Meet Chirag Chikara: The U-23 World Champion who started wrestling just to lose weight

Chirag Chikkara, a young talent in Indian wrestling, recently made history by winning the Under-23 World Championship in the men’s 57kg freestyle category in Tirana, Albania. His hard-fought 4-3 win against Kyrgyzstan’s Abdymalik Karachov makes him only the second Indian male, after Aman Sehrawat, to take gold in this tournament. Chirag’s journey shows the strength of dreams, family support, and determination.

Early life and beginnings

Chirag was born into a humble family in Juan, a small village in Sonepat, Haryana. At the age of 11, his family noticed his weight gain and decided to put him in a local akhada (wrestling academy) to help him stay fit. His father, Dinesh Chikkara, an electrician, and his uncle, Virender, took this step not as a family tradition but to improve Chirag’s health, as no one else in the family had ever pursued wrestling.

At first, Chirag didn’t like going to the akhada and was even taken there by his father and uncle. But soon, he made friends, and the place felt like home. Within a few weeks, wrestling became more than just a way to lose weight; it became his dream to represent India internationally.

Challenges and journey to success

Chirag’s path in wrestling was not easy. Wrestling requires a good diet and proper training, which was tough to afford for his family. But they all supported him as much as they could. His grandfather, Dayanand Chhikara, a retired teacher, even used his pension to help fund Chirag’s diet and training.

Training in his village initially, Chirag was later spotted by coach Kuldeep Singh at the Indian Navy’s Raipur Akhada in Sonepat. This move was crucial as it provided him with better facilities and tough practice partners. Under coach Kuldeep Singh, Chirag improved his skills, especially in defense and stamina.

Breakthrough at the U23 Championships

At the U23 World Championships, Chirag’s talent truly shone. Ranked number one in the 57kg category, he had impressive wins, including a 6-1 victory over Japan’s Gakuto Ozawa, a technical 12-2 win over Russia’s Iunis Ibatirov in the quarterfinals, and an 8-0 win against Kazakhstan’s Allan Oralbek in the semifinals. In the final, he narrowly defeated Karachov, winning 4-3, while his family watched nervously from home.

Future Hopes for the Olympics 2028

Chirag’s victory has made him a strong contender for the 57kg category at the Olympics. With top athletes like Ravi Dahiya moving to different weight classes and Aman Sehrawat’s plans uncertain, Chirag could be India’s next big hope in this division. Coach Kuldeep Singh has great faith in him, noting Chirag’s strong mindset and flexibility.

As he moves forward, Chirag Chikkara’s journey from a young boy aiming for fitness to a world champion is inspiring for both aspiring athletes and the wrestling community. His success, built on family sacrifices and village pride, brings hope for a bright future and maybe even Olympic glory for India.

Chak De India Wrestling