Led by medal contenders Gopal Koli, Mahesh P Gouda and Shweta Sanju Annikeri, Karnataka’s wrestling team is poised for a strong showing at the 2024 Senior National Championship
Bengaluru, 27 November 2024: The Karnataka Wrestling Association, earlier this week, announced the state’s contingent for the much-anticipated 2024 Senior National Wrestling Championship, set to take place at Bengaluru’s Koramangala Indoor Stadium from December 6 to 8.
The state will be represented across all three disciplines; Men’s Freestyle, Men’s Greco Roman, and Women’s Freestyle, with 10 participants in each category, and each wrestler competing in a different weight class.
As the tournament marks the Senior National Wrestling Championship’s debut in the state, the wrestlers are eager to showcase their skills on home turf and showcase Karnataka’s rich wrestling legacy.
Karnataka’s Men’s Freestyle team, led by Coach Ram Kumar D, features medal prospects like Gopal Koli (86 kg), Mahesh P Gouda (65 kg), and Maheshkumar Murari Langoti (70 kg) in a 10-member contingent.
In Men’s Greco Roman, Coach Manju Madar will guide a talented team led by standout grappler Koravara Sanjeevana (63 kg). Notably, Kamesh Mahadev Patil (130 kg) will compete in the highest weight class for Karnataka.
The Women’s Freestyle team goes in with Shweta Sanju Annikeri (50 kg) emerging as the frontrunner. She is also joined by Prinsita Pedru Siddi (65 kg) and Bhagavathi Jnayanadev Gondali (72 kg), who are the youngest athletes in Karnataka’s contingent. The team is guided by Coach Smitha Patil, who brings valuable experience to the lineup.
Karnataka’s contingent will also feature Dr Vinod Kumar K, Chairman of the Technical Committee, Karnataka Wrestling Association. His expertise as International Coach will help the host state’s campaign.
Bellippady Gunaranjan Shetty, President of the Karnataka Wrestling Association (KWA) and Joint Secretary of the Wrestling Federation of India, expressed his confidence in the team, saying, “We have some strong medal contenders in our squad, and this championship will also be a great learning experience for our grapplers. Hosting the Senior National Wrestling Championship in our home state for the first time adds to the significance, and we are excited to show the nation what our grapplers can do.”
The preparations for the marquee event is in full swing at the Koramangla Indoor Stadium where over 1000 wrestlers and officials from across the country will assemble from 6th to 8th December.