India Clinches 44 Medals At Grappling World Cup 2025, Secures Second Place In Medal Tally

India delivered a stellar performance at the Grappling World Cup 2025 held in Astana, Kazakhstan, from June 12 to 15, securing a total of 44 medals and finishing second overall among 13 participating nations. The Indian contingent, competing under the aegis of the Grappling Committee of India, showcased exceptional skill in both Gi and No-Gi categories, reaffirming the country’s rising stature in the global grappling arena.  

Key achievements from the tournament  

- India won 3 gold, 13 silver, and 28 bronze medals across various weight and style categories  
- The gold medalists included Abhimanyu and Neha Shaikh, who dominated their respective divisions  
- Silver medals were claimed by athletes such as Ravi Malik, Daksha, Rudra Hirpara, Vikas Kumar, Priyanka Rani, Vaishnavi Singh, Tanu Rani, and Arpit Rana  
- Bronze medal winners included Priya Rathore, Sahil, Rehan Beniwal, Shubh Beriwala, Smart, Nishant Malik, Mandeep, Kailash Kiran, Praveen Kumar, Sachin, Diksha, Savita, Rishu Nagar, Gitika, Sakshi Tripathi, and Nidhi  

Gujarat’s contribution and grassroots impact  

- Gujarat’s grapplers made a notable mark with 5 medals: 2 silver and 3 bronze  
- Arpit Rana from Nadiad secured one silver and one bronze, while Rudra Hirpara from Surendra Nagar and Priya Rathore from Rajkot added to the tally  
- The Gujarat Grappling Wrestling Association, led by Subhash Dawar, played a key role in preparing and representing the state’s athletes  

The rise of grappling in India  

- Grappling, a hybrid of wrestling and mixed martial arts, is gaining popularity in India due to its emphasis on technique, strength, and strategy  
- Indian grapplers had previously won 105 medals at the 2024 Moscow World Championship, signaling consistent international success  
- The sport’s growth is being driven by the efforts of the Grappling Committee of India, including Chairman Dinesh Kapoor and General Secretary Birju Sharma, who are focused on expanding training and exposure opportunities  

Future outlook  

India’s performance at the Grappling World Cup 2025 reflects the country’s growing depth in combat sports and the increasing appeal of grappling among youth. With continued institutional support and grassroots development, Indian grapplers are poised to become dominant forces on the global stage.  

Sources: Tribune India, The Wire, BNI India.