The international wrestling season moves to Mongolia this week as the Ulaanbaatar Open 2026, the third United World Wrestling (UWW) Ranking Series event of the year, gets underway from June 4 to 7 at the Buyant Ukhaa Sport Palace in Ulaanbaatar. The tournament is expected to attract some of the world’s leading wrestlers, with valuable ranking points on offer ahead of the major championships later this season.
India will field a strong contingent across Freestyle, Greco-Roman and Women’s Wrestling categories, with several young talents looking to strengthen their international standing against elite opposition.
Freestyle Wrestling: Strong Indian Presence
India’s freestyle squad will be led by wrestlers such as Ankush (57kg), Deepak (61kg), Mohit Kumar, Rohit and Sujeet (65kg). The 65kg category is expected to be one of the most competitive divisions, featuring top international names including Iran’s Rahman Amouzad and Bulgaria’s Shamil Mamedov.
The men’s freestyle competition will also see wrestlers from Kazakhstan, Mongolia, North Korea, South Korea and the United States battling for podium finishes and valuable ranking points. Christopher Composto of the USA is among the notable entrants in the 65kg division.
Greco-Roman: India Targets Breakthrough Performances
India’s Greco-Roman squad includes Lalit (55kg), Sahil and Sumit (60kg), Sunny Kumar (63kg), Sachin Sahrawat (67kg) and Anil (72kg).
One of the headline attractions in Greco-Roman wrestling will be the return of Kyrgyzstan’s world-class wrestler Zholaman Sharshenbekov, who is set to compete at 63kg. The division is expected to feature intense competition among wrestlers from Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia and India.
Women’s Wrestling: Indian Women Ready for Tough Challenge
India has entered a talented women’s squad featuring Neelam (50kg), Meenakshi (53kg), Hansika Lamba (55kg), Manisha (57kg) and Neha (59kg).
Several Olympic and world-level wrestlers are expected to compete, including Romania’s Andreea Ana, Japan’s Moe Kiyooka and a strong North Korean contingent. The women’s events are likely to be among the most closely contested categories of the tournament.
Why the Ulaanbaatar Open Matters
The Ulaanbaatar Open serves as a critical stop on the 2026 UWW Ranking Series calendar. Wrestlers earn ranking points based on their performances, which can significantly influence seedings for future international competitions, including World Championships and other major events.
With the continental championships now completed, the focus shifts toward building momentum for the second half of the season. The tournament offers athletes an opportunity to test themselves against high-quality international competition while improving their world rankings.
What to Watch
India’s young freestyle wrestlers taking on established world contenders.
The return of Greco-Roman star Zholaman Sharshenbekov.
Strong participation from wrestling powerhouses Iran, Japan, Kazakhstan and Mongolia.
Valuable Ranking Series points that could shape the international season.
As the action unfolds in Mongolia, Indian wrestlers will aim to convert their recent progress into medals and ranking points, while the world’s best grapplers battle for supremacy at one of the most important events on the wrestling calendar.
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