Proud! Vishvajit More Wins Bronze At U23 Wrestling World Championships 2025
Vishvajit More wins bronze in the 55kg Greco-Roman category at the U23 Wrestling World Championships 2025, defeating Kazakhstan’s Yerassyl Mmayrbekov 5–4 in a thrilling playoff bout on Wednesday. His gritty performance added another medal to India’s tally in the global wrestling arena.
A Hard-Fought Battle for Bronze
In a tense bronze-medal match, Vishvajit More showcased exceptional stamina and tactical awareness to edge out Mmayrbekov of Kazakhstan by a single point. The contest remained evenly poised until the final minute, when More held his nerve to secure victory.
Earlier in the repechage rounds, the Indian wrestler dominated Georgia’s Giorgi Kochalidze, winning by technical superiority (9–1) to book his place in the medal round. His aggressive yet composed approach highlighted his growth as a Greco-Roman specialist.
“It was a tough day, but I kept faith in my training and executed my plan,” More said after his win. “I dedicate this medal to my coaches and my family who supported me throughout.”
India’s Mixed Day in Greco-Roman Wrestling
While Vishvajit More’s bronze medal brought celebration, other Indian wrestlers faced a tough day on the mat.
In the 60kg category, Kunal began impressively with an 8–0 win over Serbia’s Roland Varga, but later lost narrowly 2–4 to Israel’s Melkamu Fetene in the quarterfinals.
In the 82kg category, Prince suffered an early exit after losing by fall to Uzbekistan’s Samandar Bobonazarov in the opening round. Despite the defeats, coaches praised the athletes’ progress in technical precision and mat strategy.
Women Wrestlers Face Early Exits
India’s women grapplers endured a challenging outing in the championship, exiting early in their respective categories.
Hanny Kumari (50kg) put up a spirited fight before losing by fall to Sviatlana Katenka (competing under the UWW flag). The bout was tied at 4–6 before Katenka sealed the win with a pin.
Diksha Malik (72kg) went down 3–9 to China’s Yuqi Liu, who later failed to advance, ending Diksha’s repechage hopes.
In the 76kg category, Priya Malik lost 0–10 to American Kylie Renee Welker, who has since advanced to the semifinals, keeping Priya’s faint medal chances alive through repechage possibilities.
India’s Promising Future in Greco-Roman Wrestling
More’s podium finish marks India’s growing prominence in Greco-Roman wrestling, a discipline where the country is steadily improving. The success of young wrestlers like Vishvajit More underlines India’s emerging depth in categories traditionally dominated by Eastern European and Central Asian nations.
The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) commended More’s consistency, noting that his preparation at the national camp and exposure to international tournaments have shaped his tactical discipline.
“More’s bronze medal shows that our Greco-Roman program is maturing,” said a WFI official. “Our young wrestlers are beginning to convert close bouts into podium finishes, which is a positive sign heading into 2026.”
Outlook and Upcoming Challenges
With the U23 Championships marking the end of the wrestling season, attention now shifts to the Asian Championships and World Senior events in early 2026. Coaches believe that More’s bronze will inspire other Indian wrestlers to raise their standards and confidence in global events.
Analysts also point to India’s increasing investment in scientific training, recovery programs, and foreign coaching as key contributors to the recent surge in medal performances.
