India scripted history at the 2025 U20 World Wrestling Championships in Bulgaria as young wrestler Tapasya secured India’s first-ever gold medal at this prestigious global tournament. Competing in the women’s 57kg category, Tapasya displayed remarkable grit and determination, defeating Norway’s Felicitas Domajeva 5-2 in the final to etch her name in Indian wrestling history.
Tapasya’s Road to Gold
The rising star’s campaign was nothing short of spectacular. In the quarter-finals, she took down France’s Romaissa El Kharroubi with clinical precision. Her biggest test came in the semi-finals, where she faced Japan’s Sowaka Uchida, a strong contender. In a nail-biting encounter, Tapasya emerged victorious with a close 4-3 win, showcasing her resilience under pressure. The final bout against Domajeva saw her dominate the mat with confidence, securing a 5-2 victory and giving India its golden moment at the U20 World Championships.
Silver Medals for Srishti and Sumit Malik
Adding to India’s medal tally, Srishti clinched silver in the women’s 68kg category. She put up strong performances, defeating Germany’s Laura Koehler 7-3 in the semi-finals. However, she had to settle for silver after a 0-7 loss against Japan’s Ray Hoshino in the final.
On the men’s side, Sumit Malik bagged silver in the 57kg division. He fought valiantly in the final but was edged out 5-8 by Russia’s Magomed Odzamiro, securing India’s second silver medal of the tournament.
Indian Women Wrestlers Shine: Priya Malik and Reena Reach Finals
India’s dominance in the women’s category continued as Priya Malik stormed into the final of the 76kg category with a resounding 10-0 win over Serbia’s Evelin Ujhelji in the semi-finals. Similarly, Reena secured her place in the women’s 55kg final after a commanding 11-1 victory over Romania’s Voiculescu Alexandra. Their performances underline the growing strength of India’s women wrestlers on the world stage.
Medal Tally and Comparison with Last Year
So far, India has secured one gold and two silver medals at the 2025 U20 Wrestling Championships. With Priya Malik and Reena still in contention for gold, India’s medal count could increase further.
In comparison, at the 2024 U20 World Wrestling Championships in Spain, India earned a total of seven medals, including one gold, one silver, and five bronze. The lone gold came from Jyoti Berwal in the women’s 76kg category. Tapasya’s triumph this year not only equals last year’s gold count but also marks the first gold for India at the U20 Worlds in the 57kg category.
A New Era for Indian Wrestling
Tapasya’s historic achievement is a milestone moment for Indian wrestling, showcasing the country’s growing dominance at the youth level. Along with Srishti, Reena, Priya Malik, and Sumit Malik, India’s young wrestlers are proving their mettle on the international stage, raising hopes for future Olympic and World Championship successes.
With this victory, Tapasya has inspired a new generation of Indian wrestlers and placed India firmly on the global wrestling map at the U20 level.
