Gonda, Uttar Pradesh – The 2026 Senior Open Ranking Tournament witnessed a standout performance from Sandeep, who overcame a demanding schedule to capture the Greco-Roman 60kg gold medal at the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) national rankings event held at Nandininagar Mahavidyalaya.
In a highly competitive field across 10 weight categories, Sandeep’s journey to the top was marked by tactical discipline and resilience. His final victory not only secured the top podium position but also reinforced his rising stature in the domestic Greco-Roman circuit.
Tough Road to Gold
Sandeep’s path to the gold medal was far from straightforward. Facing a series of skilled opponents over consecutive days, he demonstrated endurance and strategic edge in key moments. In the Greco-Roman 60kg final, he outwrestled competitor Harsh, earning the victory and the coveted top ranking in his weight class.
Other medallists in the 60kg division included Harsh with silver, while Himanshu and Sahil shared bronze honours, underscoring the depth of competition in this weight class.
National Ranking Stakes High
The Greco-Roman segment, which concluded on Tuesday, featured a range of standout performances across the spectrum of weight classes. Champions emerged from 55kg up to 130kg, with notable results including:
55kg: Sanjeev (Gold) | Sushil Kumar (Silver) | Pardeep & Harikesh (Bronze)
60kg: Sandeep (Gold) | Harsh (Silver) | Himanshu & Sahil (Bronze)
63kg: Vijay (Gold) | Vinay (Silver) | Sonu & Parveen (Bronze)
82kg: Manjeet (Gold) | Umesh (Silver) | Sachin & Deepak (Bronze)
130kg: Mehar (Gold) | Vipin (Silver) | Parvesh & Piyush (Bronze)
(Complete Greco-Roman medal list from WFI release)
WFI President’s Reflections
Sanjay Singh, President of the Wrestling Federation of India, lauded the performances across the Greco-Roman categories, highlighting the tournament’s role in evaluating and preparing national talent. “I extend my congratulations to all the medalists and participants in the Greco-Roman category. The competition we witnessed reflects the hard work these athletes put in year-round,” Singh said, emphasising the event’s importance as a stepping stone for Indian wrestlers on both domestic and international stages.
Looking Ahead: Women’s Wrestling Takes Centre Stage
Following the culmination of the Greco-Roman events, the Senior Open Ranking Tournament has shifted focus to the Women’s Wrestling categories, progressing through late knockout stages to finalise national standings. Competitions in weight classes such as 57kg, 65kg and 76kg feature intense matchups, highlighting the expanding competitive landscape in Indian women’s wrestling.
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