India clinched historic title of U-17 World Wrestling Championships on Saturday, August 24, as Kajal became the fifth wrestler from the country to bag the title. India lifted the title with 185 points. Kajal registered a 9-2 win over Ukraine’s Oleksandra Rybak in the 69kg weight category. However, Shrutika had to settle for silver in the 46kg category after losing to Japan’s Yuu Katsume who won the match in just 40 seconds.
On the other hand, Raj Bala grabbed the bronze medal in the 40 kg category by registering a 11-5 win over Japan's Monaka Umekawa, whereas Muskan took down USA’s Isabella Gonzales by technical superiority in the 53kg bronze medal match. Another member of the Indian contingent, Rajnita lost the women’s 61 kg bronze-medal match ‘by fall’ to Azerbaijan’s Hiuani Hurbanova.
She turned out to be the only one to miss out on a medal in a successful edition for Indian women. Overall, Indian women signed off with eight medals, which includes five gold, one silver and three bronze and collected 185 points to finish on the top of the team tally for the first time ever. Japan finished second with 146 points and Kazakhstan stood third with 79 points.
Earlier on Friday, Aditi Kumari (43kg), Neha (57kg), Pulkit (65kg) and Mansi Lather (73kg) had won titles in their respective categories. While Indian women’s team enjoyed a successful campaign, Indian men couldn’t replicate the success as none of the five freestyle grapplers could make it to the semis.
