By Ira Deshpande
Nineteen-year-old Tapasya Gahlawat has become the women’s U-20 world champion in the 57 kg category. She achieved the title with a 5-2 victory over Norway’s Felicitas Domajeva in Samokov, Bulgaria.
Tapasya hails from Khanpur Kalan village in Jhajjar, Haryana. Her love for wrestling runs deep in the family. As a child, she listened to stories from her father, Parmesh, about her great-grandfather, Chaudhary Hazari Lal, who was a well-known dangal wrestler in their village
A decade ago, when her father decided to send Tapasya to a wrestling academy, relatives pushed back. Many questioned, “Can a girl even wrestle?” Still, her father stood firm. His goal was clear: to see his child, regardless of gender, win medals for India. Now, seeing Tapasya crowned world champion is his answer to all those critics.
This victory, however, came with mixed emotions. Tapasya’s grandfather, Ram Mehar Singh, a retired army veteran, passed away just a week before her triumph.
Tapasya began her formal training around 2016 at a local academy. Still, facilities were limited. Her father then chose to take her more than 100 km away to train with coach Kulbir Rana at Yudhvir Akhara in Sonepat. Convincing Tapasya’s mother was tough. Sending a young girl far from home worried her. Yet, they persevered. Tapasya stayed committed. She often skipped festivals and stayed focused on her larger goal. Her hard work eventually paid off. Tapasya first bagged state and national junior titles. She won the 57 kg U-20 Asian title in Thailand last year. This year, she also claimed gold at the National Games and won the trials for the senior world championships.
In Bulgaria, she first pinned Dolzhon Tsyngueva. Then she beat France’s Romaissa El Kharroubi. In the semis, she stunned Japan’s Sowaka Uchida, who had won 40 straight international matches, with a final takedown in a close 4-3 finish. In the final, Tapasya used swift double-leg attacks to outwit Domajeva, securing the 5-2 win. Her coach noted her perfect mix of speed and stamina and joked that she’s only lazy when it comes to celebrating in an interview with the Indian Express.