New Delhi, August 21, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Indian wrestler Tanu Sharma secured a silver medal in the 72kg category at the ongoing U20 World Wrestling Championships in Slovakia, earning widespread praise in her native Bhaklana village in Haryana’s Hansi, where her family and neighbours celebrated the achievement with sweets.
Sharma’s title bid ended with a 5-3 defeat against Japan’s Chisato Yoshida in the final, but the medal marked a significant milestone in the young wrestler’s career.
“I am from a small village of Bhaklana in Haryana. I am extremely pleased that I have won a medal at the U20 World Championships for my nation,” Sharma said after the bout.
She credited God, her family and the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) for supporting her journey and dedicated the medal to her village and the country.
“I missed winning gold, but I will bag it the next time and make my nation more proud,” she said.
Back home, her parents and relatives celebrated the achievement, with sweets distributed among family members and villagers.
Tanu’s father, Virendra Shastri, recalled that she had shown a keen interest in sports from childhood and regularly competed with her cousins.
“She used to play with her cousins and used to beat all the children of her age,” he said.
Her uncle, Narendra Sharma, a retired Indian Army member, recognised her wrestling potential and encouraged her to take up the sport seriously. Virendra subsequently enrolled her at an academy under coach Sanjay Sia, who later facilitated her admission to the SAI Sports Academy in Hisar.
Tanu had previously won medals at the Khelo India Youth Games and Khelo India University Games, including gold at the Khelo India Youth Games in Chennai. Her father recalled that despite receiving a grand village welcome after her domestic achievements, she had told the family to celebrate only when she returned with an international medal.
Her mother, Suman Lata, said the entire village was proud of her daughter and preparing to welcome her home.
Recalling her daughter’s diet, she said Tanu regularly had milk, curd, juice and almonds during her preparation.
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