Abhimanyou Mandwal
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| Nationality | Indian | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Employer | Central Industrial Security Force | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sport | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sport | Freestyle wrestling | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Weight class | 70 kg | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Medal record
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Abhimanyou Mandwal is an Indian freestyle wrestler who competes in the 70 kg weight category. He represents India in international competition and is employed by the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF).[1][2][3] He won the gold medal in the 70 kg category at the 2026 Asian Wrestling Championships in Bishkek.[4][5][6]
Early life
[edit]Mandwal grew up in a family of wrestlers in Haryana. His father, Mahendar Singh, and uncle, Rajesh Kumar, were wrestlers who competed at the state level. He began training in wrestling at the age of six under the guidance of his father and uncle after his family decided to pursue the sport for him following his performances at school.[7][8]
His father died in an electrocution accident at their home in 2011. Mandwal moved to Chhatrasal Stadium in Delhi in 2012, where he continued his wrestling training.[9][7]
Career
[edit]Mandwal competed in the 70 kg freestyle category at the 2023 World Wrestling Championships, where he reached the quarterfinals. After losing to Zain Retherford in the quarterfinal, he entered the repechage and defeated Mustafo Akhmedov before losing the bronze-medal bout to Arman Andreasyan. He finished fifth in the tournament.[1][10] In 2024, Mandwal won bronze in the 70 kg category at the 2024 Asian Wrestling Championships.[11] Later that year, he won gold at the 2024 U23 Asian Wrestling Championships in Amman, defeating Tajikistan's Mustafo Akhmedov 6–2 in the final.[1][11]
Mandwal suffered an ankle injury during training in 2024 and underwent surgery. The injury kept him away from competition for an extended period before his return to international wrestling in 2026.[12][7][13][14]
In 2025, Mandwal won the gold medal in the 70 kg category at the Senior National Wrestling Championships.[6]
At the 2026 Grand Prix Zagreb Open, Mandwal won a bronze medal in the 70 kg category, defeating Ian Parker of the United States 6–3 in the bronze-medal bout.[15][16]
At the 2026 Asian Wrestling Championships in Bishkek, Mandwal won the gold medal in the 70 kg category.[17][5][18][19]
References
[edit]- 1 2 3 "ABHIMANYOU Abhimanyou". United World Wrestling. Retrieved 22 September 2026.
- ↑ Singh, Amanpreet. "Abhimanyou Mandwal Sets Sights On 2028 Olympics". Rediff. Retrieved 22 September 2026.
- ↑ "CISF Wrestler Abhimanyou Mandwal Clinches Gold". firstindia.co.in. Retrieved 22 September 2026.
- ↑ "Yoshida Repeats as Asian Champ as Japan, India Grab 2 Golds". United World Wrestling. 11 April 2026. Retrieved 22 September 2026.
- 1 2 IANS (11 April 2026). "CISF fraternity congratulates HC Abhimanyu on winning gold in Asian Wrestling Championship". IANS News. Retrieved 22 September 2026.
- 1 2 "24-year-old Abhimanyu wins gold at Asian Wrestling Championship". The Times of India. 11 April 2026. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 23 September 2026.
- 1 2 3 "Tragic death in family, move to Chhatrasal and now Asian Championships gold — meet Abhimanyou". The Indian Express. 24 April 2026. Retrieved 22 September 2026.
- ↑ "9 साल की उम्र में पिता को खोया, अब एशियन चैंपियन बनकर ओलंपिक का सपना सजा रहा ये पहलवान". The Lallantop (in Hindi). 24 April 2026. Retrieved 22 September 2026.
- ↑ "Strong Mentality, Fearless Approach Key to Success: Asian Champion Abhimanyu". The Earth News. 18 April 2026. Retrieved 22 September 2026.
- ↑ "Wrestling worlds: Abhimanyu to fight for bronze". The Tribune. 18 September 2023. Retrieved 22 September 2026.
- 1 2 "Asian Wrestling Championships 2024: Udit Secures Silver Medal In Freestyle 57kg, Abhimanyou, Vicky Bag Bronze - Match Report". Outlook India. 11 April 2024. Retrieved 22 September 2026.
- ↑ "Abhimanyou Mandwal's Journey To 2028 Olympics: Training, Mindset, And Goals". Rediff.com. 18 April 2026. Retrieved 22 September 2026.
- ↑ Sarangi, Y. B. (16 April 2026). "Wrestling: Abhimanyou Mandwal vies to be consistent like roommate Ravi Dahiya". sportstar.thehindu.com. Retrieved 23 September 2026.
- ↑ Jain, Deepanshu (22 April 2026). "How Abhimanyou fought depression, injury to be crowned Asian Wrestling Champion". The Bridge - Home of Indian Sports. Retrieved 23 September 2026.
- ↑ "Zagreb Open 2026: U.S. Wins Four Golds; World Champ Valencia Stunned". United World Wrestling. 7 February 2026. Retrieved 22 September 2026.
- ↑ "Lee, Desanto, Carr, Keckeisen earn gold at Zagreb Open, U.S. starts fast with seven men's freestyle medals". www.themat.com. 4 February 2026. Retrieved 22 September 2026.
- ↑ "Asian Wrestling Championships 2026: Yoshida Repeats as Asian Champ as Japan, India Grab 2 Golds". United World Wrestling. 11 April 2026. Retrieved 22 September 2026.
- ↑ Sarangi, Y. B. (16 April 2026). "I will keep all factors in mind when changing weight category: Abhimanyou". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 23 September 2026.
- ↑ "Asian Wrestling Championships 2026: India results, Day 6". Olympics.com. International Olympic Committee. Retrieved 23 September 2026.