WFI names India women's squad for U23 World Wrestling C'ships after New Delhi trials
Synopsis
India's women wrestling squad for the U23 World Championships in the US is set — and Haryana's dominance at the New Delhi trials was near-total. With Maharashtra mounting a strong challenge across multiple weight classes, the depth on display at Indira Gandhi Stadium signals a competitive Indian contingent heading into a global arena.
Key Takeaways
WFI finalised India's women's squad for the U23 World Wrestling Championships in the United States after trials on 31 August at Indira Gandhi Stadium, New Delhi .
Winners across all 10 weight categories earned squad places; runners-up join the national camp as sparring partners.
Haryana dominated the trials, with wrestlers topping categories including 50kg, 53kg, 59kg, 62kg , and 76kg .
Maharashtra secured berths in the 55kg, 65kg, 68kg , and 72kg divisions.
WFI President Sanjay Singh expressed confidence in the squad, also referencing the upcoming Senior World Championships in Kazakhstan .
An intensive preparatory camp will precede the squad's departure for international assignments.
The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) has named its women's squad for the U23 World Wrestling Championships in the United States following a day-long selection trial held on 31 August at the Indira Gandhi Stadium, New Delhi. Winners across all 10 weight categories earned berths in the Indian contingent, while runners-up will join the national camp as sparring partners.
How the Trials Unfolded
Wrestlers from leading wrestling states — Haryana, Maharashtra, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh — competed fiercely through the day. Haryana dominated the mat, securing first positions in multiple weight divisions, while Maharashtra produced a strong showing across several categories. Every bout was closely fought, reflecting the depth of domestic women's wrestling.
Category-Wise Results
Parveen (Haryana) topped the 50kg category ahead of Priyanshi (MP), while Sweety (Haryana) won the 53kg division over Doli (UP). Maharashtra's Ahilya Shinde claimed the 55kg title, with Kajal (Haryana) as runner-up. Neha Sharma (Delhi) finished first in the 57kg class ahead of Simran (Haryana).
Komal (Haryana) prevailed at 59kg over Anjali (Haryana), and Neha (Haryana) won the 62kg bout against Nitika (Delhi). Maharashtra's Vaishnavi Patil topped the 65kg category, while Mansi Lather (Maharashtra) secured the 68kg berth. Amruta Pujari (Maharashtra) finished first at 72kg, and Diksha Malik (Haryana) claimed the 76kg title over Manisha Bhanwala (Haryana).
What WFI President Said
WFI President Sanjay Singh praised the quality of competition at the Indira Gandhi Stadium. 'The level of wrestling witnessed today at the IG Stadium demonstrates the incredible depth and strength of Indian women's wrestling. Every bout was closely contested, proving how hard these athletes have been training,' Singh said. He added that the contingent was expected to 'perform exceptionally well and bring glory to the country' at both the U23 World Championships in the USA and the Senior World Championships in Kazakhstan.
What Happens Next
The selected wrestlers will assemble for an intensive preparatory camp before departing for their international assignments. The runners-up in each category will also join the national camp to bolster squad depth and provide competitive sparring. With the selection process concluded, India's emerging women grapplers now turn their focus entirely toward the global stage.
Point of View
With Maharashtra emerging as the only credible challenger. What the results do not yet reveal is how these wrestlers will fare against elite U23 competition from countries with deeper international exposure. The WFI's decision to retain runners-up in a national camp — rather than release them — is a sensible depth-building move, but the real test of squad readiness will come in the preparatory camp's quality, not the selection process itself.
NationPress
31 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Which team has India selected for the U23 World Wrestling Championships?
India has selected a 10-member women's squad for the U23 World Wrestling Championships in the United States, with one wrestler per weight category chosen through selection trials held on 31 August at Indira Gandhi Stadium, New Delhi.
Where are the U23 World Wrestling Championships being held?
The U23 World Wrestling Championships are scheduled to be held in the United States. The exact city was not specified in the available information.
Which states dominated the WFI women's selection trials?
Haryana dominated the trials, with wrestlers winning the 50kg, 53kg, 57kg, 59kg, 62kg, and 76kg categories. Maharashtra secured top spots in the 55kg, 65kg, 68kg, and 72kg divisions.
What happens to the wrestlers who finished second in the trials?
The runners-up in each weight category will join the national camp to serve as sparring partners and strengthen overall squad depth ahead of the international championships.
What did WFI President Sanjay Singh say about the squad?
WFI President Sanjay Singh praised the depth of talent on display and expressed confidence that the selected contingent would 'perform exceptionally well and bring glory to the country' at both the U23 World Championships in the USA and the Senior World Championships in Kazakhstan.
