India's PWL wrestlers target U-17 & U-23 Asian Wrestling Championships in Da Nang
Synopsis
Four PWL 2026 standouts — including reigning U-23 Asian champion Chandermohan and U20 World Champion Kajal — headline India's squad for the U-17 & U-23 Asian Wrestling Championships in Da Nang. Their selection is the clearest signal yet that the Pro Wrestling League has become a genuine feeder pipeline for India's international wrestling ambitions.
Key Takeaways
India competes at the U-17 & U-23 Asian Wrestling Championships in Da Nang, Vietnam , from 23 to 31 May .
Chandermohan (Punjab Royals), reigning U-23 Asian champion, competes in the 79kg freestyle category.
Sachin Mor (Haryana Thunders) represents India in the 86kg U-23 men's freestyle category.
Kajal (Haryana Thunders, 76kg ) is a reigning U20 World Champion , U17 World Champion , and U20 Asian Champion .
Neha (Haryana Thunders, 59kg ) holds a U20 World Championships bronze and U17 Asian gold .
Multiple PWL 2026 athletes in the squad highlight the league's role as a key development pathway for Indian wrestling.
India will field a strong wrestling contingent at the U-17 & U-23 Asian Wrestling Championships in Da Nang, Vietnam, from 23 to 31 May, with several athletes from the Pro Wrestling League (PWL) 2026 season set to represent the country at the continental stage. Among the most closely watched names are Chandermohan, Sachin Mor, Neha, and Kajal — all of whom featured prominently in PWL 2026.
Key Wrestlers to Watch
In the U-23 men's freestyle category, Chandermohan of Punjab Royals — the reigning U-23 Asian champion — will compete in the 79kg division. Sachin Mor of Haryana Thunders, part of the franchise's title-winning PWL 2026 campaign, will represent India in the 86kg category.
The U-23 women's contingent features fellow Haryana Thunders wrestlers Neha (59kg) and Kajal (76kg), both integral to the franchise's championship-winning run this season.
Stellar Credentials of the Women's Squad
Neha arrives in Da Nang with a well-established international record, having claimed a bronze medal at the U20 World Championships and a gold at the U17 Asian Championships. Kajal carries even weightier credentials — she is a reigning U20 World Champion, U17 World Champion, and U20 Asian Champion, making her one of India's most decorated young wrestlers heading into the tournament.
PWL's Role in Shaping India's Wrestling Pipeline
The selection of multiple PWL athletes for this championships underscores the league's growing influence beyond franchise competition. A defining feature of PWL has been its ability to place emerging Indian wrestlers alongside elite international talent — providing exposure to high-pressure match situations, professional sporting structures, and world-class training environments that build tactical maturity and competitive confidence.
Since its return, PWL has positioned itself as an athlete-first ecosystem aimed at bridging grassroots Indian wrestling with the global stage. PWL CEO and Promoter Akhil Gupta has previously articulated the league's long-term vision of building a sustainable professional structure capable of supporting and elevating emerging talent toward success at the Asian, World, and Olympic levels.
What to Expect in Da Nang
The championships will draw Asia's top emerging wrestlers across age groups, with India aiming for a strong medal haul over the nine-day event. The performance of PWL-trained athletes will be a closely watched indicator of the league's developmental impact at the continental level.
Point of View
Compressing years of development into a single season. Kajal's trophy cabinet at her age is extraordinary by any measure, and the fact that she and Chandermohan are both PWL products heading into a continental championship raises a pointed question for Wrestling Federation of India: is the league now doing more structured talent development than the national camp system? The answer, if the Da Nang results hold up, will be hard to ignore.
NationPress
11 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where are the U-17 & U-23 Asian Wrestling Championships 2025 being held?
The championships are being held in Da Nang, Vietnam, from 23 to 31 May. The event features Asia's top emerging wrestlers across U-17 and U-23 age groups.
Which Indian wrestlers from PWL are competing in Da Nang?
Four prominent PWL 2026 athletes are part of India's squad: Chandermohan (79kg, U-23 freestyle), Sachin Mor (86kg, U-23 freestyle), Neha (59kg, U-23 women's), and Kajal (76kg, U-23 women's). All four represented Haryana Thunders or Punjab Royals in PWL 2026.
What are Kajal's international achievements heading into the championships?
Kajal arrives in Da Nang as a reigning U20 World Champion, U17 World Champion, and U20 Asian Champion, making her one of India's most decorated young wrestlers. She competes in the 76kg U-23 women's category.
What is Chandermohan's standing ahead of the U-23 Asian Championships?
Chandermohan is the reigning U-23 Asian champion and will defend his title in the 79kg men's freestyle category. He represented Punjab Royals in the PWL 2026 season.
How has the Pro Wrestling League contributed to Indian wrestling's development?
PWL has provided young Indian wrestlers with access to elite international training environments, high-pressure competition alongside world-class talent, and professional sporting structures. PWL CEO Akhil Gupta has stated the league's long-term goal is to build a sustainable ecosystem that prepares Indian wrestlers for success at Asian, World, and Olympic levels.
