Indian Wrestlers Claim Six Gold Medals At U23 Asian Championships

Indian wrestlers produced a strong medal haul at the U23 Asian Championships in Da Nang, Vietnam, on Monday (May 25), with Akshay T Dhere and Vicky winning freestyle golds and the women’s squad driving a historic push through multiple finals, as Muskan, Tapsya, Bhagyashree H. Fand and Pulkit claimed titles while Amruta Shashikant Pujari secured silver.

India’s women wrestlers underlined that surge first, as Muskan controlled the 53kg final against Vietnam’s Thi My Linh Nguyen and secured a clear 6-2 win, while Tapsya dominated the 57kg category and sealed gold by fall against Kazakhstan’s Altyn Shagayeva after taking a 4-0 lead, with Bhagyashree H.

Fand later blanking Kyrgyzstan's Tynys Dubek 4-0 in the 62kg title bout and Amruta Shashikant Pujari battling hard in the 72kg final before losing 2-4 to Mongolia's Odgerel Edene Ochir to claim silver.

Freestyle highlights at U23 Asian Championships

India’s charge in the men’s freestyle events came through compact yet composed performances, as Akshay T Dhere opened the day’s campaign in the 57kg class and edged Kazakhstan’s Yelaman Amangeldi 4-2 after a tense tactical contest to secure the gold medal, before Vicky followed in the 97kg division by outscoring Uzbekistan’s Sherzod Poyonov 7-5 in a high-scoring bout that lifted the entire Indian camp.

Indian wrestling momentum at U23 Asian Championships

Assessing the combined results, Wrestling Federation of India President Sanjay Singh praised both the technical and mental strength on display, stating, “Winning two freestyle golds on the continental stage is a fantastic achievement and a testament to the tactical brilliance of Akshay and Vicky. They fought with immense heart today. I am equally thrilled for our women wrestlers who have shown incredible resilience to reach so many finals. This dominant showing proves that the future of Indian wrestling is in very safe hands, and I congratulate the entire squad for bringing such immense pride to the nation.”

Pulkit added further finishing strength in the 65kg events, defeating Kyrgyzstan’s Tynys Dubek 4-0 and then overcoming Mongolia’s Narkhajid Nyamsuren 4-1 to secure another gold for India, reinforcing how both the men’s and women’s squads contributed across several weight categories to a performance that highlighted depth, discipline and promise ahead of future international wrestling assignments.

The day’s complete medal list in Da Nang, with five golds shared between Akshay T Dhere, Vicky, Muskan, Tapsya, Bhagyashree H. Fand and Pulkit and a silver for Amruta Shashikant Pujari, underlined that Indian wrestling carried strong momentum at the U23 Asian Championships and suggested that the women’s ongoing push for a historic medal surge is supported by a wider group of consistent performers across the national set-up.