Prime Highlights-
- Neha Sangwan captains India’s 10-member U23 women’s wrestling squad, wins 62kg trial.
- Mansi Lather secures 68kg spot, ranked among the squad’s medal contenders.
Key Facts-
- Selection trials held across ten weight categories at Indira Gandhi Stadium, New Delhi.
- Squad heads to U23 World Wrestling Championships in Las Vegas in October 2026.
Background-
The Wrestling Federation of India has finalized its women’s wrestling squad for the upcoming U23 World Wrestling Championships in the United States, following selection trials at the Indira Gandhi Stadium in New Delhi.
Neha Sangwan, a 19-year-old former U17 World Champion, will captain the 10-member squad after winning the 62kg trial. The team will compete in Las Vegas in October 2026. Senior Asian medallist Mansi Lather also secured her place in the 68kg category and ranks among the squad’s medal contenders.
The daylong trials drew fierce competition across all ten weight categories, with wrestlers from Haryana, Maharashtra, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh vying for national contingent spots. Three wrestlers from Maharashtra earned places on the team.
Several top wrestlers sat out the New Delhi trials, turning their focus toward the upcoming Senior World Championships selection process instead. The federation has directed that India field separate teams for the U23 and senior events, meaning U23 trial winners cannot compete in the senior selection round.
WFI President Sanjay Singh praised the standard of wrestling on display, noting that closely fought bouts reflected the depth and dedication of the athletes. He congratulated the winners and all competitors, voicing confidence that the squad would perform strongly and bring credit to the country.
Category winners earned direct selection to the national team, while runners-up will join the national camp to provide sparring support and strengthen squad depth. The wrestlers will now gather for a training camp ahead of departure for the championships.
