Sundernagar’s Shaurya Veer does Himachal proud by winning wrestling bronze in National School Games

MANDI: Adding another glorious chapter to his family’s sporting legacy, Shaurya Veer Yadav, a student of Government Swarn Jayanti Excellence School (Bal Vidyalaya) at Sundernagar in Mandi district has brought laurels to Himachal Pradesh by winning a bronze medal in wrestling at the prestigious National School Games-2025, held at Chhatrasal Stadium in New Delhi.

Shaurya is the son of Dr Sanjay Kumar Yadav, a distinguished international wrestler and Parshuram awardee, who also serves as the school’s physical education lecturer. This remarkable achievement marks the first-ever wrestling medal for the school at the national level, establishing a milestone in its sports journey.

The National School Games, held from April 21 to 27, 2025, witnessed intense competition in U-17 and U-19 wrestling categories for both boys and girls. Himachal Pradesh secured a total of three medals in the tournament, with Shaurya’s bronze being a significant highlight.

Continuing his winning streak, Shaurya Veer Yadav has also been selected to represent Himachal Pradesh in the upcoming Khelo India Youth Games-2025, to be held in Patna, Bihar, from May 11. His recent performances have positioned him as one of the most promising young athletes in the state.

Three young wrestlers from Sundernagar were part of the Himachal Pradesh contingent in the Delhi games, proudly representing their region on the national stage.
Principal Lekh Ram Bhardwaj of Bal Vidyalaya-Sundernagar congratulated Shaurya on his stellar performance, describing it as a proud moment for the school. He praised the guidance and dedication of Dr Sanjay Yadav, who has played a pivotal role in nurturing wrestling talent at the school.

A celebrated figure in Himachal’s wrestling fraternity, Dr Sanjay Yadav has earned numerous accolades, including national and international medals. He has been conferred the Parshuram Award, the state’s highest sporting honour and is known for mentoring young athletes while leading the school’s sports program to new heights in both wrestling and judo. He has also been honoured with titles like “Himachal Kumar” and “Himachal Kesari”.

Shaurya is proudly following in the footsteps of not just his father, but also his uncle, international wrestler Jagdish Pehalwan.
At just 15 years old, he has already carved a name for himself in the wrestling world. In recent months, he won the U-17 Suket Himachal Kumar title at the Nalwar Fair in Sundernagar, and the Mandi Kumar title at the International Shivratri Fair in Mandi, both presented by Himachal Pradesh’s Minister for Technical Education Rajesh Dharmani.

In November, Shaurya added another feather to his cap by securing a silver medal in the National Junior Kurash Championship, once again representing Himachal Pradesh on the podium.

Remarkably, the school introduced wrestling only this year under Dr Yadav’s guidance, and already eight students have been selected for the State School Games, a testament to the rapid development of the sport within the institution.

Munish Sood