In a landmark moment for Indian wrestling, 17-year-old Yashita Rana etched her name into history books by clinching India’s first-ever wrestling gold medal at the Asian Youth Games, held in Bahrain.
Competing in the Girls’ 61kg Freestyle category, the Delhi grappler staged a remarkable comeback to defeat Zhaidar Mukat of Kazakhstan 6–5 on criteria in a gripping final. Trailing 0–3 early in the bout, Yashita showcased nerves of steel and a champion’s resolve to turn the contest around. With just seconds left on the clock, she leveled the score at 5–5, and by virtue of scoring the last point, claimed victory on criteria the tiebreak rule in wrestling. The win not only secured her a maiden Asian Youth Games title but also marked a new chapter in India’s sporting journey, as wrestling made its debut at the continental youth event.
From Qutubgarh to Gold: A Dream Realized
Hailing from Qutubgarh in Delhi, Yashita’s journey is steeped in grit, discipline, and a relentless pursuit of excellence. Her rise through the junior ranks has been consistent she first made headlines at the U17 World Championships, where she won a silver medal, falling to the United States’ Taina Fernandez in the final.
That silver, however, lit a fire. Determined to stand atop the podium, Yashita pushed herself harder, refining her technique and mental toughness. In Bahrain, those long hours on the mat finally paid off. Yashita’s campaign in Bahrain was nothing short of spectacular. She began with a confident 6–0 win over Akylai Chynybaeva of Kyrgyzstan in the semifinal, displaying superb control and aggression. Her defensive awareness, coupled with quick counterattacks, ensured she entered the final full of momentum.
Against Zhaidar Mukat, one of Kazakhstan’s brightest young wrestlers, Yashita had to dig deep. Mukat’s early points came from quick takedowns, but Yashita adapted beautifully reading her opponent’s movements, holding her ground, and countering with precision. Each of her scoring moves drew applause from the stands, as the Indian corner roared her on to the final whistle. When the score stood tied at 5–5, the Indian contingent held its breath. But the referee raised Yashita’s hand, confirming that she had scored the last technical point sealing gold for India.
Making History at Bahrain
Yashita’s victory was more than just an individual triumph; it was a symbolic breakthrough for India. Wrestling, appearing for the first time at the Asian Youth Games, found its inaugural champion in an Indian athlete. The gold medal also boosted India’s overall medal tally to 26, further cementing the nation’s dominance across multiple sports at the youth level.
Indian boxing also saw an impressive showing, with five boxers including Khushi Chand making it to their respective finals. But it was Yashita’s moment that stood out, her golden triumph representing the culmination of years of investment in grassroots wrestling.
This victory caps off what has been a phenomenal year for Yashita. At the U17 World Championships, she fell just short of the top prize, losing to Fernandez of the USA by technical superiority. Yet, in 2025 alone, she has already reached two major finals, continuing India’s strong tradition of women’s wrestling excellence. With this gold, Yashita joins the growing lineage of Indian female wrestlers who have made the country proud from Sakshi Malik and Vinesh Phogat to Antim Panghal. Her ability to bounce back from defeat and thrive under pressure marks her as one to watch in the coming Olympic cycle.
At just 17, she already has a continental title and a world medal to her name. But for those who’ve followed her journey from Delhi’s dusty akhadas to international arenas, this is only the beginning. As the Indian flag rose and the national anthem echoed through the Bahrain International Sports Complex, Yashita stood tall calm yet emotional. It was a moment of validation for every hour spent training, every loss turned into a lesson, and every dream that once seemed distant.
Result: Yashita Rana (IND) bt Zhaidar Mukat (KAZ) 5–5 (Win by Criteria)
Event: Girls’ 61kg Freestyle Wrestling – Gold Medal Match
