India wins 27 medals at 2026 U23 Asian Wrestling Championships in Da Nang
Synopsis
India swept the 2026 U23 Asian Wrestling Championships in Da Nang with 27 medals and team title doubles in Men's Freestyle and Women's Wrestling — the country's highest-ever U23 Asian haul. PM Modi called it historic on X, and the Greco-Roman squad also posted a record. This is a depth story, not just a gold-medal story.
Key Takeaways
India won 27 medals — 11 gold, 7 silver, 9 bronze — at the 2026 U23 Asian Wrestling Championships in Da Nang, Vietnam .
The Men's Freestyle team won the Team Championship Trophy , finishing ahead of Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan , with 9 medals including 4 golds — India's highest-ever U23 Asian haul.
The Women's Wrestling contingent claimed 10 medals including 6 golds , also winning the team title.
The Greco-Roman team posted its highest-ever medal count at this level with 8 medals .
PM Narendra Modi congratulated the wrestlers in a post on X on 28 May 2026 .
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday, 28 May 2026 congratulated Indian wrestlers for a historic performance at the 2026 U23 Asian Wrestling Championships in Da Nang, Vietnam, where the Men's Freestyle and Women's Wrestling teams both clinched the overall team titles. India's contingent returned with a staggering 27 medals — 11 gold, 7 silver, and 9 bronze — across Freestyle, Women's Wrestling, and Greco-Roman categories.
Modi's Tribute on X
Prime Minister Modi shared his congratulations in a post on X (formerly Twitter), calling it 'an outstanding performance.' He noted that the Men's Freestyle team's 9 medals, including 4 golds, marked India's highest-ever overall medal haul at the U23 Asian Championships in history. He also highlighted the Women's Wrestling contingent's 10 medals including 6 golds, and the Greco-Roman team's record 8 medals.
Men's Freestyle: Champions Ahead of Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan
India's men's freestyle squad claimed the Team Championship Trophy, finishing first ahead of Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan. Gold medals came from Akshay T Dhere (57kg), Vicky (97kg), Kumar Mohit (65kg), and Chandermohan (79kg). Silver medals were secured by Deepak Rathi (61kg), Punit Kumar (92kg), and Lacky (125kg), while Deepak Berwal (74kg) and Mor Sachin (82kg) added bronze to complete the nine-medal haul.
Women's Wrestling: Six Golds in a Dominant Display
India's women wrestlers delivered an equally commanding campaign, winning 10 medals including 6 golds. Muskan (53kg), Tapasya (57kg), Bhagyashree (62kg), Pulkit (67kg), Mansi (68kg), and Kajal (76kg) all won their respective title bouts. Neha (59kg) and Sweety (50kg) secured silvers, while Amruta (72kg) and Ahilya (55kg) finished with bronze medals.
Greco-Roman: A Record Haul
The Greco-Roman contingent recorded its highest-ever medal count at this level with 8 medals. Sumit led the charge with gold in the 63kg division. Suraj (60kg) and Sagar Singh (67kg) claimed silver, while Neeraj Patel (55kg), Sachin (77kg), Rohit Bura (87kg), Rohit (97kg), and Hardeep (130kg) each won bronze.
What This Means for Indian Wrestling
This championship represents a significant generational statement for Indian wrestling at the under-23 level. Winning team titles in both freestyle disciplines simultaneously — while also posting a Greco-Roman record — signals depth across weight categories, not just individual brilliance. Notably, this comes ahead of a busy international calendar, and several of these athletes are likely to be tracked for senior squad consideration. The performance builds on India's growing wrestling pedigree, which has already produced Olympic and World Championship medallists in recent years.
Point of View
And a record haul there suggests structural improvement, not just freestyle dominance. The real question now is whether the national federation and SAI can convert this under-23 depth into senior World Championship and Olympic podiums. Past cycles have seen promising junior wrestlers stall at the senior transition. This batch deserves a clear pathway, not just a congratulatory post.
NationPress
12 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How many medals did India win at the 2026 U23 Asian Wrestling Championships?
India won 27 medals in total — 11 gold, 7 silver, and 9 bronze — at the 2026 U23 Asian Wrestling Championships held in Da Nang, Vietnam. This is the country's highest-ever overall medal haul at the U23 Asian Championships.
Which Indian teams won the team titles at the 2026 U23 Asian Wrestling Championships?
India's Men's Freestyle and Women's Wrestling teams both won the overall team titles at the 2026 U23 Asian Championships. The Men's Freestyle team finished ahead of Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan to claim the Team Championship Trophy.
What did PM Modi say about India's performance at the U23 Asian Wrestling Championships?
PM Narendra Modi posted on X (formerly Twitter) on 28 May 2026, calling it 'an outstanding performance.' He highlighted the Men's Freestyle team's record 9 medals including 4 golds, the Women's Wrestling contingent's 10 medals including 6 golds, and the Greco-Roman team's record 8 medals.
Who were the gold medallists for India in Men's Freestyle wrestling?
India's four gold medallists in Men's Freestyle were Akshay T Dhere (57kg), Vicky (97kg), Kumar Mohit (65kg), and Chandermohan (79kg). Their performances were central to India claiming the team title.
Did India set any records at the 2026 U23 Asian Wrestling Championships?
Yes, India set two records: the Men's Freestyle team's 9-medal haul was described as India's highest-ever overall medal count at the U23 Asian Championships, and the Greco-Roman team's 8 medals represented its highest-ever medal tally at this level.
