U17 Wrestling WC 2026: Sandhya, Akshara win silver; Avanshika, Taniya claim bronze
Synopsis
India's junior women wrestlers turned Baku into a medal haul — two silvers and two bronzes in a single session at the 2026 U17 World Championships. With Sandhya, Akshara, Avanshika, and Taniya all on the podium, and the Men's Freestyle events still to come, India's U17 wrestling programme is signalling serious global intent.
Key Takeaways
Sandhya Vishnoi won silver in the 46kg category, losing the final to Japan's Kokona Makino by 2-13 .
Akshara claimed silver in the 53kg division after a 0-11 defeat to USA's Marlee J Solomon in the gold medal match.
Avanshika secured bronze in 61kg with a 5-1 (VPO1) win over Kazakhstan's Aruzhan Bakytnur .
Taniya won bronze in 69kg with a dominant 12-2 victory over Poland's Maja Wejchan .
India's total haul from the women's events now includes multiple medals, with Nikita Sehrawat also winning silver in 57kg on Thursday.
Men's Freestyle events begin next in the 48kg, 55kg, 65kg, 80kg, and 110kg categories.
India's women wrestlers delivered a commanding collective performance at the 2026 U17 World Wrestling Championships in Baku, Azerbaijan, claiming two silver medals and two bronze medals across four podium bouts on 31 July 2026. The haul reinforces India's growing depth in junior women's wrestling on the global stage.
Silver Medals: Sandhya and Akshara Reach the Finals
In the 46kg category, Sandhya Vishnoi produced an impressive tournament run to earn a place in the championship final. She faced Japan's Kokona Makino in the title bout but was beaten 2-13 on points, finishing with a silver medal.
A second silver arrived in the 53kg division through Akshara, who was already carrying a bronze from the U17 Asian Wrestling Championships 2026. Akshara advanced into the gold medal match, where she met USA's Marlee J Solomon. Despite a determined effort, she fell 0-11, settling for silver — a strong result that underlines her rapid rise in the weight class.
Bronze Medals: Avanshika and Taniya Deliver on the Mat
In the 61kg bronze medal play-off, Avanshika displayed tactical discipline against Kazakhstan's Aruzhan Bakytnur, winning 5-1 (VPO1) to secure her podium finish. Her controlled approach throughout the bout drew particular attention from observers.
In the 69kg category, Taniya was the most dominant Indian wrestler of the session, overpowering Poland's Maja Wejchan with a commanding 12-2 scoreline to claim the bronze medal. Her attacking intent was evident from the opening exchanges.
Thursday's Earlier Results Add to the Haul
The day's medals built on a strong showing from the previous session, in which India had already secured a silver and two bronze medals. Nikita Sehrawat led that charge in the 57kg division, reaching the championship final before losing 0-6 to USA's Epenesa Elison — the reigning U17 World silver medallist — to finish with a silver.
What's Next: Men's Freestyle Events Begin
Attention now turns to the Men's Freestyle events, with competition set to begin in the 48kg, 55kg, 65kg, 80kg, and 110kg weight categories. India will be looking to carry the momentum from the women's contingent into the freestyle draws.
Final Results (Women's Wrestling):
46kg Gold Medal Match: Sandhya Vishnoi (India) vs. Kokona Makino (Japan) — Sandhya wins Silver (2-13)
53kg Gold Medal Match: Akshara (India) vs. Marlee J Solomon (USA) — Akshara wins Silver (0-11)
61kg Bronze Medal Match: Avanshika (India) vs. Aruzhan Bakytnur (Kazakhstan) — Avanshika wins Bronze (5-1, VPO1)
69kg Bronze Medal Match: Taniya (India) vs. Maja Wejchan (Poland) — Taniya wins Bronze (12-2)
Point of View
Akshara 0-11. The medals are real, but the margins tell a story about the finishing gap between India's juniors and their Japanese and American counterparts. If the federation can close that technical deficit before these wrestlers age into the senior circuit, the medals could convert into gold. The Men's Freestyle results will be the next test of whether this is a broad programme surge or a women's-specific bright spot.
NationPress
1 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How many medals did India win at the 2026 U17 World Wrestling Championships on 31 July?
India won four medals on 31 July 2026 — two silvers and two bronzes — across the 46kg, 53kg, 61kg, and 69kg women's wrestling categories at the U17 World Championships in Baku, Azerbaijan.
Who won silver medals for India at the U17 Wrestling World Championships 2026?
Sandhya Vishnoi won silver in the 46kg category and Akshara won silver in the 53kg category. Both reached their respective gold medal matches before losing to Japanese and American opponents respectively.
Who won bronze medals for India at the U17 Wrestling World Championships 2026?
Avanshika won bronze in the 61kg category with a 5-1 win over Kazakhstan's Aruzhan Bakytnur, and Taniya won bronze in the 69kg category with a 12-2 victory over Poland's Maja Wejchan.
What is Akshara's recent medal record in junior wrestling?
Akshara won a bronze medal at the U17 Asian Wrestling Championships 2026 and has now added a silver medal at the 2026 U17 World Championships in the 53kg category, marking a strong run of form at the junior level.
What events are next at the 2026 U17 World Wrestling Championships in Baku?
The Men's Freestyle events are next, with competition scheduled in the 48kg, 55kg, 65kg, 80kg, and 110kg weight categories following the conclusion of the women's wrestling bouts.
