Bajrang to spearhead Indian challenge at U-23 World c’ships

India will be fielding a 24-member strong team during the six-day long Championship with eight each in freestyle, women and Greco-Roman categories.

Indian wrestler Bajrang Punia waves the national flag after winning the gold against Seungchul Lee of Korea in the men's 65kg freestyle at Asian Wrestling Championship at I G Stadium in New Delhi.

Asian champion Bajrang Punia will spearhead the Indian challenge at the U-23 World Wrestling championships, commencing Tuesday in Bydgoszcz, Poland.

India will be fielding a 24-member strong team during the six-day long Championship with eight each in freestyle, women and Greco-Roman categories.

Besides, Bajrang (65kg), the men’s freestyle team would see the likes of Utkrash Kale (57kg) and Dinesh (74kg) vying for top honours.

Bajrang, who returned empty-handed from the World Championships in Paris earlier this year, would be keen to make a mark at the upcoming event.

The women’s wrestling team comprise names such as recent national champions -- Ritu Phogat (48kg) and Divya Kakran (69kg) -- besides having experienced wrestlers in Lalita (55kg) and Sarita (60kg) in the ranks.

Teams:

Men’s Freestyle: Utkrash Kale (57kg), Ravinder (61kg), Bajrang Punia (65kg), Vinod Kumar (70kg), Dinesh (74kg), Deepak (86kg), Vicky (97kg), Pushpendra Singh (125kg).

Woman Wrestling: Ritu Phogat (48kg), Pinki (53kg), Lalita (55kg), Sangeeta (58kg), Sarita (60kg), Reshma Maane (63kg), Divya Kakran (69kg), Pooja (75kg).

Greco-Roman: Gyanendra (59kg), Manish (66kg), Yogesh (71kg), Manjeet (75kg), Deepak Gulia (80kg), Sunil (85kg), Sumit (98kg), Mehar Singh (130kg). PTI CM CM 11201646