Haryana sweep all 3 team titles at 2026 U-23 Wrestling Nationals
Synopsis
Haryana did not just win at the 2026 U-23 National Wrestling Championships in Rohtak — they swept every team title on offer. With 200 points in freestyle, 195 in Greco-Roman, and 183 in women's wrestling, the state's clean sweep signals a deep, multi-discipline talent pipeline that has direct implications for India's U-23 and U-20 World Championship squads.
Key Takeaways
Haryana won all three team titles at the 2026 U-23 National Wrestling Championships held in Rohtak on 14 July 2026 .
Points tally: 200 (Men's Freestyle), 195 (Greco-Roman), 183 (Women's Wrestling).
SSCB finished runners-up in both men's disciplines; Maharashtra was second in women's wrestling.
Piyush Kumar of Haryana won a remarkable double gold in the 97kg and 130kg Greco-Roman categories.
Championship winners are in contention for the upcoming U-23 World Wrestling Championships ; selection trials will determine final squads.
Haryana completed a historic clean sweep at the 2026 U-23 National Wrestling Championships in Rohtak on 14 July 2026, finishing atop the standings in men's freestyle, Greco-Roman, and women's wrestling to claim all three team titles at the three-day event. It is a commanding result that underlines the state's enduring dominance in Indian wrestling.
Team Standings and Points Tally
Haryana accumulated 200 points to win the Men's Freestyle title, followed by 195 points in Greco-Roman, and 183 points in Women's Wrestling. The Services Sports Control Board (SSCB) finished runners-up in both men's disciplines, posting 138 points in freestyle and 165 points in Greco-Roman. Maharashtra claimed second place in the women's competition with 160 points. Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan completed the podium in men's freestyle, Greco-Roman, and women's wrestling, respectively.
Standout Performers Across Styles
In Men's Freestyle, Paras took gold in the 79kg category, with Yash (74kg), Himanshu Antil (86kg), and Rohit (125kg) adding podium finishes for Haryana. SSCB's Narender (74kg) and Sahil Dalal (86kg), along with Punjab's Jaspooran Singh (125kg), were among the other gold medallists in featured weight divisions.
Haryana were equally formidable in Greco-Roman, where Nikhil (55kg), Vinit Dahiya (72kg), Tushar (77kg), and Piyush Kumar claimed gold. Notably, Piyush delivered a memorable campaign by winning both the 97kg and 130kg titles. SSCB collected golds through Khundongbam (60kg), Sagar Singh (67kg), and Deepak Punia (82kg), while Maharashtra's Vinay Vitthal Pujari emerged champion in the 87kg division.
In women's wrestling, Haryana's Kirti (53kg), Jyoti (55kg), Reena (57kg), and Simran (59kg) all won gold. Other champions included Madhya Pradesh's Priyanshi Prajapat (50kg), SSCB's Anjali (62kg), Chandigarh's Khushi Rani (65kg), Rajasthan's Ashwini Vishnoi (68kg), and Maharashtra's Amruta (72kg) and Vedika (76kg).
WFI President Hails Talent Depth
Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president Sanjay Kumar Singh praised the quality on display, saying the championships had revealed the breadth of India's under-23 talent pool. 'The exceptional standard of competition witnessed here highlights the incredible depth in our U23 ranks. Haryana's clean sweep across all three styles underscores their robust training pipeline, while institutions like Services and various state teams continue to push the benchmarks higher. The federation is fully committed to providing these top performers with elite international exposure as they transition to the senior level,' Singh said.
Selection Implications and What Comes Next
Beyond the medals, the championships carry significant selection stakes. Winners from the U-23 National Wrestling Championships are expected to be in contention for the upcoming U-23 World Wrestling Championships. Wrestlers in the 18-20 age group who performed strongly could also earn berths at the U-20 World Championships, subject to the outcome of forthcoming selection trials. With Haryana producing champions across all three disciplines, the state's wrestlers are well-placed to represent India on the world stage.
Point of View
Grassroots feeder programmes, and a culture that treats the sport as a viable career path. What is notable this year is the margin: winning all three disciplines by comfortable points gaps suggests the state is not just producing individual champions but depth across weight categories. The real question is whether WFI's promise of 'elite international exposure' translates into funded training camps and competitive international calendars before the U-23 World Championships, or remains an aspiration. India's wrestling pipeline has historically been strong at the junior level but has struggled with the transition to senior podiums — and that gap is exactly where these 2026 champions will be tested.
NationPress
14 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the 2026 U-23 National Wrestling Championships team title?
Haryana won all three team titles at the 2026 U-23 National Wrestling Championships held in Rohtak on 14 July 2026. The state scored 200 points in men's freestyle, 195 in Greco-Roman, and 183 in women's wrestling to complete a clean sweep.
Where were the 2026 U-23 Wrestling Nationals held?
The 2026 U-23 National Wrestling Championships were held in Rohtak, Haryana, over three days, concluding on 14 July 2026.
Which team finished second at the U-23 Wrestling Nationals?
The Services Sports Control Board (SSCB) finished runners-up in both men's freestyle (138 points) and Greco-Roman (165 points). Maharashtra claimed second place in the women's competition with 160 points.
What are the selection implications of the U-23 Wrestling Nationals?
Winners from the U-23 National Wrestling Championships are expected to be in contention for the upcoming U-23 World Wrestling Championships. Wrestlers aged 18-20 who performed strongly may also be considered for the U-20 World Championships, subject to forthcoming selection trials.
Which individual wrestlers stood out at the 2026 U-23 Wrestling Nationals?
Haryana's Piyush Kumar was the standout individual, winning gold in both the 97kg and 130kg Greco-Roman categories. Other notable champions included Paras (79kg freestyle), Kirti, Jyoti, Reena, and Simran in women's wrestling, and Deepak Punia of SSCB in the 82kg Greco-Roman division.
