India Names Strong U-17 Wrestling Squad for Wrestling World Championships in Baku After Intense Selection Trials

The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) has officially unveiled the Indian contingent for the U-17 World Wrestling Championships 2026, set to be held in Baku, Azerbaijan, from July 27 to August 2. 

Following fiercely contested national selection trials in Sonipat and Lucknow, the federation has chosen the country’s brightest young talents across women’s wrestling, men’s freestyle, and Greco-Roman categories.

With India entering the championships on the back of outstanding performances in recent editions, expectations are high that this young squad can continue the nation’s rise as a global force in age-group wrestling. The championships will provide another opportunity for India’s emerging wrestlers to showcase their skills on the world stage while building momentum for future senior international competitions.

The U-17 World Championships have become a particularly happy hunting ground for Indian wrestling in recent years. In 2024, the Indian women’s team created history by capturing its first-ever overall team title in Amman with an impressive tally of five gold medals, one silver and two bronze medals to finish with 185 points.

The success continued in 2025, when India successfully defended the women’s team championship in Athens while recording an overall haul of nine medals across disciplines, including four golds, four silvers and one bronze. Those achievements have significantly raised expectations ahead of the 2026 edition, where India will be aiming for an unprecedented third consecutive women’s team title while challenging for medals in men’s freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling as well.

The women’s selection trials highlighted the extraordinary depth of wrestling talent emerging from Haryana. Athletes from the state secured first place in six of the ten weight categories, underlining Haryana’s continued status as India’s wrestling powerhouse.

Among the standout performers were Diksha (43kg) and Garima (73kg), both of whom topped their respective divisions with commanding displays during the trials. The women’s squad also includes Rohini Khanu Devba of Maharashtra, who earned selection in the 36–40kg category, Sandhya of Rajasthan in 46kg, and Delhi’s representatives Kamna Babal (49kg) and Akshara (53kg).

Additional Haryana wrestlers such as Nikita Sehrawat, Avanshika, Antra and Taniya complete a formidable lineup capable of competing with the world’s best junior wrestlers.

Competition in the men’s freestyle trials proved equally intense. Haryana once again emerged as the dominant state, producing winners in multiple categories including Satinder (60kg), Krishan (65kg), Anuj (71kg), Saksham (92kg) and heavyweight Arush Rana (110kg).

Uttar Pradesh secured two important spots through Aaryan (48kg) and Deepanshu Khokhar (80kg), while Hanumant Rajendra of Maharashtra, Govind of Delhi, and Prathmesh from SSCB also booked their places in the national squad.

The selection process ensured that every wrestler earned their berth through merit, creating a highly competitive team for the world championships.

If Haryana dominated freestyle, Maharashtra emerged as the standout performer in Greco-Roman wrestling. The state claimed five of the ten available spots, including selections for Sachin Shirole (45kg), Avinash Chetak (48kg), Dhiraj Dhapale (51kg), Darpan Chaudhari (60kg) and Rajvardhan Patil (92kg).

The remaining positions went to wrestlers representing Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Punjab and Haryana, creating a balanced squad capable of challenging traditional Greco-Roman powers.

India’s recent improvements in Greco-Roman wrestling have been encouraging, and the federation will hope the young athletes can continue that upward trajectory in Baku. Following the announcement of the team, Wrestling Federation of India President Sanjay Kumar Singh praised the depth displayed during the trials and expressed confidence in the selected athletes.

According to the federation, the rigorous and transparent selection process ensured that only the country’s best-performing junior wrestlers earned the opportunity to represent India at the World Championships. The competitive nature of the trials also reflects the healthy pipeline of talent developing across various states and training centres.

Age-group competitions such as the U-17 World Championships have historically played an important role in shaping India’s future senior stars. Many of the country’s Olympic and World Championship medallists first gained international experience through junior events, making success in Baku an important stepping stone for these young wrestlers.

Competing against elite international opposition will provide invaluable exposure while helping athletes adapt to the technical and psychological demands of world-level competition.

Perhaps the biggest storyline heading into Baku will be India’s pursuit of a third consecutive women’s team championship. Having dominated the last two editions, the Indian women’s squad enters the tournament carrying the weight of expectation but also the confidence that comes from recent success.

The combination of Haryana’s exceptional depth and contributions from states such as Maharashtra, Delhi and Rajasthan gives India a well-rounded lineup capable of challenging across multiple weight classes.

With the squad now finalised, preparations will intensify before the team departs for Azerbaijan later this summer.

The blend of proven junior performers, dominant trial winners and wrestlers from traditional powerhouses such as Haryana and Maharashtra gives India every reason to be optimistic about another successful campaign.

https://www.indiasportshub.com/articles/india-finish-ulaanbaatar-open-with-17-medals-as-freestyle-wrestlers-shine-on-final-day

As the next generation of Indian wrestling talent prepares to take centre stage, the U-17 World Championships in Baku represent more than just another tournament—they are an opportunity to reinforce India’s growing reputation as one of the world’s leading wrestling nations and lay the foundation for future Olympic and World Championship success.