Drama, Comebacks and Dominance: India’s Women Wrestlers Seal Spots for the 2025 World Wrestling Championships
The women’s wrestling trials for the 2025 Senior World Wrestling Championships witnessed a mix of dominant displays, dramatic comebacks, and the rise of fresh names alongside established stars. Held in a tense single-day format, the trials delivered moments that underlined both the depth and resilience of Indian women’s wrestling. Here’s a detailed look at how the ten champions secured their spots.
Veterans Shine, Young Guns Step Up
At the top end of the weight spectrum, Priya Malik reaffirmed her class in the 76kg category. Starting her day with a clinical 10–0 victory over Tanu of Delhi, Priya showcased patience and tactical maturity in the final. Facing Kiran of RSPB, she edged a tight contest 4–2 to book her place at the World Championships. It was a performance marked by calculated aggression and a solid defense, reflecting Priya’s evolution into one of India’s most reliable heavyweights.
The 72kg final, meanwhile, produced arguably the comeback of the day. U20 World Champion Jyoti Berwal found herself 0–6 down against Harshita but refused to panic. Staying composed, Jyoti launched a series of sharp attacks to score 11 unanswered points, eventually sealing the bout 11–6 via points victory. It was a performance that demonstrated both her technical prowess and mental strength.
Another thrilling turnaround came from Radhika in the 68kg final. Trailing 0–4 with just 15 seconds left against Srishti, Radhika produced a decisive takedown followed by a gut wrench to snatch victory and a spot at the Senior World Championships. Earlier, Radhika had defeated Nisha Dahiya, who was making her return to the mat after the injury setback at the Paris Olympics, winning 10–4 to underline her readiness for the global stage.
In the 65kg category, Vaishnavi showcased her form by defeating Muskan 7–2 in the final. Displaying a controlled and attacking approach, Vaishnavi left little room for her opponent to stage a comeback.
Tight Battles and Familiar Names
The 62kg trials featured just two wrestlers, but the final turned into a high-stakes clash. Asian champion Manisha Bhanwala squared off against 2024 World bronze medallist Mansi Ahlawat in a bout defined by defensive discipline and timely attacks. Manisha edged out Mansi 2–1 (VPO), earning her World Championships ticket and signaling her rising stature in the division.
In the 59kg category, Neha Sangwan dominated her opening bout with a 10–0 win over Soniya from Rajasthan before facing Sarika in the final. Demonstrating solid control on the mat, Neha secured a 6–1 win to clinch her place at the Worlds.
Tapasya pulled off one of the day’s surprises in the 57kg category, narrowly defeating Neha Sharma 2–1 in a tense final. Tapasya’s victory underscored the competitive balance within the middleweight categories.
Nishu secured her berth in the 55kg category with a narrow 2–1 win over Jyoti. It was a closely contested bout, with both wrestlers showing strong defensive skills, but Nishu managed to do just enough to edge ahead.
Dominance at Lighter Weights
Paris Olympian Antim Panghal, India’s most consistent performer in recent years, underlined why she remains the queen of the 53kg division. Competing in a small field of four wrestlers, Antim began her day with a solid 6–0 win over Pooja before finishing the job in the final with a technical superiority victory over Hinaben Khalifa. Calm, precise and relentless, Antim looked every bit the medal contender for the upcoming World Championships.
In the lightest category, 50kg, Ankush made an emphatic statement. Starting with a dominant display, Ankush stormed past Neelam in the final by technical superiority, registering a 15–3 victory. This result sealed her first-ever spot at the World Championships and marked the arrival of another promising name in the lower weights.
Beyond the champions, the trials highlighted compelling personal stories. Nisha Dahiya’s return to competition after her injury at the Paris Olympics was a significant moment. Though she fell 4–10 to Radhika in her opening bout and exited the trials early, her presence was a positive sign for Indian wrestling, suggesting that her journey back to peak form is underway.
In several categories, the narrow margins of victory underscored how competitive women’s wrestling in India has become. From Tapasya’s slim 2–1 win to Manisha’s gritty 2–1 triumph over a world medallist, the trials reflected the fierce battle for limited spots.
The trials concluded with India finalizing its women’s squad for the 2025 Senior World Wrestling Championships: Ankush (50kg), Antim Panghal (53kg), Nishu (55kg), Tapasya (57kg), Neha Sangwan (59kg), Manisha Bhanwala (62kg), Vaishnavi (65kg), Radhika (68kg), Jyoti Berwal (72kg), and Priya Malik (76kg).
With a mix of seasoned campaigners and rising talents, the Indian contingent now heads to the World stage hoping to convert these hard-earned spots into podium finishes. The resilience, technical sharpness, and fighting spirit shown at the trials offer reasons for optimism as Indian women’s wrestling continues its quest for global excellence.
