Wrestling has long held a special place in Indian sports, bringing glory and pride to the country. Out of India’s 41 Olympic medals, eight have come from wrestling. However, only one of these medals, Sakshi Malik’s bronze in 2016, has been won by a woman.
As the country seeks to nurture more female talent in wrestling, a lot of young stars are coming on the global stage. Here’s a look at some promising Indian women wrestlers who might make it to the LA Olympics in 2028.
1. Mansi Ahlawat
At just 23 years old, Mansi Ahlawat is already making headlines in the wrestling world. Competing in the women’s 59kg category, she recently grabbed a bronze medal at the World Championships. Mansi trains at the Sir Chhotu Ram Akhada under coach Mandeep and has shown her potential by finishing 5th in the Asian Championships 2023. With her impressive performances, she is a promising athlete to watch as she aims for Olympic glory.
2. Monika
Hailing from Haryana, 20-year-old Monika is another rising star in Indian wrestling. She claimed the bronze in the women’s 65kg category at the U23 World Wrestling Championships last year and bagged her second successive bronze in 2024 in the 68kg category. Monika also won silver at the Y20 Asian Championships in 2022 and has participated in the Khelo India Youth Games. With her wealth of experience at such a young age, Monika is a formidable competitor on the mat.
3. Pushpa Yadav
Pushpa Yadav, a 22-year-old wrestler from Gorakhpur, competes in the 59kg category and has made good progress over the years in her career. She recently won gold at the U23 Asian Championships and finished 5th in the Senior Asian Championships. Pushpa’s consistent performances have also earned her medals at the Cadet Nationals in 2018, 2019, and 2020, showcasing her determination and skill.
4. Harshita Mor
At just 18 years old, Harshita is one of the most exciting prospects in Indian women’s wrestling. Competing in the 72kg category, she won a silver medal at the Senior Asian Championships this year. Harshita has made her mark by clinching a bronze at the U23 World Championships in 2023 and gold medals at both the U20 and U23 Asian Championships. Her talent and achievements signal a bright future for Indian wrestling.
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