The Indian U17 women’s wrestling team has once again etched its name in the history books, defending their team title at the U17 World Wrestling Championships with a composed and consistent performance.
Finishing atop the standings with 151 points, India outpaced wrestling powerhouses USA (142 points) and Japan (113 points) to clinch the title in Loutraki, Greece.
This remarkable achievement marks the second consecutive year India’s U17 women have emerged as the best in the world. In 2024, India had stunned the wrestling fraternity by winning the team title for the very first time, powered by an exceptional haul of 5 gold, 1 silver, and 2 bronze medals. While this year’s medal count saw fewer gold medals 2 gold, 3 silver, and 1 bronze the team’s consistent deep runs across weight categories proved decisive in maintaining their position at the summit.
Champions Who Shone Brightest
At the heart of this campaign were two new world champions: Rachana and Ashvini Vishnoi, whose performances stood out for their technical clarity and calm under pressure.
In the women’s 43 kg category, Rachana battled past formidable opponents to set up a gold medal clash against Xin Huang of China. Demonstrating superior tactical awareness and defense, Rachana edged out Huang 3-0 in the final, sealing the first gold medal for India.
Ashvini Vishnoi followed suit in the women’s 65 kg category. After an impressive 7-0 win in the semifinals over Lilia Ermokhina (UWW), Ashvini met Uzbekistan’s Mukhayyo Rakhimjonova in the title bout. Maintaining composure, she controlled the match and secured a convincing 3-0 victory, claiming India’s second gold.
These victories underlined the evolving maturity of Indian youth wrestling a balance of technical skill, discipline, and strategic execution.
Silvers That Reflected Grit
India’s silver medalists Moni, Kajal, and Yashita showed resilience and fighting spirit, even in their final setbacks.
Moni, competing in the women’s 57 kg category, reached the final after a dominant 7-0 semifinal win over Alina Boreva (UWW). In the final against Kazakhstan’s Madkhiya Usmanova, Moni led for much of the contest before narrowly losing 5-6 in a gripping match that could have gone either way.
Defending champion Kajal’s journey in the women’s 73 kg division was one of highs and heartbreak. After an emphatic 11-0 technical superiority win over Ella Poalillo (USA) in the semifinals, Kajal faced China’s Wenjin Qiu in the title clash. Despite leading briefly, Kajal was edged out 5-8, settling for silver this time. In the women’s 61 kg category, Yashita reached the final but could not overcome the challenge posed by USA’s Taina Fernandez, losing by technical superiority. Yet, her run to the final ensured crucial team points that ultimately helped India retain the overall title.
Bronze Adds Balance
Komal Verma added further strength to the Indian tally, clinching bronze in the women’s 49 kg category. While bronze might seem modest next to gold and silver, such medals are vital in tight team competitions where every point can shift the final standings.
Unfortunately, Manisha, who contested in the women’s 69 kg category, fell short in her bronze medal match. Though she ended outside the podium, her presence in medal contention highlighted India’s depth across multiple weight classes.
The final medal tally for the Indian U17 women read:
- 2 Gold: Rachana (43 kg), Ashvini Vishnoi (65 kg)
- 3 Silver: Moni (57 kg), Kajal (73 kg), Yashita (61 kg)
- 1 Bronze: Komal Verma (49 kg)
This translated into 151 team points, ahead of USA (142 points) and Japan (113 points). What makes this feat more impressive is that the Indian team managed this despite securing fewer gold medals than last year, underscoring the importance of consistency and depth rather than relying solely on top podium finishes.
Beyond Medals: A Broader Impact
India’s back-to-back team titles at the U17 World Championships signal a significant cultural and systemic shift in Indian women’s wrestling. A decade ago, wrestling for women in India was largely driven by a handful of stars, but recent performances at age-group competitions show an encouraging spread of talent across states and academies.
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These young wrestlers are products of better grassroots scouting, improved coaching methods, and growing support systems. Importantly, they also benefit from being part of an environment where success is becoming habitual rather than exceptional. The consistent rise of Indian girls in age-group wrestling also sends a strong message for the future: India is no longer an underdog in women’s wrestling; it is now among the nations to beat.
The journey doesn’t end here. Many of these athletes will aim for spots in the U20 and senior teams in the coming years, where the challenges will intensify. The key for Indian wrestling will be to build on this momentum enhancing technical training, exposure to international styles, and nurturing mental resilience for high-pressure bouts.
Nevertheless, for now, these young athletes deserve every accolade. They have defended India’s team title with courage, skill, and quiet determination, making the nation proud once again on the world stage.
As the dust settles in Athens, the message is clear: Indian women’s wrestling is not just growing; it is here to stay. And it is aiming even higher.
📸 Images courtesy: UWW
