As a 20-year-old, Tanu Sharma took the mat against Precious Bell of USA in the bronze medal match of 72 kg at the 2026 World Wrestling Championships in Astana, Kazakhstan, more than 3000 km away her father Virender Sharma paced up and down in his home at Bhaklana village of Hansi District, Haryana.

Sharma, a Sanskrit teacher at a Government school, never watches his daughter play due to nervousness. When his family shouted in joy after Tanu beat Bell 9-5 to win a first-ever bronze medal in the category at World Championships, that is when Virender was relieved.

“I never watch my daughter’s game. It makes me nervous,” Virender told The Indian Express. His elder daughter came running to tell him the good news. “Papa always watches the replay and that too when she wins. If she loses, he can’t watch it,” Tanu’s sister Priyanka quipped.

Tanu, who was playing in her debut Senior World Championships, capped off a great debut year at the senior level with a bronze in her first major international tournament.…