India’s Reena, already an established name at the Asian U20 and U23 levels, took another massive step forward in her career at the U20 World Wrestling Championships in Samokov, Bulgaria.
Wrestling in the 55kg category, she produced a string of commanding performances to storm into the final, underlining her credentials as one of India’s brightest young stars. The 19-year-old entered the tournament with expectations on her shoulders, given her recent continental successes. Over the course of three bouts, she showed why she is a multiple-time Asian champion blending speed, power, and mat awareness to dismantle her rivals.
Round of 16: Tactical composure against Mongolia
Reena opened her campaign against Khaliun Byambasuren of Mongolia, a returning silver medallist at the U20 level. The bout began with Byambasuren attempting to unsettle Reena with an aggressive attack that earned her a big four-point throw. But the Indian refused to panic. Instead, she reset quickly and worked her way back into the contest with sharp single-leg attacks and tight finishes. Once she got into rhythm, Reena’s chain wrestling proved too much for the Mongolian. She scored multiple takedowns, eventually sealing an 11–6 victory.
This was the kind of match that reveals a wrestler’s maturity conceding a big move early, but keeping composure to grind out a win. For Reena, it was the perfect way to settle into the tournament.
Quarterfinal: Power game against Hungary
In the last eight, Reena faced Gerda Terek of Hungary, the reigning European U20 champion. Terek, known for her defensive resilience, struggled against the Indian’s superior pace. Reena opened the scoring with a clean double-leg and then followed up with quick finishes that kept Terek off balance. By the second period, the Hungarian had no answers to Reena’s repeated entries, and the Indian cruised to an 8–2 win.
This was arguably Reena’s most important performance of the day. Defeating a reigning European champion is always significant, but the manner of the win controlled, systematic, and decisive showed her readiness for the very top level.
Semifinal: Technical superiority masterclass
Reena’s semifinal against Alexandra Voiculescu of Romania turned out to be her most dominant outing. From the outset, she dictated tempo, cutting angles and attacking both legs with precision. Voiculescu barely had time to settle before Reena had already opened up a comfortable lead. A pair of takedowns followed by lace turns saw the Indian race to double digits. Within a few minutes, the referee called it: 11–1 by technical superiority.
The win was significant not just because it secured her place in the final, but also because it highlighted her ability to finish bouts early a skill that is vital when competing in multiple matches on the same day.
Into the final: A showdown with the USA
Reena now faces Everest Leydecker of the United States in the 55kg gold medal bout. Leydecker herself has looked formidable, notching multiple 10–0 wins in the competition. The American combines upper-body throws with strong lace turns, making her a dangerous opponent. For Reena, the key will be to neutralize Leydecker’s explosive starts and impose her pace across the match. Given her ability to adjust, as seen in the comeback against Byambasuren, she will back herself to handle whatever challenge comes her way.
India’s recent success in women’s wrestling has largely come in the lighter weight divisions. With stars like Vinesh Phogat and Anshu Malik inspiring a generation, the emergence of Reena in the 55kg category signals further depth in the pipeline. Her journey in Samokov also reflects the growing maturity of India’s junior wrestlers. Where once Indian grapplers often struggled against European opponents, Reena’s dismantling of the reigning European U20 champion shows that the balance of power is shifting.
For the Wrestling Federation of India, her success is a boost at a time when the sport is looking to rebuild its image and momentum following administrative challenges. Still only 19, Reena already has continental titles at the U20 and U23 levels, and now a World Championship final berth. Regardless of how the gold medal match unfolds, she has cemented herself as a name to watch in the run-up to the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics. Her ability to stay composed in high-pressure moments, coupled with her attacking instincts, marks her out as a complete package.
The U20 Worlds may just be another milestone, but for Reena, it could well be the launchpad to a sustained senior career at the highest level. Reena’s road to the final in Samokov has been a study in versatility recovering from early setbacks, outmuscling a continental champion, and finishing with ruthless efficiency in the semifinal. Each bout revealed a different facet of her wrestling arsenal. As she prepares to face Everest Leydecker in the final, Reena carries with her not just the hopes of a medal, but also the promise of India’s next wave of wrestling talent.
Win or lose, her performance at these championships has ensured that she is no longer just an Asian champion she is now a world-level contender.
