The 2025 World Wrestling Championships, set to unfold at Arena Zagreb in Croatia from September 13 to 21, represent more than just another global tournament.
As the first major wrestling event after the Paris Olympics, it carries the weight of renewal—an opportunity for nations to recalibrate, test emerging talent, and signal their intent for the next Olympic cycle. With nearly 900 athletes across men’s freestyle, women’s freestyle, and Greco-Roman, the competition promises to be a showcase of technical brilliance, resilience, and tactical mastery. For India, led by Olympic bronze medalist Aman Sehrawat and World bronze medalist Antim Panghal, this championship is a proving ground. The nation arrives in Zagreb with both experienced campaigners and a new generation shaped by strong U17 and U20 performances.
The stakes are clear: medals here are not just about podium finishes but about cementing India’s status in the wrestling world.
A Global Stage of Unprecedented Scale
This year’s event is historic for Croatia, hosting the World Championships for the first time. Arena Zagreb will welcome approximately 900 wrestlers, with each day of competition climaxing in finals that build momentum throughout the week. Unlike youth tournaments, this is the senior stage the battleground where reputations are forged and Olympic champions defend their legacies. The tournament structure follows a single-elimination format, but with the crucial repechage system. Wrestlers who lose to eventual finalists are given a second chance to fight through a side bracket, ensuring that early draws against elite opponents do not extinguish medal hopes prematurely.
This system often produces some of the most dramatic stories athletes clawing back from setbacks to claim bronze. India’s squad reflects both depth and ambition. Across all three styles, the team balances seasoned names with rising talent.
- Aman Sehrawat (57kg men’s freestyle) is the face of the campaign. The 22-year-old, fresh from his Paris Olympic bronze, has added medals at the Ulaanbaatar Open and Yasar Dogu, proving his consistency. Seeded No. 5, he enters Zagreb as a genuine medal contender.
- Antim Panghal (53kg women’s freestyle) is another headliner. A bronze medalist at the 2023 Worlds, she endured disappointment at Paris 2024 but has since rebounded with golds at the Ulaanbaatar Open and the Polyák Imre & Varga János Memorial. Seeded No. 4, her resilience makes her one of India’s best bets.
- Deepak Punia (92kg men’s freestyle), a Tokyo Olympian, adds crucial experience, while Sujeet Kalkal (65kg), the reigning U23 Asian champion, represents the promise of the new generation. Sujeet, seeded No. 8, already boasts a Budapest Ranking Series gold.
- On the women’s side, Manisha Bhanwala (62kg), the reigning Asian champion, carries momentum, while Priya Malik (76kg) adds depth in the heavier category.
Greco-Roman, historically India’s weaker area, also has representation, led by names like Anil Mor (55kg) and Sonu (130kg). While podium finishes in this discipline may be ambitious, the very presence of competitive wrestlers reflects India’s broader investment in wrestling diversity.
India’s confidence is not only built on its seniors. The country’s youth pipeline is arguably stronger than ever. At the U17 Worlds in Athens, Indian wrestlers took home six medals, including historic gold in Greco-Roman through Hardeep Chhillar. The women’s U17 squad was especially dominant, with multiple champions. Similarly, the U20 Worlds delivered another four medals, headlined by Tapasya Gahlawat’s gold. These results indicate that India’s rise is not cyclical but sustained, supported by depth across weight classes and both genders. Zagreb will be the first true test of how seamlessly these youth successes can translate to senior-level podiums.
The International Heavyweights
Of course, India’s aspirations will be tested against wrestling’s traditional giants.
- In men’s freestyle, all eyes are on the 97kg category, headlined by reigning Olympic champion Akhmed Tazhudinov (Bahrain) and American great Kyle Snyder. At 65kg, Japan’s Olympic gold medalist Kotaro Kiyooka is set for a rematch with Iran’s Rahman Amouzad, the No. 1 seed. And in the super-heavyweight division, Amir Hossein Zare (Iran) looms as perhaps the most dominant favorite across any category.
- Women’s freestyle continues to be dominated by Japan. Olympic champion Motoki Sakura (62kg) anchors their squad, alongside former world champions Yoshimoto Remina (50kg) and Okuno Haruna (53kg). Adding intrigue is the return of American legend Helen Maroulis (57kg), a Rio 2016 Olympic champion chasing a fourth world title.
- In Greco-Roman, Iran and Azerbaijan once again bring formidable squads. Reigning champions like Amin Mirzazadeh (130kg, Iran) and Eldaniz Azizli (55kg, Azerbaijan) will look to reinforce their dominance.
For India, the challenge is immense. But the narrowing gap in technical skills evident in youth-level wins over traditional powers suggests that breakthroughs are possible. The World Championships in Zagreb are not just another event on the calendar; they mark the first post-Olympic checkpoint. For Indian wrestling, the significance is twofold:
- Validation of Progress – Strong performances here will confirm that India’s investments in youth development and expanded training camps are bearing fruit.
- Setting the Tone for LA 2028 – With Los Angeles Olympics three years away, medals in Zagreb will boost confidence, attract funding, and inspire the next wave of wrestlers.
The Indian wrestling movement has grown from isolated stars like Sushil Kumar and Sakshi Malik into a broader system capable of producing multiple medal contenders. A successful campaign in Zagreb will be evidence of a shift from dependence on individuals to reliance on a structured program. While global fans can follow the action on FloWrestling and Olympic.com, the Indian broadcast landscape remains uncertain. With no clear local broadcast partner announced after Sporty Solutionz’s rights deal expired in 2024, fans may have to rely on the Wrestling Federation of India’s digital channels for highlights and updates.
This lack of centralized coverage is a concern, as sustained visibility is key to building wider fan engagement.
As nearly 900 athletes descend on Zagreb, the 2025 World Wrestling Championships will redefine narratives for nations and individuals alike. Uzbekistan, Iran, Japan, and the U.S. arrive with expectations of dominance. But for India, the storyline is about ambition meeting opportunity. With Aman Sehrawat and Antim Panghal carrying the torch, backed by an exciting youth brigade, India’s presence in Zagreb feels less like participation and more like contention.
If the past two years of U17 and U20 successes are any indication, the mat in Croatia could well witness the emergence of India as a sustained global wrestling power.
