The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) has announced a 60-member squad for the 2026 U15 and U20 Asian Wrestling Championships, set to take place in Pattaya, Thailand, from June 27 to July 5. The contingent includes reigning continental champions, domestic league stars, and top junior prospects competing in Men's Freestyle, Greco-Roman, and Women's Wrestling.
Key Athletes and Leadership
Leading the women's U20 team is Mansi Lather, who recently won gold at the U23 Asian Wrestling Championships in the 68kg freestyle category. Known for her aggressive upper-body control and tactical maturity, she is a strong contender for the U20 title. In the men's U20 freestyle division, 125kg powerhouse Ronak brings crucial international experience and will be a key figure in the heavyweight category.
WFI President Sanjay Kumar Singh expressed confidence in the squad: "This is a crucial tournament for us, and we're sending a very solid group of wrestlers to Pattaya. We have picked a squad of 60 athletes who have really given their all in the domestic trials. When you look at athletes like Mansi or Neeraj, they already know what it takes to win at this level. And for the U15 kids, it is all about getting that early international exposure against top-tier opponents. The federation stands behind them completely, and honestly, we are expecting a very good medal tally from this group."
U15 Division and Emerging Talent
The U15 women's division features emerging champions like Vinakshi (46kg) and Dipanshi (58kg), who earned their spots through standout performances at national selection trials. In the U15 men's freestyle, regional prodigies Jatin (38kg) and Arman (68kg) will make their international debuts. The Greco-Roman U15 squad includes raw talents like Paryas Dhounchak (57kg) and Kushal Kajal (68kg).
Greco-Roman and Freestyle Depth
The Greco-Roman U20 team is led by 55kg standout Neeraj Patel, who won a bronze medal at the U23 Asian Championships with an 8-0 shutout victory. He is joined by Suraj (60kg) and super-heavyweight Dishant (130kg). The men's freestyle U20 squad also includes explosive athletes like Pavan Dhygude Dipanshu (65kg) and Adarsh Yuvraj Patil (74kg).
Historical Context and Medal Expectations
The U20 Asian Wrestling Championships have historically been a proving ground for India's future Olympic stars, dating back to the inaugural junior tournament hosted in Hisar in 1981. India's recent success includes a dominant 22-medal haul in Bahrain. The 2026 squad aims to build on this legacy and secure a strong medal tally in Pattaya.
The tournament begins with U15 events on June 27, followed by U20 competitions starting June 30. The complete squad includes athletes across all weight categories in women's wrestling, men's freestyle, and Greco-Roman for both age groups.
