U17 & U23 Asian Wrestling Championships Set to Unfold in Vietnam: Indian Contingent Gears Up for Battle

The coastal city of Vung Tau, Vietnam, is set to witness an intense showcase of young wrestling talent as it plays host to the 2025 U17 and U23 Asian Wrestling Championships.

Summary in 90 :

The U23 Asian Wrestling Championships will be held in Vung Tau, Vietnam, from June 18–21, followed by the U17 event from June 23–28. India, the reigning U23 freestyle champions, will field strong squads across Greco-Roman, women’s wrestling, and freestyle. Host nation Vietnam will participate with 44 wrestlers. Over 20 nations are expected, with 40 referees officiating. This is Vietnam’s first time hosting a major continental youth wrestling event. Notable names like Sagar Jaglan, Priya, and Reena lead India’s charge, aiming to build on their record-breaking 2024 performance in Amman.

The U23 competition will run from June 18 to 21, followed by the U17 edition from June 23 to 28 at the same venue.

This marks the first time Vietnam is hosting a continental youth wrestling championship, a significant milestone for the nation’s sporting infrastructure. The Vietnamese Wrestling Federation is fielding a strong 44-member contingent, and preparations are being closely coordinated with the Asian Wrestling Federation (AWF) to ensure smooth operations and high technical standards. More than 20 Asian nations are expected to send delegations, with matches overseen by 40 qualified referees appointed by the AWF.

A Strong Precedent from Indian Wrestlers

India enters the U23 Championships riding a wave of momentum. At the 2024 U23 Asian Championships in Amman, Jordan, Indian wrestlers recorded their best-ever performance, topping the medal table in freestyle with eight medals—four gold, two silver, and two bronze.

• Gold Medalists:
  • Abhimanyu (70 kg)
  • Jointy Kumar (92 kg)
  • Sahil Jaglan (97 kg)
  • Anirudh Kumar (125 kg)
• Silver Medalists:
  • Rohit (65 kg)
  • Jaideep (74 kg)
• Bronze Medalists:
  • Shubham (57 kg)
  • Amit (79 kg)

India finished ahead of powerhouses Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, signaling the rise of its next generation of grapplers.

Full U23 Wrestling Schedule

• June 18–19: Greco-Roman
• June 20: Women’s Wrestling
• June 21: Freestyle Wrestling

(For the complete and updated match timings and draws, refer to the UWW Arena platform.)

Indian Entries at U23 Championships

Women’s Wrestling

India will be fielding athletes in all 10 weight categories, including promising names like:

• 50kg – Vinita
• 53kg – Hinaben Khalifa
• 55kg – Reena
• 57kg – Neha Sharma
• 59kg – Tanvi Magdum
• 62kg – Pragati Gaikwad
• 65kg – Shiksha
• 68kg – Srishti
• 72kg – Jyoti Berwal
• 76kg – Priya

Top contenders include Reena (55kg) and Srishti (68kg), both with strong junior records. Vinita and Hinaben will be watched closely in the lighter weight divisions.

Men’s Freestyle

India’s freestyle team features several national-level medallists:

• 57kg – Ankush
• 61kg – Nikhil
• 65kg – Sujeet
• 70kg – Sagar
• 74kg – Jaideep
• 79kg – Chandermohan
• 86kg – Sagar Jaglan
• 92kg – Sachin
• 97kg – Vicky
• 125kg – Jaspooran Singh

Sujeet (65kg) and Sagar Jaglan (86kg), both former medallists, could be pivotal to India’s medal push.

Greco-Roman

In Greco-Roman, India will feature in all ten weight classes:

• Notables include Rishav Chaudhary (55kg), Aman (77kg), Prince (82kg), and Rohit (87kg).
• Nitesh (97kg) and Uttam Rana (130kg) round off the upper-weight representation.

India has steadily improved its Greco-Roman results in recent years and will look to continue that trend.

U17 Championships Set to Follow

Just two days after the U23 competition concludes, the U17 Asian Wrestling Championships will begin on June 23. The same venue in Vung Tau will witness young cadets take to the mat until June 28.

Final entry lists for both age categories remain subject to change until 72 hours before each draw, so participating athletes and teams are advised to monitor the UWW Arena for confirmed lineups and bout schedules.

Vietnam Steps Up as Host

Vietnam’s hosting of this dual-championship event is a landmark for the nation. Ta Dinh Duc, General Secretary of the Vietnam Wrestling Federation, expressed optimism and pride, saying:

“It is a great honour for Vietnam to host these Championships. We hope the tournament will see high-quality bouts and inspire the growth of wrestling in our country.”

Vietnam’s national team comes into the event with good momentum. At the 2024 Southeast Asian Wrestling Championships held in Singapore in May, they won 24 gold medals, topping the medal tally. With athletes in all weight classes, they’ll look to convert home advantage into podium finishes.

The U23 and U17 Asian Wrestling Championships provide an essential stepping stone for young athletes aiming to transition to senior-level competition, including future Asian Games, World Championships, and ultimately the Olympics.

For India, these events are vital in nurturing depth across all three styles freestyle, women’s, and Greco-Roman as the nation builds on recent successes. With a full-strength contingent and past podium performers in the mix, expectations are high.

As bouts get underway on June 18, wrestling fans will have their eyes firmly set on Vung Tau, where the future stars of Asian wrestling will test their skills, endurance, and ambition.