India’s Greco-Roman wrestling team had a mixed day at the Ulaanbaatar Open Ranking Series, with Anil Mor emerging as the standout performer by winning gold in the 55kg category.
Mor dominated all four of his bouts without conceding a single point, underlining his technical control and tactical maturity.
Anil Mor’s Unbeaten Run in 55kg
Anil Mor delivered one of the most clinical performances by an Indian Greco-Roman wrestler on the international stage in recent times. Competing in the 55kg weight class, Mor began his campaign with an 8-0 win over Munkhzaya (MGL) in the opening round. He followed it up with another clean sheet, beating A Cuevas (SGP) 9-0 in the second round.
Skipping Round 3, Mor returned to action in Round 4 and secured an emphatic 11-0 victory against Munkherdene (MGL). He capped off his campaign with a 5-0 win by VFA (Victory by Forfeit or Absence) against Muratbek Uulu (KAZ) in Round 5. His dominance across the board ensured India’s only gold medal of the day and valuable ranking points ahead of the World Championships later this year.
Mor’s title win adds momentum to India’s efforts in Greco-Roman wrestling, a style where international podium finishes have remained limited in comparison to freestyle.
77kg – Phogat Reaches Semis but Falls to Kyrgyz Star
India’s Nishant Phogat had a promising run in the 77kg Nelson system draw, advancing to the semifinals. However, he was outclassed by Yryskeldi Maksatbek Uulu (KGZ), who secured a 9-0 win within the first minute of the bout. Phogat struggled to counter Maksatbek Uulu’s rapid transitions and par terre execution.
Maksatbek Uulu went on to face Ahmet Yilmaz (TUR) in the final, a wrestler who had previously beaten him 11-3 in the group stage. Yilmaz also posted an 11-0 win over Sumiyabazar Zandanbud (MGL) in the other semifinal, underlining his control on the mat.
72kg – Gulia and Nitesh Struggle Against Top Contenders
At 72kg, Ankit Gulia faced Asian champion Danial Sohrabi (IRI) in the group stage. Sohrabi, who would later win his fifth-round bout against Mustafa Sahin (TUR), used a big suplex to beat Gulia and top his group. Gulia found few opportunities to attack against a highly experienced opponent.
Nitesh, competing in the 97kg division, had a closely fought bout against Uzur Dzhuzupbekov (KGZ), an Olympic bronze medalist. After falling behind 4-1 due to two gut wrenches, Nitesh mounted a brief comeback with a reversal and a par terre turn to make it 5-3. He earned another point later but couldn’t break Dzhuzupbekov’s defense, ultimately losing 5-4.
67kg – Neeraj Falls to U23 World Champion
In the 67kg category, Neeraj was up against Razzak Beishekeev (KGZ), the reigning U23 World Champion and 2024 Asian silver medalist. Beishekeev executed two front throws early, racing to a 9-0 technical superiority victory. Neeraj was unable to recover from the early setback, and the bout ended before he could gain any footing.
87kg and 82kg – Indian Wrestlers Advance via Injury Withdrawals
Injury disruptions helped two Indian wrestlers advance in the heavier categories:
- Karan Kamboj (87kg) benefited from an injury to Alperen Berber (TUR). Berber had a 5-0 lead with par terre rolls but sustained a hamstring injury mid-bout. After a stepout by Kamboj, the Turkish corner decided to pull their wrestler out.
- In the 82kg division, Prince was awarded a win against Burhan Akbudak (TUR), who walked onto the mat and then withdrew without filing an official injury report. However, Prince did not progress further, and the impact of the result on the group standings remained uncertain.
Other Notable Results
- Yryskeldi Khamzaev (KGZ) overcame a 3-2 deficit to beat Ankit Gulia (IND) 8-3 with a sequence of takedowns and rolls.
- Uzur Dzhuzupbekov started his day with a comeback win over Gankhuyag Ganbaatar (MGL), turning a 0-6 deficit into a 10-6 victory using effective gut wrenches.
Summary
Anil Mor’s gold medal offered a major positive for India on a day when most of the Greco-Roman contingent faced early exits or were outclassed by higher-ranked opponents. Mor’s technical strength, clean execution, and composure stood out in a weight class that often lacks depth in international competition but still demands physical and tactical precision.
While Phogat and Nitesh showed potential in challenging bouts, India will need greater depth and consistent performances in higher weight categories to compete effectively at the global level. The exposure from the Ulaanbaatar Open, a ranking series event, will be vital as the wrestlers move towards World Championships and Olympic qualification events later this year.
By India Sports Hub Wrestling Desk
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