India’s campaign at the world fighting championships in 2025 in Zagreb has been difficult so far, with two days of competition producing no medal. Day 3, however, the hopes of India were relaunched by SUJEET Kumar in the 65 kg and Vijay Suneja category in the 79 kg category.
SUJEET faced a difficult opening opponent at the Iranian Olympic Olympic medalist Rahman Amouzad. In a closely disputed match, Sujeet fought hard but narrowly lost against the Iranian star. With Amouzad reaching the final, however, SUJEET obtained a warming entry, keeping it in search of a bronze medal.
In the 79 kg division, Vijay Suneja also lost her opening fight, but was withdrawn in rehearsal competition after his opponent progressed to the final.
Hopes for India medal at the World Wrestling Championship
The advancement of SUJEET and Vijay with rehearsal rounds guarantees that India remains in the running for medals in free struggle for men. They will now have to win their spare fights to qualify for bronze medal matches.
Earlier day 2 of the championship, India saw Mukul Dahiya finish fifth in the male category of 61 kg after losing the fight of bronze medal 1-9 against Ulukbek Zholsoshbekov of Kyrgyzstan.
Dahiya had been promising by winning his warming match, but did not failed in the medal competition. In the 86 kg category, the Tokyo Deepak Punia Olympian suffered a defeat in the first round and was eliminated after his opponent did not reach the final.
With all the other Indian wrestlers out of disappearance, the emphasis will be firmly put on SUJEET and Vijay on day 4 while they are trying to convert their second chance into podium finishes. Their performances will be crucial for India, which always seeks to open its medal count in Zagreb after a disappointing two days.
Edited by Soyanarayanan SESHA
