Neha strikes gold as India’s medal tally rises to eight at Budapest Wrestling Ranking Series

Budapest: India enjoyed another impressive day at the Polyák Imre, Varga János & Kozma István Memorial Senior Ranking Tournament 2026, with former U17 World Champion Neha winning the women's 59kg gold medal and Mansi securing silver in the 62kg category as the country's medal count climbed to eight.

Neha continued her outstanding rise on the senior international circuit with a composed and disciplined display in the final against the USA's Abigail E. Nette. In a closely fought contest, the Indian wrestler held her nerve to register a 6-4 victory on points (VPO1), earning India's second gold medal of the tournament after Olympic bronze medallist Aman Sehrawat's triumph on the opening day.

India's success continued in the women's 62kg division, where Mansi advanced to the final but had to settle for silver after an injury interrupted her title bout against Canada's Ana P. Godinez Gonzalez.

Savita added another medal for India in the same weight category, producing an attacking performance to defeat Kazakhstan's Irina Kuznetsova 14-5 and claim the bronze medal.

With Neha's gold, Mansi's silver and Savita's bronze, India has now collected eight medals overall at the tournament, including two gold, two silver and four bronze medals.

Earlier, former U23 World Championships silver medallist Hansika Lamba impressed in the women's 55kg category by winning silver. She booked her place in the final with a remarkable semifinal comeback, recovering from a 2-7 deficit against Germany's Anastasia Blayvas before sealing a 10-7 victory through a series of powerful takedowns.

The competition will now move to the remaining women's weight classes and the opening rounds of the Greco-Roman events on Saturday.

India's women's campaign will feature Nishu (53kg), Neha Sharma (57kg), Deeksha Malik (72kg) and Priya (76kg). In Greco-Roman wrestling, Anil will compete in the 72kg category, while Rohit Bura and Kumar Sunil will represent India in the 87kg division.

India's medal tally after Day 3:

Women’s Wrestling:

• 59kg: Neha – Gold
• 55kg: Hansika Lamba – Silver
• 62kg: Mansi – Silver
• 62kg: Savita – Bronze

Men’s Freestyle:

• 57kg: Aman Sehrawat – Gold
• 61kg: Deepak – Bronze
• 65kg: Vishal Kaliraman – Bronze
• 125kg: Rajat Ruhal – Bronze

Total medals: 8 (2 Gold, 2 Silver, 4 Bronze)

With inputs from IANS