U23 Or Senior Worlds? WFI Forces Wrestlers To Pick One Amid Tight Schedule

India’s promising young wrestlers will have to make a crucial choice between the U23 and senior World Championships after the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) decided to field separate teams for the two major events.

The decision has put wrestlers including Hansika Lamba, Nishu and Neha Sharma in a difficult position, with the two championships scheduled just days apart. The U23 World Championships will be held in the USA from October 12 to 18, followed by the Senior World Championships in Kazakhstan from October 24 to November 1.

The WFI has ruled that wrestlers who qualify through the U23 selection trials on August 31 and September 1 will represent India at the U23 Worlds and will not be eligible to appear in the senior World Championship trials.

The federation said the decision was taken in the interest of the wrestlers, citing the limited gap between the two competitions and the need to ensure adequate preparation and participation at both levels.

The move is particularly significant for several medal-winning U23 wrestlers. Hansika, competing in the 53kg category, won silver at the U23 Worlds in Serbia, while Nishu (55kg) and Neha Sharma (57kg) secured bronze medals. Srishti (68kg) and Priya (76kg) also returned from Serbia with bronze medals and remain eligible for both competitions.

Young wrestlers often seek opportunities at the senior level to gain experience against stronger opposition, making the federation’s decision a potentially important career choice for the athletes.

Men’s freestyle wrestler Sujeet Kalkal, who won gold at the U23 Worlds in Serbia, has already opted for the senior championship.

The WFI said separate teams would allow athletes at both levels to prepare properly and give India the best possible chance of performing strongly at the two World Championships.