Wrestling

Neelam Sirohi Claims Historic Silver Medal at World Wrestling Championships

  • Authored By: Sports Now
  • Updated Oct 28, 2026, 20:11 IST

Indian wrestler Neelam Sirohi secured a silver medal in the women's 50kg category at the World Wrestling Championships in Astana after a hard-fought final against Japan's Yui Susaki.

Neelam Sirohi Claims Historic Silver Medal at World Wrestling Championships

Indian wrestler Neelam Sirohi has etched her name into the history books, securing a silver medal in the women's 50kg division at the World Wrestling Championships held in Astana. Her performance on Wednesday saw her become only the second Indian woman to reach a final at this prestigious global event, matching the feat previously achieved by Anshu Malik in 2021.

The 26-year-old athlete faced a formidable challenge in the gold medal bout against Japanese wrestling icon Yui Susaki. Susaki, a Tokyo Olympics gold medallist, demonstrated her superior technical prowess throughout the tournament, maintaining a perfect record by not conceding a single point during her campaign. The final match concluded abruptly just before the end of the first period when Susaki pinned Sirohi to claim her fifth World title.

A Landmark Achievement for Indian Wrestling

Sirohi's journey to the final was marked by a display of grit and determination. She earned her place in the gold medal match after a convincing 7-3 victory over Kazakhstan's Zeinep Bayanova in the semifinals. This achievement is particularly notable as it marks the first time two Indian women have reached the gold medal bouts at the same edition of the World Championships.

The final result against Susaki serves as a testament to the high level of competition at the event. Susaki remains one of the most decorated figures in modern wrestling, with her career defined by consistent dominance on the international stage. While she suffered a rare defeat to India's Vinesh Phogat at the 2024 Paris Olympics, her performance in Astana reaffirmed her status as a powerhouse in the sport.

For Sirohi, the silver medal represents a significant milestone in her career and a major boost for Indian women's wrestling. By joining Anshu Malik—who claimed silver in the 57kg category at the 2021 Oslo World Championships—in the record books, Sirohi has highlighted the growing competitiveness of Indian athletes on the world mat. The tournament in Astana continues to be a platform where emerging talents test their mettle against the world's elite, and Sirohi’s podium finish stands as a highlight of the current competition.