Aaryan wins silver as India opens freestyle medal account at U17 Worlds
India opened its freestyle campaign at the Under-17 World Championships in Baku with one silver and two bronze medals. Aaryan finished runner-up in the 48kg category, while Prathamesh Suryakanth Patil and Arush Rana claimed bronze medals in their respective weight divisions
Hyderabad: India’s freestyle wrestling contingent opened its account on the fifth day of the Under-17 World Championships in Baku, Azerbaijan, securing one silver and two bronze medals across the 48kg, 55kg and 110kg weight categories.
In the 48kg division, Aaryan delivered a strong campaign to reach the gold medal bout. Facing Kazakhstan’s Bakdaulet Agabek in the championship final, Aaryan battled hard but ultimately suffered a 0-10 defeat, earning a well-deserved silver medal for India.
In the 55kg category, Prathamesh Suryakanth Patil bounced back impressively in the bronze medal playoff. Displaying excellent technical control, the Indian grappler overpowered USA’s Chase Karenbaur to secure an 8-0 victory, claiming a place on the podium with a bronze medal.
India added a third freestyle medal in the heavyweight 110kg category through Arush Rana. The Indian wrestler, who recently won gold at the Under-17 Asian Wrestling Championships, showcased his dominance in the bronze medal bout against Kazakhstan’s Sagyndyk Temirgaly. Maintaining control throughout the contest, Rana secured a comprehensive 9-1 points victory (VPO1) to take home the bronze.
The Under-17 World Championships will conclude on Sunday, with Indian grapplers set to compete for podium finishes in the remaining men’s freestyle categories: 45kg, 51kg, 60kg, 71kg and 92kg.