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Young Indian wrestler Chirag Chikkara won gold while participating in men's freestyle 57kg category at U23 World Wrestling Championships in Tirana, Albania. Chirag's win came out in narrow 4-3 in the closing seconds against Abdymalik Karachov of Kyrgyzstan. With this historic victory, the wrestler has now become the second Indian man after Paris Olympics bronze medallist Aman Sehrawat to win gold at the U23 Championships.
Notably, Sherawat won gold in the same category during the 2022 edition, while Reetika Hooda was the first Indian woman to win gold in the 76kg category last year. After a string of outstanding performances, including victories over Gaukoto Ozawa 6-1 in the pre-quarterfinals, Iunus Iavbatirov 12-2 in the round of eight, and Allan Oralbek 8-0 in the semifinals, Chikkara reached the final in full spirit, thus finishing at the top.
India's winning streak continues at the Wrestling Championships
Speaking of India’s campaign at the U23 World Wrestling Championships in Albania, they finished with nine medals (three bronze and one gold). With two bronze medals in the men's freestyle division and one in Greco-Roman category, India finished fourth in the team rankings with 82 points, behind Iran (158), Japan (102), and Azerbaijan (100).
Vicky won bronze in the men's 97kg freestyle event by easily defeating Ukrainian Ivan Prymachenko, a former silver medalist at the U20 World Championships and European junior champion, 7-2. He was successful in defeating Mahdi Hajiloueian Morafah of Iran in the semifinals, and then went on to defeat Radu Lefter of Moldova 5-0 in the quarterfinals and Merab Suleimanishvili of Georgia via fall in the round of 16.
Similarly, Sujeet Kalkal defeated Mustafo Akhmedov of Tajikistan 13–4 to earn bronze in the men’s 70kg freestyle after almost missing a final berth. Sujeet was successful in defeating gold medal winner Magomed Basihr Khaniev 4-8 in the closing seconds of the semifinal after defeating Georgi Antoanov Zhizgov 10-0 in the round of 32, Tugsjargal Erdenebat 7-4 in the pre-quarterfinals, and Narek Pohosian 6-1. Vishvajit More won bronze under 55kg men's Greco-Roman category, rounding off good tally in the championship.
