Who is Tanu Sharma? 20-year-old daughter of Sanskrit teacher from Hansi wins World Championship wrestling medal on debut

Tanu Sharma clinched a bronze medal in the women’s 72kg category at the wrestling World Championships in Astana, Kazakstand on Thursday. Tanu, who had lost Poland’s Wiktoria Choluj 2-9 in the qualification round, steyed alive in the bronze medal race through repechage route as Choluj qualified for the gold medal bout.

In her bronze medal bout, Tanu secured her place on the podium with a hard-fought 9-5 victory over USA’s Precious Rosanna Bell in the third-place play-off. Notably, Tanu was making her debut at the senior World Championships and capped off a great debut year at the senior level with a bronze in her first major international tournament.

Earlier this year, she had won the silver medal at the U20 World Championships. In fact, Tanu’s bronze was India’s first-ever Worlds medal in the 72 kg category. Overall, India won four medals, including Tanu’s in the competition, Kajal Dhochak (76 kg) and Neelam Sirohi (50 kg) winning silver medals and Manisha Bhanwala ensuring another.

How did Tanu Sharma start wrestling?

Born in a academic family in Bhaklana village of Hansi District, Haryana, Tanu’s father Virender Sharma is Sanskrit teacher at a Government school. Her elder sister is also studying B.Ed to become a teacher. Unlike her father and elder sister, Tanu was interested in sports ever since she was a toddler.

It was her uncle Narendra Fauji, who wanted Tanu to become a wrestler. But being a teacher himself, Virender wanted her daughter to do studies ad sport simultaneously. That’s when Virender came across Altius Public School & Wrestling Academy.

Tanu, along with her studies, started training under coach Sanjay Sihag. “Tanu joined us at the age of 14 in class eight. When she came here, it was her dedication to the sport that stood out. She studied the game after her training by watching bouts of senior wrestlers,” Sanjay told the Indian Express.

Coach Sanjay all praise for Ttanu

Sanjay was all praise for Tanu. “Tanu is a smart wrestler. Education is extremely important for wrestlers as it helps in improving the game intelligence. Tanu is someone who not only uses her strength but her brain also,” said Sanjay before revealing adding his ward’s emotional side.

“In general, Tanu is an emotional person. When she called me after winning the medal, she was crying. However, it helps her also, especially when she takes a loss to her heart. After losing in the first round, she took it seriously and didn’t repeat her mistakes today,” he added.