in a new generation of Indian wrestlers ready to take on the world.
Seven medals and counting, India’s U23 women are rewriting history.
