Daijiworld Media Network – Kota
Kota, Apr 20: The city of Kota came alive with athletic fervour as the Under-20 National Wrestling Championship kicked off with high energy at the Raghurai Indoor Sports Complex on April 20. Organised by the Rajasthan State Wrestling Association under the aegis of the Wrestling Federation of India, the championship will run until April 22, featuring the country’s finest young wrestlers vying for national glory.
The event was inaugurated by Lok Sabha Speaker Shri Om Birla, who lit the ceremonial lamp and addressed the enthusiastic gathering of athletes, coaches, officials, and spectators, setting an inspiring tone for the national meet.
The opening day witnessed intense grappling action as athletes clashed across multiple weight categories in Free Style, Greco Roman, and Women’s Wrestling formats.
In the Free Style division, Delhi stamped its authority with Ankush (57 Kg) and Sagar (70 Kg) clinching gold. Haryana’s Sachin dominated the 86 Kg bout, while Punjab’s Jaspooran wrestled to victory in the 125 Kg class. The medal tally also saw strong performances from Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, and SSCB, underlining the balanced competitiveness of the event.
Greco Roman bouts delivered equally fierce contests. Haryana’s Suraj (60 Kg) and Akash (72 Kg) brought more gold to the state’s tally, while Delhi’s Naman triumphed in the 97 Kg category. Wrestlers from Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Chandigarh, and host state Rajasthan also bagged podium finishes.
Women’s Wrestling drew loud cheers with standout bouts across weight categories. Haryana’s Reena (55 Kg) and Priya (76 Kg) struck gold, reinforcing the state’s wrestling pedigree. Maharashtra’s Pragati claimed top honours in the 62 Kg class, while silver and bronze medals were shared by rising stars from MP, UP, Delhi, and Chandigarh.
With two more days of action remaining, the championship continues on April 21, showcasing India’s next generation of wrestling stars. As a cornerstone for talent identification and grooming, the Under-20 Nationals play a pivotal role in charting the course of Indian wrestling on the global stage.