The 16-year-old received the heaviest weight class Greco Roman gold medal for India at the under-17 degree. Vinod Kumar (45kg, 1980), Pappu Yadav (51kg, 1992) and Suraj (55kg, 2022) have been the earlier champions.
“I’m very comfortable to have achieved this,” a shy Hardeep informed The Hindu.
Hardeep, a reigning Asian under-17 champion, defeated Kazakhstan’s Baktur Sovetkhan 2-0, Poland’s Mateusz Tomelka 4-2, Ukraine’s Anatolii Novachenko 9-0 and Turkey’s Emrullah Capkan 4-2 to succeed in the ultimate. He rallied to beat Iranian Yazdan Reza Delrouz 3-3 by way of standards within the summit conflict to safe the lone Greco Roman medal for India.
“Even although he trains in freestyle and Greco Roman, Hardeep’s heavy higher physique helps him in Greco Roman. One who by no means offers up, he fought some robust bouts. The remaining one was the hardest. He has a brilliant future,” stated nationwide group coach Ajay Singh.
Hardeep, who misplaced his mother and father at an early age, saved up his household custom to take to wrestling and honed his expertise below coach Dharmender Dalal on the Hind Kesari Sonu Akhada in Bahadurgarh.
“Without any sponsorship, we strive our greatest to assist him in order that he could make the nation proud,” stated Hardeep’s uncle Jasveer.
Published – July 30, 2025 06:55 pm IST
