World Wrestling Championships 2026: Indian Women Face Tough Day as Neha, Shristi and Tanu Sharma Exit

India endured a difficult day in women’s wrestling at the 2026 World Championships in Astana, Kazakhstan, as Neha, Shristi and Tanu Sharma suffered defeats across the 62kg, 68kg and 72kg categories. 

Competing on an all-women’s day featuring the 53kg, 62kg, 68kg and 72kg divisions, the Indian wrestlers faced formidable opposition, with several established international medallists progressing through the brackets.

Neha was beaten 10-0 by returning world bronze medallist Amina Tandelova of Russia in the 62kg category, while Shristi lost 5-1 to 2021 world champion Meerim Zhumanazarova of Kyrgyzstan at 68kg. In the 72kg division, Tanu Sharma was defeated 12-2 by Poland’s Wiktoria Choluj, one of the favourites for the title.

The results highlighted the challenge facing India’s women wrestlers against opponents with extensive experience on the world stage. While the three Indian entries could not advance in their respective bouts, the day also featured several significant results across the four weight categories.

Neha’s campaign in the 62kg category ended against Amina Tandelova, who secured a 10-0 victory in just one minute and 26 seconds. Tandelova, a returning world bronze medallist, demonstrated her attacking ability by using a lace-lock roll to finish the contest. The Russian’s rapid scoring left Neha unable to establish a foothold in the bout, with the match ending before the Indian could mount a response.

The result was a difficult start for India in the 62kg division, particularly against an opponent who has already established herself among the leading wrestlers in the category. Tandelova subsequently faced Japan’s Nonoka Ozaki in the quarterfinals. Ozaki, a two-time former world champion, won 4-1 to advance to the semifinals and keep her pursuit of another world title alive.

The 62kg bracket featured several other competitive contests. Ukraine’s Ilona Prokopevniuk recovered from a deficit to defeat former world champion Qi Zhang of China 8-5, while Bulgaria’s Bilyana Dudova edged Veranika Ivanova of Belarus on criteria after a 2-2 bout.

Shristi falls to Olympic bronze medallist Zhumanazarova

At 68kg, Shristi faced one of the toughest assignments of the session against Meerim Zhumanazarova, the Kyrgyz wrestler who won the world title in 2021 and has also claimed Olympic bronze.

Zhumanazarova secured a 5-1 victory, relying on two takedowns to maintain control of the contest. The report noted that Shristi repeatedly attempted to engage her opponent but was countered, allowing the experienced Kyrgyz wrestler to accumulate the points needed for victory.

For Shristi, the bout offered a demanding test against a wrestler accustomed to competing at the highest level. However, she could not find a way to overcome Zhumanazarova’s counterattacking approach.

Zhumanazarova continued her run in the competition by defeating American Kennedy Blades in the quarterfinals. In a dramatic finish, she came from behind in the final minute, scored a takedown and exposure, and secured a fall as time expired.

The 68kg category also done of the session’s biggest upsets. Russia’s Elizaveta Petliakova pinned defending champion Ami Ishii of Japan after a contest that saw Ishii initially recover from an early dangerous position to take a 6-4 lead. Petliakova then landed a decisive inside arm throw and secured the fall at 3:31.

Tanu Sharma’s tournament ended against Poland’s Wiktoria Choluj, who won 12-2 by technical superiority. Choluj entered the competition among the favourites for gold and quickly demonstrated why she was considered a leading contender. The Polish wrestler accumulated points through her attacking exchanges to establish a commanding lead and bring the contest to an early conclusion.

The defeat ended Tanu’s campaign in the 72kg category against an opponent who subsequently advanced through the bracket.

The division also featured a surprise result involving Turkey’s Buse Cavusoglu Tosun, a former world champion and Paris Olympic bronze medallist at 68kg. Competing at 72kg, she lost 9-4 to American Precious Bell in the opening round.

Kazakhstan’s Zhamila Bakbergenova, a four-time world silver medallist, progressed to the semifinals with a 9-1 victory over Ukraine’s Nadiia Sokolovska.

The session underlined the depth of international competition across the four weight categories. Japan’s Moe Kiyooka advanced in the 53kg division with a 9-1 win over Turkey’s Zeynep Yetgil Kamal, while Ecuador’s Lucia Yepez defeated Romania’s Andreea Ana 4-2 to reach the semifinals.

At 62kg, Nonoka Ozaki remained on course for another world title, and the 68 kg category saw Zhumanazarova and China’s Jia Long progress. At 72 kg, several established contenders continued their campaigns, including Bakbergenova and Bell.

For India, the losses of Neha, Shristi and Tanu Sharma made it a challenging day on the women’s wrestling mat. All three faced experienced opposition, and none could progress to the next stage based on the reported results.

The focus now turns to the remaining Indian campaign at the championships. The day’s outcomes serve as a reminder of the level required to compete for medals at the World Championships, where even a brief opening can allow an experienced opponent to take control of a bout.