India continued its strong showing at the Zagreb Ranking Series with a four-medal surge on Day 2, led by Neelam Sirohi’s silver in the women’s 50kg category.
Adding to the tally were three bronze medals from Muskan (50kg), Vicky Hooda (97kg freestyle), and Dinesh Dhankhar (125kg freestyle), underlining India’s growing depth across weight classes. The latest additions take India’s overall tally at the tournament to one gold, two silvers and four bronzes, with the men’s freestyle squad contributing one gold, one silver and three bronze medals so far.
Neelam Sirohi Fights to Silver
Neelam Sirohi emerged as India’s standout performer on the day in the women’s 50kg category. The Indian grappler stitched together a composed run to the final, registering three victories en route to the title clash. Her campaign ended in a hard-fought final against Japan’s Haruna Morikawa, the reigning U23 World Champion. Morikawa’s pace and positional sharpness made the difference in the summit bout, as Neelam went down 2–5. Despite the defeat, the silver medal reflects a solid and competitive outing against one of the best young wrestlers in the world.
Neelam’s route to the final showcased her ability to control ties through calculated attacks and defensive awareness. Her semifinal performance, in particular, demonstrated composure under pressure, setting up the all-important gold medal match. While Morikawa proved a step ahead in the final exchanges, Neelam’s silver is a significant marker in her continued development at the senior international level.
Muskan Claims Bronze with Technical Superiority
In the same 50kg division, Muskan secured India’s first bronze of the day with an emphatic technical superiority victory. Facing Poland’s Agata Goluchowska Walerzak in the bronze medal match, Muskan dominated from the outset, sealing an 11–0 win. The bout was one-sided, with Muskan dictating pace and converting scoring opportunities efficiently. Her aggressive approach left little room for her opponent to mount a comeback.
Earlier in the tournament, Muskan had suffered a semifinal defeat to Neelam, setting up an all-Indian narrative within the weight class. However, she responded strongly in the bronze medal bout, ensuring India had two wrestlers on the podium in the 50kg category.
Read Articles Without Ads On Your IndiaSportsHub App. Download Now And Stay Updated
In men’s freestyle, Vicky Hooda delivered a composed performance in the 97kg bronze medal bout. Up against France’s Adlan Viskhanov, Hooda controlled the contest and secured an 8–2 victory. Hooda’s tactical discipline stood out. He balanced offense with defensive solidity, preventing Viskhanov from building momentum. The Indian wrestler capitalised on scoring chances in the first period and maintained control in the second, closing out the match without allowing a late surge.
The bronze medal adds to India’s consistent returns in the heavier freestyle divisions at this tournament.
Dinesh Dhankhar Finishes Strong in 125kg
Dinesh Dhankhar rounded off the day’s medal haul with a dominant pinfall win in the 125kg bronze medal bout. Facing Poland’s Kamil Kosciolek, Dhankhar sealed the result decisively.
After establishing control in the early exchanges, Dhankhar executed a move that brought Kosciolek to the mat, finishing the contest via fall. The pinfall underlined his strength and composure in high-pressure situations.
The victory reinforces India’s growing competitiveness in the heavyweight category, traditionally one of the most demanding divisions in freestyle wrestling.
Read Articles Without Ads On Your IndiaSportsHub App. Download Now And Stay Updated
With four additional medals on Day 2, India’s overall tally at the Zagreb Ranking Series stands at: 1 Gold, 2 Silver & 4 Bronze
In men’s freestyle alone, the team has delivered one gold, one silver and three bronze medals a strong start in the first Ranking Series event of the year.
The Zagreb Ranking Series remains a key competition on the international calendar, offering crucial ranking points and early-season assessments ahead of major championships. For India, the Day 2 performances highlight both podium consistency and depth across weight classes.
Neelam’s silver leads the charge, but the collective effort across women’s and men’s freestyle categories signals encouraging momentum as the season progresses.
