How Did Haryana Dominate the Wrestling Medals at KIYG 2025?
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Synopsis
In the recent Khelo India Youth Games (KIYG) 2025 held in Bihar, Haryana emerged as a powerhouse in wrestling, dominating the competition with a total of 21 medals. The success of their athletes, especially under the guidance of coach Pooja Dhanda, has sparked discussions about the evolution of sports training in India. Discover the highlights of this exciting event!
Key Takeaways
- Haryana dominated the wrestling event at KIYG 2025 with 21 medals.
- Pooja Dhanda successfully coached her team to multiple medals.
- Maharashtra followed closely with 17 medals, highlighting strong competition.
- The event showcased the evolution of sports infrastructure in India.
- Young athletes are benefiting greatly from these kinds of competitions.
Patna, May 15 (NationPress) Haryana showcased their dominance on the wrestling mats at the Khelo India Youth Games (KIYG) 2025 in Bihar, concluding with an impressive haul of 21 medals – including eight gold, five silver, and eight bronze – across both boys' and girls' divisions. Maharashtra secured second place with 17 medals, four of which were gold, while the boys from Delhi and the girls from Rajasthan completed the top three in their respective categories.
On the final day, Maharashtra made a significant leap by grabbing seven medals, featuring two golds. Ayushka Pandurang clinched the girls' 57kg title, and Sujay Nagnath Tanpure triumphed in the boys' 71kg Freestyle. Both Delhi and Rajasthan also secured two gold medals each.
In an exciting U-17 girls’ 53kg final, Delhi’s Akshara pinned down Karnataka’s Kavya Tukaram Danwenavar, while Pranjal Dahiya overcame Maharashtra’s Rushikesh Eknath Naik to seize the boys' 60kg Greco-Roman title. Rajasthan’s Ashvini Vishnoi dominated in the U-17 girls’ 65kg category, and Daksh Sharma emerged victorious against Delhi’s Ishu in the boys' 60kg freestyle final.
As the coach of Haryana’s girls’ team, world championship bronze medallist and 2018 Commonwealth Games silver winner Pooja Dhanda successfully led all seven of her athletes to medal positions, including two golds.
“This is my first major event as a coach, and the experience has been truly exhilarating. Our wrestlers lived up to expectations,” stated Pooja. “We’ll analyze our weaknesses and aim to return even stronger.”
Pooja commended the Khelo India Youth Games (KIYG) as a groundbreaking platform for emerging athletes, contrasting it with her earlier experiences and emphasizing the enhanced infrastructure and exposure available to current competitors. “In my day, we lacked such facilities. The accessibility these youngsters have now mirrors what we had to seek abroad,” she noted.
The results are as follows:
Boys:
60kg freestyle: Daksh Sharma (Rajasthan) defeated Ishu (Delhi); Bronze medals: Pranav Krushnant More (Maharashtra) and Tanish (Haryana)
71kg Freestyle: Sujay Nagnath Tanpure (Maharashtra) outperformed Sushant Vashistha (Chandigarh); Bronze medals: Aryan Sharma (Rajasthan) and Moni (Haryana)
60kg Greco-Roman: Pranjal Dahiya (Delhi) triumphed over Rushikesh Eknath Naik (Maharashtra); Bronze medals: Anubhav (Uttar Pradesh) and Sahil Megh (Punjab).
92kg Greco-Roman: Nitin (Haryana) defeated Kaif Bin Salam (Telangana); Bronze medals: Harsh Deepak Thakare (Maharashtra) and Suraj Sambhaji Jamdar (Maharashtra).
Girls:
53kg: Akshara (Delhi) beat Kavya Tukaram Danwenavar (Karnataka); Bronze medals: Saarika (Haryana) and Doli (Uttar Pradesh)
57kg: Ayushka Pandurang (Maharashtra) overcame Kaveri Talageri (Karnataka); Bronze medals: Kavita Mali (Rajasthan) and Antra (Haryana)
65kg: Ashvini Vishnoi (Rajasthan) outperformed Astha Anand Singh (Uttar Pradesh); Bronze Medals: Anshul (Haryana) and Srushti Shivaji Kare (Madhya Pradesh).
Point of View
I believe that the Khelo India Youth Games serve as a vital platform for nurturing young athletic talent in India. The remarkable achievements of Haryana wrestlers in 2025 underscore the importance of investment in sports infrastructure and training, which is essential for our nation's growth in various sporting disciplines. We must continue to support initiatives that empower the next generation of athletes.
NationPress
20/07/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What were Haryana's total medal counts in KIYG 2025?
Haryana secured a total of 21 medals, which included 8 gold, 5 silver, and 8 bronze medals.
Who was the coach of Haryana's wrestling team?
The coach of Haryana's wrestling team was Pooja Dhanda, a world championship bronze medallist.
Which state followed Haryana in the wrestling medal tally?
Maharashtra came in second place with a total of 17 medals, including 4 gold.
