Neha Sangwan from Vinesh Phogat’s village wins gold in U-17 World Championship

Neha Sangwan beat Japan’s So Tsutsui 10-0 to win the gold medal in the 57kg category at the U-17 World Championships in Amman on August 22, Thursday.

A woman wrestler hailing from Haryana’s Balali village and beating a Japanese opponent at the biggest of the stages? Sounds like a familiar story, right? It turns out Neha hails from Vinesh Phogat’s native village, Balali. The 17-year-old beat the Japanese wrestler in the final bout by technical superiority. She was crowned as the champion in the 57kg category at the ongoing youth tournament.

“Vinesh Didi has reached where no other wrestler from the village has. For us, the Olympic Gold was hers and that’s what we want to tell her,” Neha Sangwan, the World -17 champion and World Cadet Bronze medallist had earlier told the Indian Express, showcasing her respect for Vinesh Phogat. It turns out, if not for Vinesh, Neha will bring a gold medal back to Balali village. In the final bout, she overpowered her opponent as she stood out with her double-leg attacks. Neha hardly gave a chance to her rival in the gold medal bout.

Indians shine in u-17 World Championship
Alongside Neha, other Indian women wrestlers, including Aditi Kumari and Pulkit became the Under-17 World Champions in their respective categories. The Indians yet again stamped their class and authority in the prestigious event. Aditi emerged champion in the 43kg, as she beat Maria Louiza Gkika of Greece 7-0 in the summit clash. Pulkit beat Faria Frolova 6-3, who is competing as a neutral athlete in the 65kg final.

Raining medals at tournament

Mansi Lather is another Indian woman wrestler who is in gold medal contention. She will face Hanna Pirskaya in the 73kg final. India also won two bronze medals in Greco-Roman style with Ronak Dahiya and Sainath Pardhi (51kg) ending on podiums.