India’s young wrestlers delivered a historic performance at the Asian Youth Games, dominating the sands of Sanya with a record-breaking haul of three gold and two silver medals in beach wrestling.
The stellar show not only placed India atop the medal standings but also underlined the nation’s growing strength in alternative wrestling formats. It was a day to remember for the Indian contingent as Sani Subhash Fulmali (60kg), Anjali (55kg), and Arjun Ruhil (90kg) struck gold, while Sujay Tanpure (70kg) and Ravinder (80kg) added two hard-fought silvers. The five-medal sweep was India’s best-ever beach wrestling performance at a continental multi-sport event.
In the boys’ 60kg category, Sani Subhash Fulmali etched his name into the history books by becoming India’s first-ever Asian Youth Games beach wrestling champion. The 17-year-old from Maharashtra began his campaign with commanding wins over South Korea’s Kil (2-1) and Saudi Arabia’s Alsaud (2-0) before breezing past Vietnam’s Lam (2-0) and the Philippines’ Angana (4-0) in the group stage.
Advancing as group leader, Fulmali maintained his rhythm in the semifinals, defeating Bakhramov of Tajikistan 2-0 with controlled aggression and strong upper-body throws. The final saw him face a formidable Iranian opponent, Amirali Domirkolaei, in a classic Indo-Iranian duel. Yet Fulmali was unflappable. Using a perfect mix of defensive technique and mat awareness, he sealed the bout 2-0 via technical superiority, clinching the gold and sending the Indian camp into jubilation.
His title capped off a dream run and showcased India’s emerging dominance in the lighter men’s divisions — areas historically led by Iran and Kazakhstan.
Anjali Shines Bright in the Girls’ 55kg Division
Among the standout performances came from Anjali, who scripted a dominant campaign in the girls’ 55kg category. Without dropping a single point throughout the competition, she displayed a rare blend of precision and composure on the sand. Her journey began with a clinical 2-0 victory over Thailand’s Duangchit, followed by a tactical dismantling of Jordan’s Qawasmii. In the semifinal, she overpowered Mongolia’s Bayarsaikhan 4-0, using quick ankle holds and upper-arm control to neutralize her opponent early.
The gold-medal bout against Iran’s Domirkolaei proved to be a test of patience, but Anjali showed maturity beyond her years. She closed out the match 2-0, showcasing tactical discipline and agility to secure India’s second gold of the day. Her triumph is particularly significant marking India’s first-ever girls’ beach wrestling gold at the Asian Youth Games. Anjali’s victory sends a strong signal of the country’s growing depth in women’s wrestling, beyond the traditional mat formats.
The final golden moment came courtesy of Arjun Ruhil, who conquered the boys’ 90kg division with a series of authoritative wins. A powerhouse from Haryana, Ruhil combined brute strength with impressive agility, key traits for the beach format. He opened his campaign with a 2-0 win against Saudi Arabia’s Saeed, followed by a 4-0 sweep over Bahrain’s Zaman. His semifinal saw him overpower Thailand’s Sophrakhon with decisive takedowns, setting up a high-voltage final against Iran’s Mohammadmahdi Fotouhi.
The bout was tense and closely contested, but Ruhil’s superior grip and quick recovery on sand made the difference. He held off Fotouhi 2-1 via technical superiority, clinching India’s third gold medal of the competition.
Silver Success: Sujay Tanpure and Ravinder Fight Through
India’s medal rush didn’t stop at gold. Sujay Tanpure (70kg) and Ravinder (80kg) added two crucial silver medals, both narrowly missing out on the top podium finish after strong campaigns. Tanpure dominated his group with wins over Thailand’s Chorawek (2-0) and Pakistan’s Ali (2-1), before defeating Jordan’s Marafi (2-0). He carried that form into the semifinals, defeating Tajikistan’s Bakhromov (2-0), but fell short in the final against Iran’s Shokouhi, losing 1-2 in a closely fought contest.
Ravinder, meanwhile, looked solid in the 80kg class, registering wins over Korea’s Kim (2-1) and Saudi Arabia’s Majrashi (2-1). His consistency earned him a place in the final, where he was narrowly edged out by an Iranian opponent, settling for silver but his performance highlighted India’s depth across weight categories.
With three golds and two silvers, India emerged as the top-performing nation in beach wrestling at the Asian Youth Games surpassing traditional wrestling giants like Iran and Kazakhstan. This dominance underscores India’s growing technical prowess and adaptability in newer wrestling formats. It also reflects the success of the Wrestling Federation of India’s focus on expanding participation in non-traditional styles like beach and belt wrestling, which are gaining international traction.
The 2025 Asian Youth Games has given Indian wrestling a new identity on sand. For a country already renowned for its mat champions, this performance marks an exciting shift one that blends traditional strength with a modern, dynamic style suited to global competition. From Anjali’s composure to Sani Fulmali’s historic breakthrough and Arjun Ruhil’s commanding finish, India’s young wrestlers didn’t just win medals; they showcased a blueprint for future dominance in beach wrestling.
With such performances, the tide is clearly turning and it’s bringing waves of gold for Indian wrestling.
India’s Beach Wrestling Medal Tally Asian Youth Games 2025
🥇 Sani Subhash Fulmali (Boys’ 60kg)
🥇 Anjali (Girls’ 55kg)
🥇 Arjun Ruhil (Boys’ 90kg)
🥈 Sujay Tanpure (Boys’ 70kg)
🥈 Ravinder (Boys’ 80kg)
Final Tally: 3 Gold, 2 Silver India on Top of Asia.
