In a sport where strength meets strategy and raw power must dance with patience, 17-year-old Hardeep has etched his name in Indian wrestling history.
At the U17 World Wrestling Championships 2025 in Athens, Greece, Hardeep clinched gold in the men’s Greco-Roman 110 kg category, defeating Iran’s formidable Yazdan Reza Delrouz by criteria (3*-3).
With this win, he not only became the first Indian ever to win a heavyweight (110 kg) title at U17 Worlds, but also joined an exclusive club as India’s fourth-ever cadet Greco-Roman world champion, following in the footsteps of Vinod Kumar (45 kg, 1980), Pappu Yadav (51 kg, 1990), and Suraj Vashisht (55 kg, 2022). But beyond the numbers, it was the spirit, resolve, and sheer presence of the young athlete that captured the imagination of wrestling fans across India.
From Quiet Beginnings to Golden Glory
Hardeep’s road to the top was anything but easy. Greco-Roman wrestling, historically overshadowed by freestyle in India, demands not just upper-body strength but an incredible sense of timing and balance. Unlike freestyle, holds below the waist are prohibited, making every grip, twist, and throw a tactical decision.
Representing a nation where lightweight wrestlers have traditionally shone, Hardeep’s journey in the heavyweight division was a breakthrough. His campaign in Athens showcased not only his power but also his composure and technical discipline.
Round of 32: Hardeep started strong, overcoming Kazakhstan’s Baktur Sovetkhan 2-0. In Greco-Roman, scoring often comes from par terre (ground) position, and here, Hardeep demonstrated his mastery, converting opportunities with calm efficiency.
Round of 16: Against Poland’s Mateusz Tomelka, Hardeep secured a confident 4-2 win. It wasn’t just about brute force; it was the tactical nous — defending when needed and striking decisively.
Quarterfinals: In a statement win, Hardeep blanked European bronze medallist Anatoli Novachenko of Ukraine 9-0, executing turns from par terre to establish a commanding lead.
Semifinals: Facing Turkey’s Emrullah Capkan, Hardeep displayed his nerves of steel, winning 4-2 in a closely contested bout, and booking his spot in the historic final.
A Final to Remember: The Power of Composure
Standing across the mat in the gold medal match was Yazdan Reza Delrouz of Iran, from a nation renowned for its Greco-Roman heritage. The bout was tense and tactical, as both athletes knew even a small mistake could be decisive.
When the final whistle blew, the score read 3-3. In Greco-Roman wrestling, if scores are tied, victory is awarded by “criteria” typically favouring the wrestler who scored the last technical point or executed the highest-scoring move. Hardeep, having scored the last point, emerged victorious. It was a masterclass in keeping composure under pressure.
The win was more than just gold; it symbolised India’s coming of age in heavyweight Greco-Roman wrestling a category traditionally dominated by European and Iranian athletes.
History in Context: Following Legends
India’s previous cadet world champions Vinod Kumar (1980), Pappu Yadav (1990), and Suraj Vashisht (2022) all triumphed in lighter categories. Hardeep’s success in the 110 kg division breaks new ground. Until now, heavyweight Greco-Roman was a distant dream; today, it’s a milestone achieved.
What makes this moment even more significant is how wrestling in India has evolved. Traditionally, focus and resources leaned heavily towards freestyle, especially in lighter weight classes. Hardeep’s gold can reshape that narrative, showing potential in categories once thought beyond reach.
A Tough Day Elsewhere: Near Misses for Team India
While Hardeep brought home gold, the day had its share of heartbreaks for Indian wrestlers. In the Greco-Roman 55 kg category, Aditya Gupta reached the semifinals with a hard-fought 4-1 win over Asian silver medallist Sadriddin Tulkinboev (Uzbekistan), and an even more dramatic 4-2 victory over Ukraine’s Gamidov in the quarters. Yet, he fell short in the semifinals and later in the bronze medal match.
In the 65 kg division, Anuj impressed early, beating Asian bronze medallist Xusan Giezidinov (Uzbekistan) 8-0. But like Aditya, he lost momentum in the semifinals and the bronze medal match, missing out narrowly on a podium finish.
These results underline how far Indian Greco-Roman wrestling has come from struggling to make quarterfinals to now regularly reaching medal bouts. Yet, they also highlight the thin margins at this level: a single point or a defensive mistake can decide medals.
A Tournament of Upsets and Surprises
Beyond India’s results, the Athens championship was marked by several dramatic contests:
- Asian U17 champion Damir Akan (Kazakhstan) was cautioned out despite leading 7-0, in a controversial 60 kg match against Iran’s Abolfazl Zare.
- At 71 kg, European champion Giorgi Gogelashvili (Georgia) was stunned by Azerbaijan’s Yusif Ahmadli, 7-2.
- In 51 kg, Greece’s Pavlos Tsentidis thrilled local fans with a last-second four-point throw to win 3-2.
Such moments are reminders that at cadet level, talent is universal, and matches can turn on a single move.
What Hardeep’s Win Means for Indian Wrestling
Hardeep’s victory is symbolic on multiple fronts:
- First Indian heavyweight Greco-Roman champion: Breaking stereotypes that Indian success is limited to lighter divisions.
- Momentum for Greco-Roman: With Suraj Vashisht (2022) and now Hardeep (2025), Indian Greco-Roman is building continuity.
- Inspiration for future wrestlers: Hardeep’s triumph is likely to inspire young athletes, especially those from rural backgrounds, to consider Greco-Roman seriously.
While cadet success is promising, history shows the transition to senior levels is tough. Athletes face more experienced opponents, physically mature wrestlers, and intense global competition. To convert youth potential into senior medals, focus must remain on:
- Continued investment in strength and conditioning
- Exposure to international competitions
- Technical refinement, especially in par terre positions
A Golden Moment, A Larger Legacy
In wrestling, where history weighs as heavily as skill, Hardeep’s win stands tall. He carries the legacy of names like Sushil Kumar and Yogeshwar Dutt in freestyle, while writing a new chapter for Greco-Roman.
As he stood on the podium, gold medal glinting under the Athens lights, Hardeep did more than just win a bout; he made generations believe that an Indian wrestler can stand atop the world in heavyweight Greco-Roman wrestling.
For India, it’s a signpost: the journey is long, but the path is now clear.
