Panipat hosts national school wrestling games for first time

The 69th National School Wrestling Under-19 Games began with great enthusiasm at Arya PG College, Panipat, on Saturday. This is the first time the national-level wrestling tournament is being hosted in Panipat. The event will continue till November 5.

Around 450 wrestlers — boys and girls — from 26 states are participating in various weight categories. Nearly 150 officials have also arrived in Panipat along with their contingents.

The inaugural ceremony featured a cultural programme and was attended by Harpal Dhanda, elder brother of Education Minister Mahipal Dhanda, as the chief guest. Bhim Chopra, uncle of Olympic gold medallist Neeraj Chopra, was present as the special guest.

NCC cadets and Scouts & Guides of Government Model Sanskriti Senior Secondary School (GMSSS), Model Town, extended a ceremonial welcome to the dignitaries.

In the 57 kg boys’ category, 26 teams competed for top honours. In the semifinals, Delhi defeated Maharashtra while Haryana beat Rajasthan. In the final, Haryana’s Yanat clinched the gold medal, followed by Delhi’s Chirag Dahiya with silver and Uttar Pradesh’s Angad Yadav and Rajasthan’s Rakesh Kumar Meena sharing the bronze.

The 61 kg boys’ category saw similar participation, with 26 teams in action. In the semifinals, Delhi overcame Maharashtra, while Haryana defeated Rajasthan. Once again, Haryana’s Yanat took the gold, Delhi’s Chirag Dahiya secured silver and Angad Yadav (Uttar Pradesh) and Rakesh Kumar Meena (Rajasthan) bagged the bronze medals.

In the 57 kg girls’ category, 22 teams competed. Rajasthan beat Maharashtra and Haryana defeated Punjab in the semifinals. In the final, Haryana’s Khushi won the gold, Rajasthan’s Kavita took silver, and L Dilip (Maharashtra) and Muskan (Punjab) won the bronze medals.

In the 59 kg girls’ category, 20 teams participated. Punjab defeated Karnataka and Rajasthan beat Delhi in the semifinals. In the final, Punjab’s Vishakha clinched the gold medal, Rajasthan’s Simran Sain won silver, while Tamanna (Haryana) and Simran Beechan Minj (Jharkhand) settled for bronze.

The event was also attended by Veena Singh, Additional Director (Sports); Satyavir Singh, Youth and Sports Officer; Rakesh Boora, District Education Officer (DEO); Subhash Chandra Bhardwaj, District Elementary Education Officer (DEEO); and other senior officials.