WFI Names 30-Member Squad To Participate In Asian U-15 Wrestling Championship

The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) has named a 30-member squad that will be participating in the Asian U-15 Wrestling Championship.

The championship will be hosted by Chinese Taipei from November 22-24. The squad has been chosen based on the trials conducted by WFI in Sonipat for the boys, while for the girls, the trials were held in Lucknow.

Team India has dominated the U-15 Wrestling Championship in previous editions. Last year in Iran, in the boys division, India stood third in the medals tally in freestyle after bagging eight medals with Aman being the only gold medalist in 52 kg category.

The girls also put up an extraordinary performance in Japan as they secured 7 medals, including three gold medals from Pooja Rani, Komal and Sweety in the 33 kg, in 36 kg in 43 kg weight categories respectively. In the girls’ category India finished second on the table with hosts taking the top spot.

This year, boys & girls will be seen in action at the same time in the same tournament. India has pinned its hopes on Udit Kumar, 2019 Cadet World Championships bronze medalists in the 57 kg category. The other grappler who has shown promise is Deepak Chahal who will compete in the 75 Kg weight category.

Both Udit and Deepak will be vying to make a mark as this edition of tournament will mark their debut at the event.

The national U-15 freestyle coach, Ranveer Singh Rahal, while talking to the media said that the boys have gone through scrupulous training. He added that the team has worked hard on every aspect of the game. Ranveer further showed faith in the boys as he said that he was certain of a good show and was hopeful of bringing back medals.

In the girls’ division, all hopes will be pinned on Komal in the 39 kg weight category. Komal clinched gold at the Cadet World Championships in 40kg in August in Bulgaria.