CM Fadnavis Hails Amruta Pujari's Silver at U-23 World Wrestling
Synopsis
Kolhapur wrestler Amruta Pujari won silver in the women's 72 kg category at the Under-23 World Wrestling Championships in Las Vegas. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis praised her grit and determination, calling her a source of pride for the state.
Key Takeaways
Amruta Pujari from Kolhapur, Maharashtra won a silver medal in the women's 72 kg category at the Under-23 World Wrestling Championships.
The event is being held in Las Vegas, United States and is organised by United World Wrestling .
Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis publicly congratulated Pujari on 18 October 2026 , saluting her determination and hard work.
Kolhapur has a long-standing wrestling tradition and has produced multiple national and international athletes.
Indian women wrestlers have shown consistent improvement at age-group international championships in recent years.
A daughter of Kolhapur stepped onto a world stage in Las Vegas — and returned with silver. Amruta Pujari, a wrestler from Kolhapur, Maharashtra, claimed a silver medal in the women's 72 kg category at the Under-23 World Wrestling Championships, drawing a proud salute from Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday, 18 October 2026.
Posting in Marathi, CM Fadnavis wrote: 'महाराष्ट्राची कन्या अमृता पुजारीची जागतिक कुस्ती स्पर्धेत रौप्यपदकाला गवसणी!' — 'Maharashtra's daughter Amruta Pujari clinches silver at the World Wrestling Championships!' He added: 'I am proud of Amruta's powerful performance. A salute to her determination and hard work. Heartfelt best wishes for the journey ahead.'
Kolhapur's wrestling legacy on a global mat
Kolhapur carries one of Maharashtra's deepest wrestling traditions — a district where the kushti culture has long shaped champions and sent them to national and international arenas. Pujari's silver at an event held in Las Vegas, United States, adds a new chapter to that lineage. The Under-23 World Wrestling Championships, organised annually by United World Wrestling, is the premier age-group competition globally, and a medal there signals genuine senior-level potential.
Women wrestlers leading India's age-group surge
Indian women wrestlers have been punching with increasing consistency at age-group international events in recent years, turning podium appearances that once felt like upsets into a recognisable pattern. Pujari's performance in the 72 kg bracket fits squarely into that rising curve — proof that the pipeline of talent beyond the senior stars is deepening. Her next challenge will be translating this world-stage credibility into senior national and international competitions.
For CM Fadnavis, the post also carries a quiet strategic note: Maharashtra leaders have made a habit of spotlighting grassroots sporting wins on social media, weaving athletes' achievements into a broader narrative of the state's cultural pride. A silver medal from a wrestler who trains in Kolhapur — not a metro academy — sends a pointed message about where champions come from.
Point of View
Connecting a global podium to a deeply local tradition. For Pujari herself, the CM's visibility amplifies her profile at a critical career juncture, potentially opening doors to state-sponsored training support ahead of senior competitions. More broadly, the recognition of an under-23 women's wrestler — not a cricket or Bollywood headline — signals a slow but real broadening of what 'sporting success' means in Indian public discourse.
NationPress
18 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Amruta Pujari?
Amruta Pujari is a wrestler from Kolhapur, Maharashtra, who competes in the women's 72 kg category. She won a silver medal at the Under-23 World Wrestling Championships in Las Vegas in October 2026.
What is the U-23 World Wrestling Championships?
The Under-23 World Wrestling Championships is an annual international competition for wrestlers aged under 23, organised by United World Wrestling. It is considered the top age-group event in the sport globally.
Where was the 2026 U-23 World Wrestling Championships held?
The 2026 Under-23 World Wrestling Championships was held in Las Vegas, United States.
Why is Kolhapur significant for wrestling in India?
Kolhapur in Maharashtra has one of India's oldest and richest wrestling traditions. The district's 'kushti' culture has historically produced national and international champions, making it a well-known hub for the sport.
What did CM Devendra Fadnavis say about Amruta Pujari?
CM Fadnavis posted in Marathi praising Pujari's 'powerful performance,' calling her a source of pride for Maharashtra, and saluting her determination and hard work while wishing her well for future competitions.
