Manisha, Neha win gold as India bags 6 medals at Ulaanbaatar Open
Synopsis
India's women wrestlers Manisha and Neha struck gold against North Korean opponents at the Ulaanbaatar Open Ranking Series, while the Greco-Roman squad added two more golds and a bronze. Six medals in two days — and the Men's Freestyle hasn't even started yet.
Key Takeaways
India won 4 gold medals and 2 bronze medals at the Ulaanbaatar Open Ranking Series in Mongolia on 5 June .
Manisha won the 57kg gold defeating DPR Korea's Sim Son 3-1 ; Neha won the 59kg gold defeating DPR Korea's Pyol Hong 5-3 .
Neelam claimed 50kg bronze with a 10-0 technical superiority win over Kazakhstan's Maral Tangirbergenova .
Greco-Roman squad: Sunil (87kg gold), Nitesh (97kg gold), Sumit (60kg bronze).
Men's Freestyle and remaining Women's Wrestling categories begin on Saturday .
Manisha and Neha delivered gold-medal performances in the women's wrestling division to headline India's strong showing at the Ulaanbaatar Open Ranking Series in Mongolia, where the country accumulated four gold medals and two bronze medals across the Greco-Roman and Women's Wrestling (WW) categories on 5 June. The haul places India among the leading nations in the overall medal tally as competition continues into Day 3.
Women's Wrestling Highlights
Manisha claimed the 57kg gold with a composed 3-1 victory over DPR Korea's Sim Son, while Neha edged past DPR Korea's Pyol Hong 5-3 to secure the 59kg title. The wins against North Korean opponents — traditionally competitive in women's wrestling — underline the quality of India's current preparation cycle. Neelam added a 50kg bronze, overpowering Kazakhstan's Maral Tangirbergenova by 10-0 via technical superiority.
Greco-Roman Unit Completes Campaign with Three Medals
The Greco-Roman squad wrapped up its programme with two golds and one bronze. Sunil took the 87kg gold by defeating Azad Salidinov 4-1, and Nitesh claimed the 97kg title with a dominant 13-9 win over Nurassyl Amanaly of Kazakhstan. Sumit rounded off the Greco-Roman tally with a 60kg bronze, defeating compatriot Sahil 5-0 in the third-place bout — an all-India contest that underscores the depth in that weight class.
What the WFI Said
Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) President Sanjay Singh credited the results to rigorous preparation. 'The performances by Manisha and Neha, alongside the three-medal showing from our Greco-Roman wrestlers, demonstrate our competitive strength at the international level. Winning gold medals against top opponents from DPR Korea and Kazakhstan reflects the quality of our preparation. This successful start provides excellent momentum for the rest of the tournament,' Singh said.
Full Results at a Glance
Greco-Roman: 60kg Bronze — Sumit bt Sahil 5-0; 87kg Gold — Sunil bt Azad Salidinov 4-1; 97kg Gold — Nitesh bt Nurassyl Amanaly 13-9.
Women's Wrestling: 50kg Bronze — Neelam bt Maral Tangirbergenova (Kazakhstan) 10-0 (Technical Superiority); 57kg Gold — Manisha bt Sim Son (DPR Korea) 3-1; 59kg Gold — Neha bt Pyol Hong (DPR Korea) 5-3.
What's Next
The Men's Freestyle division and the remaining weight categories of the Women's Wrestling division are scheduled to begin on Saturday, giving India further opportunities to extend its medal count at the ranking series.
Point of View
Not just in the headline freestyle categories. The Greco-Roman unit's three-medal haul is particularly notable — that discipline has historically been India's weakest wrestling stream. Victories over DPR Korean and Kazakhstani opponents carry genuine weight on the international ranking circuit, where these nations are consistent podium presences. The real question is whether this momentum translates to continental and world championship performance later in the season, where the competition depth is sharper.
NationPress
7 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How many medals did India win at the Ulaanbaatar Open Ranking Series?
India won six medals in total — four gold and two bronze — across the Greco-Roman and Women's Wrestling categories at the Ulaanbaatar Open Ranking Series in Mongolia on 5 June.
Who won gold medals for India in women's wrestling?
Manisha won the 57kg gold by defeating DPR Korea's Sim Son 3-1, and Neha won the 59kg gold by defeating DPR Korea's Pyol Hong 5-3.
What did India's Greco-Roman wrestlers achieve at Ulaanbaatar?
The Greco-Roman squad claimed two gold medals and one bronze. Sunil won the 87kg gold, Nitesh won the 97kg gold, and Sumit secured the 60kg bronze.
When does the Men's Freestyle competition begin at the Ulaanbaatar Open?
The Men's Freestyle division and remaining Women's Wrestling weight categories are scheduled to begin on Saturday, offering India further medal opportunities.
What is the Ulaanbaatar Open Ranking Series?
It is an international wrestling ranking series event held in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, where wrestlers earn ranking points that count toward world-level qualification and seeding.
