Haryana, March 17, 2026: M3M Foundation, in collaboration with the Yogeshwar Dutt Wrestling Academy, organised the “M3M Foundation Gold Cup – Under-20 National Wrestling Mahasangram” on March 15–16, 2026, bringing together more than 550 young wrestlers from across India.
Held under the theme “Mitti Se Olympics Medal Tak”, the two-day national championship aimed to strengthen grassroots wrestling and create a competitive platform for emerging talent. The tournament saw participation from over eight states, with wrestlers representing more than 50 akhadas and academies, including 25+ international-level athletes.
The event was hosted at the Yogeshwar Dutt Wrestling Academy in Rohtak, founded by Olympic medalist Yogeshwar Dutt. Speaking on the occasion, Yogeshwar Dutt highlighted the importance of India’s traditional wrestling ecosystem, noting that the country’s strength lies in its villages and akhadas, where young athletes can flourish with the right support and training.
A key highlight of the event was the inauguration of a Girls’ Hostel at the academy, supported by M3M Foundation. The facility is expected to improve access to safe and professional training infrastructure for female wrestlers.
The championship featured competitions across multiple categories. The Under-20 (Boys) division included weight categories such as 50 kg, 57 kg, 65 kg, 74 kg, 85 kg, and 92 kg, while the Under-23 (Girls) division covered 50 kg, 55 kg, 60 kg, and +65 kg categories. An Open Weight Category was also part of the event. Winners across categories were awarded cash prizes in recognition of their performance.
The event was attended by prominent personalities including Dr. Payal Kanodia, Chairperson and Trustee, M3M Foundation; Olympic silver medalist Ravi Dahiya; Wrestling Federation of India President Sanjay Singh; former WFI President Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh; and veteran coach Mahabali Satpal.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Payal Kanodia said, “Being a sportsperson myself, I understand the dedication, discipline and resilience it takes to excel in competitive sports. At M3M Foundation, we firmly believe that India’s future Olympic champions will emerge from our villages and akhadas. Through initiatives like the M3M Foundation Gold Cup, we aim to provide young athletes with the right platforms to showcase their talent and aspire for excellence at national and international levels.”
The championship was organised under M3M Foundation’s ‘Lakshya’ programme, which focuses on nurturing talent in sports, visual arts and performing arts by offering mentorship and structured opportunities.
Through initiatives like this, M3M Foundation aims to strengthen grassroots sports development and support India’s long-term ambition of producing world-class athletes and future Olympic medalists.
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