U23 World Wrestling: Pujari’s Road to Silver and India’s Growing Success

At the Las Vegas venue of the Under‑23 World Wrestling Championships, Amrita Pujari charted a memorable path to the silver medal in the 72 kg women’s freestyle event. After two swift pin‑fall victories in the preliminary phase, she overcame Vietnam’s Vangjin Kiu in the semifinals, securing her place among the tournament’s elite.

The final pitted Pujari against Ukraine’s Irina Zablotska. Zablotska’s relentless attack left Pujari unable to score, resulting in a 0‑6 defeat. Despite the loss, Pujari’s performance contributed to India’s third medal at the championships.

India’s earlier successes featured Komal’s bronze in the 59 kg division, where she prevailed 7‑2 over Kazakhstan’s Victoria Khusainova after prior wins over Canada’s Ella Mary Finding and Moldova’s Medallina Priscari. Vishwa Jeet More also made headlines with a silver in the under‑23 Greco‑Roman 55 kg class, the nation’s first in that style.

The Indian squad still has two athletes in contention via repechage. Sweetie, after an 11‑2 loss to Cristel Rodriguez Dobler, and Vaishnavi Patel, who was halted by technical superiority against Russia’s Akaterina Koshkina, will battle for bronze against Japan’s Haruka Kobaru and other hopefuls.

Collectively, the results reflect a burgeoning depth in Indian wrestling, with multiple weight classes now producing medal‑winning performances.