SONIPAT: Haryana will have a strong presence at the U-23 Men’s World Wrestling Championships, with 16 wrestlers selected to represent India at the prestigious international event in Los Angeles, USA, from October 12 to 18.The selection of eight freestyle and eight Greco-Roman wrestlers has sparked celebrations among athletes, coaches, families and the wider wrestling community across Haryana.The wrestlers earned their places following selection trials held in Lucknow on Tuesday. They had been preparing for the championship through training camps and intensive practice over the past several months.8 Haryana wrestlers selected in freestyleHaryana has eight wrestlers selected in the freestyle category across different weight divisions.The selected wrestlers are:57 kg: Rohit — First57 kg: Rupesh — Second61 kg: Pushp — Second65 kg: Rohit Kumar — Second92 kg: Nikhil — First92 kg: Vansh Gulia — Second97 kg: Shivam — First97 kg: Sahil Khan — SecondThe freestyle contingent includes wrestlers who finished first and second in their respective selection bouts.8 more selected in Greco-Roman wrestlingHaryana also has eight wrestlers selected in the Greco-Roman category.The selected wrestlers are:63 kg: Gaurav — Second77 kg: Dheeraj Malik — First82 kg: Sachin Kumar — First82 kg: Ashish — Second87 kg: Rohit — Second97 kg: Nikhil — First130 kg: Hardeep — First130 kg: Piyush Sharma — SecondWith eight wrestlers in each category, Haryana has a total of 16 athletes in the Indian contingent.The wrestlers have been undergoing intensive preparations for the U-23 World Championships for several months.Following Tuesday’s selection trials in Lucknow, celebrations were reported at various wrestling academies and training centres across Haryana. Coaches and families welcomed the selection, describing it as the result of the wrestlers’ sustained hard work, discipline and commitment to the sport.Ramesh Bohar, president of the Haryana Wrestling Association, congratulated all the selected wrestlers and wished them success at the world championships.He said the selection reflected the hard work, talent and determination of Haryana’s wrestlers. Bohar expressed confidence that the wrestlers would put up a strong performance on the international stage and bring recognition to both the country and Haryana.“Today’s hard work is the foundation of tomorrow’s victory on the world stage,” he said.He also highlighted Haryana’s sports policy, saying the state provides encouragement and recognition to athletes who perform well.Haryana chief minister Nayab Singh Saini also congratulated the selected wrestlers and extended his best wishes for the championship.He congratulated not only the athletes but also their coaches and families, who have supported them throughout their sporting journeys.With the selection process complete, the focus now shifts to Los Angeles, where the 16 Haryana wrestlers will face some of the best young wrestlers from around the world at the U-23 World Championships.
