Day four of the World U20 Wrestling Championships turned out to be a memorable one for India as its young wrestlers produced spirited performances across weight categories.
The spotlight, however, firmly rested on Kajal, who stunned defending champion Jasmine Robinson (USA) in the women’s 72kg semifinals to storm into the gold medal match. With Shruti and Saarika also reaching the last four in their respective categories, and Suraj showing glimpses of his talent in Greco-Roman, India’s presence at the business end of the competition underscored the depth of its emerging wrestling talent. At the start of the day, Kajal was considered a strong contender for a medal.
But the way she wrestled against Jasmine Robinson, the dominant American who has ruled this category at U20 level, has changed the conversation.
Robinson opened the semifinal strongly, racing to a 4-0 lead with a takedown and an exposure. But Kajal did not panic. Instead, she responded with a brilliant sequence of her own a takedown followed by a turn, cutting the lead to 4-5 after a successful challenge review. From there, Kajal seized momentum. She unleashed two breathtaking four-point throws that left Robinson stunned and the crowd buzzing. Adding two more takedowns, the Indian completed a commanding 13-6 victory, one of the most remarkable upsets of the tournament so far. The win sets up a high-stakes final against Yuqi Liu of China, last year’s silver medalist who eased past Turkey’s Haticenur Sari 13-2 in the other semifinal.
For Kajal, who already owns a U17 world title and silver at the U17 Worlds earlier this year, this is a chance to add a U20 crown to her growing résumé.
Shruti’s Brave Run Ends in Semifinals
Earlier in the day, Shruti (50kg) produced a gritty quarterfinal performance against Anna Yatskevych of Poland. Defending a slender lead in the final 20 seconds, Shruti showed poise under pressure to close out a 4-0 win and reach the semifinals. However, she ran into the formidable Rinka Ogawa of Japan, the 2023 U17 world champion. Ogawa’s superior technique, particularly her leg-lace, proved decisive as she secured a 10-0 win by technical superiority. Shruti’s run ended there, but her ability to reach the semifinals in such a stacked bracket is a positive sign for India in the lighter weight categories.
Saarika Falls to European Champion
Another bright spark for India was Saarika (53kg), who began the day with a confident 10-0 win over Sevval Cayir of Turkey in the quarterfinals. The Asian U20 champion looked in fine rhythm, attacking with precision and finishing quickly. But in the semifinals, she faced the in-form Anastasiia Polska of Ukraine, the reigning European U20 champion. Polska’s leg-lace proved impossible to defend as she rolled Saarika over multiple times for a 10-0 win. For Saarika, this result is a reminder of the gulf that still exists between continental dominance and the demands of world competition.
Nonetheless, reaching the last four ensures she remains in contention for bronze and continues India’s strong tradition in women’s wrestling.
Suraj Shows Fight in Greco-Roman
While freestyle has been India’s stronger suit historically, Greco-Roman also saw a flash of promise. Suraj (60kg) began his campaign impressively, coming from behind to beat Brazil’s Pedro de Souza 8-6 in the round of 16. He followed it up with a tight 3-1 win over Papik Dzhavadian (UWW) in the quarterfinals, thanks to a smart correct throw from par terre. But the semifinal stage proved a bridge too far. Up against Yurik Mkhitaryan of Armenia, Suraj was caught in a headlock throw for four and then gut-wrenched multiple times, losing 9-0.
Despite the defeat, Suraj’s run shows India’s potential in Greco-Roman, a style where consistent international breakthroughs have been scarce.
Global Context: USA, Japan, and Ukraine Shine
While India celebrated its semifinalists, the global narrative of the championships remains defined by dominant performances from the traditional powerhouses.
- At 50kg, American star Audrey Jiminez continued her quest for a long-awaited gold with yet another technical superiority win in the semifinals, thrashing Ukraine’s Diana Rysova 14-3. She will meet Japan’s Ogawa in what promises to be a blockbuster final.
- At 53kg, Japan’s Natsumi Masuda, the 2023 U17 champion, booked her spot in the final after pinning Abigale Cooper (USA). She faces Ukraine’s Polska, making it a clash between Asia and Europe.
- At 72kg, Kajal’s win over Robinson shifted the balance. The weight category, once tipped to be Robinson’s to lose, is now India’s to win.
In Greco-Roman, Azerbaijan’s Aykhan Javadov and Armenia’s Yurik Mkhitaryan, both 18-year-olds, stormed into the 60kg final, while Kazakhstan’s Dias Seitkaliyev and UWW’s Mikhail Shkarin will contest the 82kg gold.
What stands out from India’s performances in Samokov is the depth in women’s wrestling. Three semifinalists in a single day Shruti, Saarika, and Kajal underline how the next generation is carrying forward the legacy of pioneers like Geeta Phogat, Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik, and Anshu Malik.
- Kajal’s giant-killing run shows that India now has wrestlers capable of not just competing, but also beating the very best in the world.
- Shruti’s defensive grit and Saarika’s attacking flair reveal different dimensions of India’s talent pipeline.
- Even in defeat, they are competing in high-pressure matches against world and continental champions experience that will prove invaluable in the years ahead.
As the action shifts to the medal rounds, all eyes will be on Kajal’s final against Yuqi Liu of China. Liu brings consistency and power, but Kajal’s fearless style and big-throw ability could prove decisive. A win would make her only the second Indian woman to win a U20 world title after Antim Panghal’s breakthrough in 2022. Shruti and Saarika, meanwhile, will aim to wrestle back through the repechage for bronze medals. Their ability to finish on the podium would add weight to India’s overall campaign tally and further strengthen the case for India’s women as the backbone of its wrestling program.
The World U20 Championships are often a preview of future Olympic stars. For India, the performances in Samokov are not just about immediate medals but also about laying down a marker for Los Angeles 2028 and beyond. Kajal’s fearless wrestling against a reigning world champion, Shruti’s composure in tight moments, Saarika’s willingness to attack, and Suraj’s fight in Greco-Roman all signal a new generation unafraid of the world stage.
While the tournament’s headlines may also feature dominant American and Japanese wrestlers, India has carved out its own storyline one of promise, resilience, and the possibility of a golden finish. If Kajal can complete her journey in the 72kg final, it could become a defining moment for Indian wrestling at the junior level, inspiring a new wave of athletes back home. Regardless of the final tally, India’s campaign in Samokov already feels like a statement: the future of Indian wrestling is in strong hands.
