Vishvajit More first Indian in Greco-Roman final at U23 Wrestling Worlds
Representative image: 12019 / Pixabay
Vishvajit More beat Iranian and Russian rivals to become the first Indian in a Greco-Roman final at the U23 Worlds in Las Vegas, United World Wrestling said on 13 October 2026.
What Happened
Indian wrestler Vishvajit More has become the first Indian to reach a Greco-Roman final at the U23 World Wrestling Championships, according to United World Wrestling, the sport's world governing body, which reported his run on 13 October 2026. Competing at 55kg in Las Vegas, More beat a Mexican opponent in his opening bout, defeated Iran's Armin Shamsipour 8-1 in the quarter-final and then edged Russia's Malik Gigiev 6-4 in the semi-final. Reaching the final guarantees him at least a silver medal. He will face Georgia's Koba Karumidze for the gold.
Key Facts
- Event: U23 World Wrestling Championships, Las Vegas, United States, 12 to 18 October 2026.
- Vishvajit More is the first Indian to reach a Greco-Roman final at the U23 World Championships, according to United World Wrestling.
- Route: a win over a Mexican wrestler, an 8-1 quarter-final win over Iran's Armin Shamsipour, and a 6-4 semi-final win over Russia's Malik Gigiev.
- The semi-final turned on a four-point throw from a front headlock that put More ahead 5-4 after a long video review.
- Final opponent: Georgia's Koba Karumidze, who came through the other half of the 55kg draw.
- More won bronze medals at the 2024 U23 Worlds in Tirana, Albania, and the 2025 edition in Novi Sad, Serbia.
Why It Matters
Greco-Roman, the style in which wrestlers may not attack the legs and must rely on upper-body throws and holds, has been a hard field for Indian athletes at this level, which is why a first final is notable. More's progress from two straight bronze medals to a guaranteed silver at under-23 level is a clear step up. A gold would make him the first Indian to win a Greco-Roman world title in this age group, according to the governing body's report.
The manner of his wins matters too. Beating wrestlers from Iran and Russia shows he can win against strong opponents in the division. His semi-final throw under pressure, after a long review, is the kind of moment that builds an athlete's belief before senior competition.
The result is also notable because India's preparation for this championship was disrupted. Before the event, nine of the 16 Indian wrestlers who attended visa interviews at the US Embassy in New Delhi were refused visas, which affected the Greco-Roman and women's squads. More's run shows what Indian wrestlers can achieve when they reach the mat.
For young athletes, More's path is an example of steady progress at age-group level, two bronze medals and now a final.
| | Round | Opponent | Result | |
|---|---|---|
| | Opening bout | Mexican wrestler | Won | |
| | Quarter-final | Armin Shamsipour (Iran) | Won 8-1 | |
| | Semi-final | Malik Gigiev (Russia) | Won 6-4 | |
| | Final | Koba Karumidze (Georgia) | To be wrestled | |
Impact
Short-term: More is assured of at least a silver medal and will wrestle Koba Karumidze for gold in Las Vegas.
Long-term: A medal of this colour could raise attention and support for Greco-Roman wrestling in India and strengthen More's case for senior national team selection.
Who is affected: Vishvajit More, India's Greco-Roman wrestling programme, the Wrestling Federation of India, young wrestlers in academies across the country, and fans following the championships.
Key Takeaway
Vishvajit More became the first Indian to reach a Greco-Roman final at the U23 World Wrestling Championships, beating Iranian and Russian opponents in Las Vegas to guarantee at least silver.
Questions and Answers
What has Vishvajit More achieved at the U23 World Championships 2026?
He reached the 55kg Greco-Roman final in Las Vegas, the first Indian to do so in Greco-Roman at the U23 Worlds, guaranteeing at least a silver medal.
Whom did he beat on the way to the final?
A Mexican wrestler, Iran's Armin Shamsipour 8-1 in the quarter-final, and Russia's Malik Gigiev 6-4 in the semi-final.
Who is his opponent in the final?
Georgia's Koba Karumidze.
Has Vishvajit More won medals at the U23 Worlds before?
Yes. He won bronze at 55kg in 2024 in Tirana, Albania, and again in 2025 in Novi Sad, Serbia.
Disclaimer: Prepared by the Peepals newsroom from publicly available sources with AI assistance. Information is accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time of publication and may change. Images may be representative. Not professional advice. Report an error via our contact page.
Sourced and fact-checked by the Peepals Global Editorial Team
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