Neha Sangwan Becomes U-17 World Champion Days After Staying Up All Night to Welcome Vinesh

Neha Sangwan overpowered Japan’s So Tsuitsui to win 57kg gold at the U-17 World Championships in Amman on August 22, just days after staying up late to make a garland of currency notes to welcome her idol, Vinesh Phogat.

Neha, who is also from Balai, Vinesh’s village of in Haryana, stood out with her double-leg attacks as the 17-year-old hardly gave a chance to her rival in the gold medal boutand won the the final bout by 10-0 technical superiority.

Vinesh returned home last week after being disqualified from the Paris Olympics as she failed to make weight on the second day of the competition. Scheduled to compete in the gold medal bout in the women’s 50kg category, Vinesh was found overweight by 100g on August 8.

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After her Paris Olympics 2024 heartbreak, Vinesh had made an earnest plea for more and more young girls to take up wrestling.

Neha, who was part of Vinesh’s welcoming party in Balali, delivered on the world stage.

“It’s a huge thing for me and this title is for Vinesh didi and all the women wrestlers. Vinesh didi remains an inspiration for us all and this world title will inspire the women wrestlers back in Balali village as well India too,” Neha was quoted as saying after her final win by The Indian Express.

Neha’s father Amit Kumar Sangwan said her daughter has made the whole of Balali happy and proud.

“Neha had spent the whole afternoon getting the garland made for Vinesh’s welcome last week. When she had gone on stage, Vinesh would tell her that girls like her should complete her dream. To see Neha win her first world title would have made Vinesh happy too today. It’s a special feeling for the whole of Balali village too,” Sangwan, who is a former sarpanch of his village, said.