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Indian wrestler Vishvajit Ramchandra More has achieved a historic milestone by winning silver in the men’s 55kg Greco-Roman category at the 2026 Under-23 World Wrestling Championships in Las Vegas, United States.
More narrowly missed out on gold, losing 12–13 to Georgia’s Koba Karumidze in a closely contested final. Despite the defeat, his silver medal marks India’s first-ever silver in Greco-Roman wrestling at the U23 World Championships. He also became the first Indian wrestler to reach a Greco-Roman final at the event.
More produced a series of determined performances to reach the championship bout.
He began his campaign with a 10–8 victory over Mexico’s Isaac Marin Mata, setting up a quarterfinal clash against Iran’s Armin Shamsipour, an Under-20 world champion.
The Indian wrestler stepped up in the quarterfinal, winning 8–1. A four-point throw helped him establish control in the bout and secure his place in the last four.
More then faced Russia’s Malik Gigiev in the semifinal. In another tightly fought contest, More prevailed 6–4 to book his place in the final and make history for Indian Greco-Roman wrestling.
More entered the final aiming to become the first Indian wrestler to win Greco-Roman gold at the U23 World Championships.
However, Karumidze edged the Indian 13–12 in a dramatic contest, leaving More with the silver medal.
Although the gold medal remained just out of reach, More’s achievement represents a significant breakthrough for India in a discipline in which the country had never previously reached the final at this age-group world championship.
India’s campaign at the championships was also affected by visa difficulties. According to reports, nine Indian wrestlers across the Greco-Roman and women’s categories were denied visas to travel to the United States.
Wrestling Federation of India president Sanjay Singh criticised the visa refusals, saying they had affected India’s medal prospects. His remarks were reported by IANS.
The issue added to the challenges surrounding India’s participation, making More’s historic podium finish a particularly notable result for the contingent.
More had already won two bronze medals at the U23 World Championships before this silver-medal performance, according to IANS reporting. His latest result makes him the first Indian Greco-Roman wrestler to reach the final at the competition and the first to win silver in the style at this level.
His achievement gives Indian wrestling a landmark result in Greco-Roman competition and offers a strong performance to build on in future international tournaments.
Source: Hindustan Times and IANS reporting; United World Wrestling’s tournament coverage.
