WFI Senior Open Wrestling 2026: New Champions Emerge in Women’s Rankings

The Wrestling Federation of India successfully concluded the Women’s Wrestling segment of the Senior Open Ranking Tournament 2026 in Gonda, Uttar Pradesh, marking an important step in shaping the domestic pecking order ahead of international selections.

Held at Nandininagar Mahavidyalaya, the tournament featured competition across 10 weight categories and served as a crucial platform for wrestlers aiming to break into the national framework, particularly those who missed out on the Senior National Championships.

The significance of the Senior Open Ranking Tournament lies in its role within India’s wrestling ecosystem. Unlike the Senior Nationals, which often feature a more established set of athletes, this tournament opens doors for emerging and overlooked wrestlers. It allows them to compete under high-pressure conditions and stake their claim for future opportunities. WFI President Sanjay Singh emphasised this aspect, stating that the tournament provided a vital opportunity for wrestlers who were previously left out to showcase their talent and push for inclusion in the national setup.

For Indian wrestling, which continues to produce talent across weight categories, such tournaments are essential in maintaining depth and ensuring that selection pathways remain competitive.

The lighter weight divisions saw closely contested bouts, reflecting strong depth at the grassroots level. In the 50kg category, Ankush emerged as champion, defeating Rachana in the final, while Parveen and Ishika secured bronze medals. The 53kg division was won by Nishu, with Himanshi finishing second and Tannu and Taniya sharing bronze. Similarly, in the 55kg category, Nisha claimed gold ahead of Naina, with Tanishka and Khushi completing the podium.

The 57kg category featured a strong performance from Reena, who secured gold, while Kajal Choudhary took silver. Shivani and Hansika Lamba finished with bronze medals. These categories highlighted a steady pipeline of talent capable of competing at higher levels with further development.

The mid-weight categories provided some of the most competitive bouts of the tournament. In the 59kg division, Sito claimed the top spot, followed by Simran in second place. Khushi Choudhary and Pooja Gahlot finished with bronze. The 62kg category saw Vaishnavi Dilip Patil deliver a strong performance to win gold, with Anjali taking silver. Sarika Malik and Pragti Vinod Gaikwad secured bronze medals.

In the 65kg division, Anjali emerged as the winner, while Dishun finished second. Janvi and Kalpana rounded out the podium. These results underline the increasing competitiveness in India’s mid-weight categories, which have historically been strong at the international level.

The upper weight categories also showcased promising performances. Anshu Rajkumar claimed gold in the 68kg category, with Bhateri finishing second and Komal and Khushi taking bronze.

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In the 72kg division, Bipasha secured the top position, while Riya Kaushik finished with silver. Tanu Sharma and Kiran Hooda shared bronze medals. The 76kg category was won by Itisha Choudhary, who defeated Pooja in the final. Meghna and Shiksha secured bronze medals.

These categories are particularly significant as India continues to build strength in heavier divisions, an area that has seen gradual improvement in recent years. The conclusion of the Women’s Wrestling events at the Senior Open Ranking Tournament provides clarity on domestic standings and offers selectors a broader pool of athletes to consider. For many of the winners, this tournament could serve as a stepping stone towards national camps and international competitions, including upcoming continental and multi-sport events.

Equally important is the exposure gained by participants. Competing in structured tournaments helps athletes develop match awareness, tactical discipline, and the ability to perform under pressure. The focus now shifts to how these performances translate into the next phase of the wrestling calendar.

With international competitions on the horizon, maintaining consistency will be key for these athletes. The challenge lies not just in winning domestic tournaments, but in sustaining performance against higher levels of competition. For the WFI, the success of this tournament reinforces the importance of creating multiple competitive platforms within the domestic circuit. The Senior Open Ranking Tournament 2026 reflects the continued growth of women’s wrestling in India.

With increasing participation, structured competition, and a clear pathway to the national level, the foundation appears strong. The emergence of new champions across weight categories adds depth to the system and strengthens India’s prospects on the international stage.

As these athletes progress, tournaments like this will remain central to identifying and nurturing the next generation of Indian wrestlers.