The 2026 edition of the IIS Dangal Championship concluded on a high note in Hisar, with U23 World Championships medallists Nishu and Yash emerging as standout performers in their respective weight categories.
Organised by the Inspire Institute of Sport (IIS) and powered by Parle G, the championship witnessed a record turnout, drawing over 300 entries and approximately 240 participants across nine categories at the Shaheed Madan Lal Dhingra Multipurpose Hall, Giri Centre, CCS HAU.
Competing in the 53 kg category, Nishu who recently secured a bronze medal at the U23 World Championships in Novi Sad, Serbia delivered a commanding performance throughout the competition to claim the gold medal. In the men’s freestyle 74 kg category, Delhi’s Yash showcased similar dominance to finish on top of the podium. In addition to securing their respective titles, Nishu and Yash were awarded prize money of ₹31,000 and ₹51,000 respectively.
Reflecting on his performance, Yash highlighted the competitive nature of the tournament and its value as a developmental platform. “It was an excellent opportunity for me to fight against some top-quality opponents. It always feels great to win a title. I hope more such events are organised and wrestlers like me get to participate and improve,” he said.
Following the strong response to its inaugural edition in 2025, the second edition of the IIS Dangal Championship opened participation to athletes from across the country. Nearly 20 percent of the entries were received from outside Haryana, underlining the expanding reach of the event. Of the total registrations, around 250 entries were recorded in the men’s categories, while the women’s categories attracted over 50 participants.
Several notable wrestlers from the IIS programme were also in action during the championship, including Kajal (+62 kg), Suraj (60 kg Greco-Roman, U17 World gold medallist), Sumit (60 kg Greco-Roman, U20 World bronze medallist), and Sumit Malik (57 kg freestyle, U20 World bronze medallist). Their participation added further depth to the competition and provided emerging athletes an opportunity to compete against established performers in a high-intensity environment.
The championship was conducted over a single day, with three mats operating simultaneously to ensure maximum engagement for both participants and spectators. The venue witnessed a packed turnout, with continuous bouts across freestyle, Greco-Roman and women’s wrestling categories maintaining a lively atmosphere throughout the day.
IIS Women’s Coach Kosei Akaishi and High-Performance Director Gary Hall were present at the venue to observe proceedings and scout emerging talent. Events such as the IIS Dangal Championship form an integral part of IIS’s long-term athlete development framework, offering wrestlers exposure to senior-level competition within a structured, performance-oriented setting.
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Speaking on the significance of the championship, Satya Prakash, Head of Operations at the SAI-IIS Hisar Centre, noted the importance of providing competitive opportunities to the next generation of wrestlers. “The IIS Dangal Championship was an excellent opportunity for the next crop of stars.
It was a bit of a challenge for us to organise this event as our elite athletes are currently undergoing a national camp. But we saw this as an opportunity to give the next generation of athletes a chance to compete at the senior level and get a feel of high-quality competition. It was a great platform for future stars to express themselves on the mat and learn,” he said.
Gary Hall echoed similar sentiments, emphasising the role of domestic competitions in nurturing talent. “It’s great to be here in Hisar. This Dangal is a great opportunity for young wrestlers to get involved, test themselves, and do their very best. For us, it’s really encouraging to see the level of participation. We would encourage any wrestler to get involved in this in the future. It’s a great competition run by the team here in Hisar,” he added.
Across the freestyle senior events, Satender claimed gold in the 57 kg category, while Rohit topped the 125 kg division. In Greco-Roman wrestling, Suraj secured the 60 kg title and Vikas finished first in the 77 kg category. Vipin emerged victorious in the 130 kg class. In women’s wrestling, Anjali won gold in the 62 kg category, while Chanchal topped the 76 kg division alongside Nishu’s triumph in the 53 kg event.
Featuring wrestlers from multiple states and developmental programmes, the IIS Dangal Championship 2026 served as an important competitive platform for both established names and emerging prospects, reinforcing its role in strengthening India’s domestic wrestling ecosystem.
