Vishvajit More Makes History, Enters U23 World Wrestling Final
U23 World Championships: Vishvajit More Creates History
Indian wrestler Vishvajit More scripted a historic moment at the U23 World Wrestling Championships 2026 in Las Vegas, becoming the first Indian to reach a Greco-Roman final at the competition. More secured his place in the 55kg gold-medal bout by defeating Russia’s Malik Gigiev 7–4 in a tense semifinal on October 13.
The achievement marks another major milestone for More, who had already won two bronze medals at the U23 World Championships. His latest performance puts him one victory away from becoming India’s first Greco-Roman gold medallist at the U23 Worlds.
Three Wins Take More Into the 55kg Final
More Begins With a Hard-Fought Victory
More opened his day with a close 10–8 win over Mexico’s Isaac Marin Mata. The victory set up a challenging quarterfinal against Iran’s Armin Shamsipour, the reigning U20 world champion.
The Indian wrestler rose to the occasion, using a four-point throw to take control and secure an 8–1 victory. The result sent him into the semifinals, where he faced another formidable opponent in Gigiev.
Dramatic Semifinal Against Russia’s Malik Gigiev
The semifinal proved to be a test of More’s technique and composure. After an early par terre opportunity, Gigiev countered one of More’s attacks and scored four points. More responded with a front headlock and a four-point throw, moving ahead 5–4 after a video review.
In the second period, More extended his lead to 6–4 with a step-out point. Russia challenged the decision in the closing seconds, but the challenge was unsuccessful, adding another point to More’s total.
The final score of 7–4 confirmed More’s historic entry into the gold-medal bout and brought him within reach of a landmark title for Indian Greco-Roman wrestling.
Koba Karumidze Awaits More in the Gold-Medal Bout
More’s final opponent will be Georgia’s Koba Karumidze, who defeated Kyrgyzstan’s Barsbek Asankozhoev 8–6 in a dramatic 55kg semifinal.
Asankozhoev initially built a 6–0 advantage, but Karumidze fought back to level the score. A late review changed the scoring, allowing the Georgian wrestler to seal his place in the final.
The contest presents More with a difficult challenge, but his three wins on the day demonstrate that he can compete under pressure. A victory would make him the first Indian wrestler to win gold in Greco-Roman at the U23 World Championships.
China Also Reaches a Historic Greco-Roman Final
India was not the only nation to make history in Las Vegas. Wenhao Jiang of China reached the 130kg final, becoming the first Chinese wrestler to qualify for a Greco-Roman final at the U23 World Championships.
Jiang defeated Estonia’s Kevin Uspenski 9–1, using a four-point throw to secure the semifinal win by technical superiority. He will face Russia’s Ali Iliasov, who reached the final after pinning Kazakhstan’s Jokhar Uzarov in the other semifinal.
Iliasov’s dominant run makes the final a major challenge for Jiang, who will attempt to secure China’s first U23 world title in Greco-Roman wrestling.
U23 World Wrestling Championships: What More’s Run Means for India
More’s achievement is significant for Indian wrestling because Greco-Roman has historically struggled to produce the same international breakthroughs as India’s freestyle discipline. His progression to the final provides a rare opportunity to convert an individual milestone into a world title.
The Indian wrestler has already shown his consistency with consecutive U23 world bronze medals. Now, with a place in the 55kg final secured, he has the chance to make history once again.
The U23 World Wrestling Championships 2026 continue in Las Vegas from October 12 to 18, with women’s wrestling and men’s freestyle still to come. For India, all eyes will be on More as he takes the mat for a chance to win a landmark Greco-Roman gold.
