Aman Sehrawat wins gold at Budapest Ranking Series 2026 in 57kg freestyle
Synopsis
Aman Sehrawat, already India's youngest-ever individual Olympic medallist, added another gold to his collection at the Budapest Ranking Series 2026, dismantling Georgia's Dingashvili 13-3 by technical superiority. With Deepak also picking up bronze in 61kg and more bouts pending, India's wrestling unit is quietly building a formidable international record heading into the Olympic cycle.
Key Takeaways
Aman Sehrawat won gold in the men's 57kg freestyle at the Budapest Ranking Series 2026 on 15 July 2026 .
Sehrawat defeated Georgia's Roberti Dingashvili by 13-3 via technical superiority in the final.
Deepak claimed bronze in the 61kg freestyle , beating Azerbaijan's Nuraddin Novruzov 9-8 .
India remained in contention for more medals in the 65kg category, with Kumar Mohit and Vishal Kaliraman in bronze medal bouts.
India's women's wrestling campaign was set to begin on 16 July in the 50kg and 55kg divisions.
Aman Sehrawat, India's Olympic bronze medallist and reigning U23 Asian Champion, stormed to the top of the podium in the men's 57kg freestyle category at the Polyák Imre, Varga János & Kozma István Memorial Senior Ranking Tournament 2026 in Budapest, Hungary, on Wednesday, 15 July 2026. The 22-year-old overpowered Georgia's Roberti Dingashvili by a commanding 13-3 margin via technical superiority in the championship bout.
Sehrawat's Gold: A Dominant Display
Sehrawat's victory was never in doubt. The 13-3 technical superiority win underscored his growing authority on the international mat. The young wrestler from India has now added the Budapest ranking event title to a résumé that already includes being India's first-ever U23 World Wrestling Champion and the country's youngest-ever individual Olympic medallist, a distinction he earned at the Paris Games. This latest gold cements his status as one of the most complete freestyle wrestlers of his generation.
Deepak Claims Bronze in 61kg
India's medal haul at the tournament grew further when Deepak secured a hard-fought bronze medal in the 61kg freestyle category. In a high-scoring third-place play-off, Deepak edged out Azerbaijan's Nuraddin Novruzov by a narrow 9-8 scoreline, demonstrating composure under pressure in what was a closely contested tactical battle.
More Medals in Sight: 65kg Bouts Pending
India remained in contention for additional podium finishes in the 65kg freestyle division. Kumar Mohit was set to face Kazakhstan's Nachyn Kuular in his bronze medal match, while Vishal Kaliraman was scheduled to take on fellow Kazakh wrestler Ossumzhan Dastanbek in another third-place play-off. Both bouts offered the Indian contingent the prospect of extending their medal count further.
Other Highlights from Budapest
In the 86kg semifinals, France's Rakhim Magamadov advanced to the final with a 10-0 win over China's Nan Cao, though he required medical attention after appearing to sustain an injury late in the bout. He was set to face Georgia's Vladimeri Gamkrelidze for gold, subject to his fitness. In the 74kg semifinals, China's Feng Lu edged Hungary's Murad Kuramagomedov on a dramatic last-second stepout to win 2-2 on criteria and advance to the final against Kazakhstan's Nurkozha Kaipanov, a former 70kg world champion.
What's Next for India at Budapest
Action was set to resume on Thursday, 16 July, with India's wrestlers competing in the 79kg, 92kg, 97kg, and 125kg men's freestyle categories. India's women's wrestling campaign was also due to begin, with competitors entering the fray in the 50kg and 55kg weight divisions. The contingent will look to build on the momentum generated by Sehrawat's gold and Deepak's bronze as the tournament enters its final stages.
Point of View
Pedigree, and consistency: no Indian freestyle wrestler has accumulated this breadth of titles this early. The deeper question is whether Indian wrestling's support infrastructure — selection stability, coaching continuity, exposure to top-ranked opponents — can match his trajectory. The sport has a history of peaking athletes too early or mismanaging their competitive calendar. Sehrawat's team will need to be as sharp as he is on the mat.
NationPress
16 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Aman Sehrawat win at the Budapest Ranking Series 2026?
Aman Sehrawat won the gold medal in the men's 57kg freestyle category at the Polyák Imre, Varga János & Kozma István Memorial Senior Ranking Tournament 2026 in Budapest on 15 July 2026. He defeated Georgia's Roberti Dingashvili 13-3 by technical superiority in the final.
Who is Aman Sehrawat and why is he significant?
Aman Sehrawat is a 22-year-old Indian freestyle wrestler who became India's youngest-ever individual Olympic medallist at the Paris Games, winning bronze in the 57kg category. He is also India's first-ever U23 World Wrestling Champion and a U23 Asian Champion.
Did India win any other medals at the Budapest tournament?
Yes, Deepak claimed a bronze medal in the 61kg freestyle category, defeating Azerbaijan's Nuraddin Novruzov 9-8 in the third-place play-off. India was also in contention for further medals in the 65kg division through Kumar Mohit and Vishal Kaliraman.
What matches does India still have at the Budapest Ranking Series 2026?
Kumar Mohit and Vishal Kaliraman were both scheduled for bronze medal bouts in the 65kg freestyle. From Thursday, India's wrestlers were set to compete in the 79kg, 92kg, 97kg, and 125kg categories, with the women's team also entering competition in the 50kg and 55kg divisions.
What is the Polyák Imre, Varga János & Kozma István Memorial Tournament?
It is a prestigious international senior wrestling ranking event held annually in Budapest, Hungary, that forms part of the global ranking circuit. Results contribute to wrestlers' world rankings and are significant for Olympic qualification positioning.
