For Indian wrestling, few names carry as much weight among the new generation as Priya Malik.
On Wednesday in Samokov, Bulgaria, the 19-year-old once again underlined why she is considered the future of India’s heavyweight division. With three commanding wins, she stormed into the final of the women’s 76kg category at the U20 World Wrestling Championships, booking her place in the summit clash for the third year running. This isn’t just a story of a tournament campaign. It is the story of a young wrestler who has made consistency at the world level look routine.
A reputation built on dominance
Priya first announced herself on the U20 stage in 2022, reaching the final but settling for silver. The following year, she went a step further, winning gold in 2023. To make a third straight final in 2025 reflects not just her ability but her hunger. In a weight class that demands strength, technique, and mental resolve, Priya has shown all three in abundance. This week in Samokov, she entered the competition as one of the favourite, and she wrestled exactly like one.
Round 1: A statement win
Her opening bout against Veronika Nyikos (Hungary) was over almost as soon as it began. Priya executed a series of clean leg laces to rack up points quickly, forcing a 10–0 technical superiority victory inside the first period.
It was more than just a win. It was a statement that she was here to dominate, not to merely survive the rounds.
Quarterfinal: Patience and control
The quarterfinal against Diana Titova was a different kind of test. Titova, known for her resilience, looked to slow the pace and frustrate the Indian. But Priya showed maturity beyond her years. She stayed composed, scored two takedowns, and controlled the bout from start to finish for a 4–0 win. If the first-round victory was about aggression, this one was about discipline. Priya demonstrated that she can adapt her game to suit the demands of the opponent a skill that separates good wrestlers from great ones.
Semifinal: Ruthless efficiency
The semifinal against Evelin Ujhelji (Serbia) saw Priya back to her ruthless best. From the whistle, she attacked with purpose, scoring at will and denying her opponent any chance to breathe. Within three minutes, the bout was done: 10–0 by technical superiority. It was a reminder of the gulf in class between Priya and most of her peers at this level. Three matches, two wins by technical superiority, and a combined scoreline of 24–0 tells its own story.
A third straight final beckons
With this performance, Priya has now entered her third consecutive U20 World final a rare feat in itself. She was a runner-up in 2022, champion in 2023, and now stands on the brink of becoming a two-time world champion. Her opponent in the final will be Nadiia Sokolovska (Ukraine), the reigning European U20 champion. Sokolovska is technically sharp and has herself looked impressive through the rounds. It promises to be a contest of power versus precision, and for Priya, perhaps the toughest test of this campaign.
Priya’s success also speaks to the evolution of Indian women’s wrestling in the heavier weight classes. Traditionally, India has produced stars in the lighter categories, but Priya has broken that mold. By consistently excelling in the 76kg division, she is paving the way for greater recognition of India’s depth across all weight classes. For the Wrestling Federation of India, her progress offers hope for the next Olympic cycle. While she is still in the U20 bracket, her dominance suggests she is not far from making a significant impact at the senior level.
Beyond her medals, Priya’s journey inspires because of her consistency and composure. Many wrestlers shine briefly at junior level before fading. Priya, by contrast, has built a body of work that already marks her as a potential senior world and Olympic medal contender. Young wrestlers in India now look up to her as someone who has shown that staying at the top is possible with discipline and hard work.
As she prepares to face Sokolovska, Priya knows that this final could define her junior career. A victory would mean two golds and one silver in three U20 Worlds a record few can match. More importantly, it would give her the confidence to carry this momentum into senior competitions. For now, though, the focus is simple: one more match, one more step, one more title. Priya Malik’s road to the final in Samokov has been nothing short of dominant. She has combined aggression, control, and efficiency to once again prove that she belongs among the world’s very best.
Whatever happens in the final, her place in Indian wrestling’s rising generation is already secure. But knowing Priya, settling for silver is not an option. She will step on the mat looking for nothing less than gold and given the way she has wrestled so far, few would bet against her.
