India's Wrestling Revolution: Six Medals Mark Best Campaign Since 1962
India achieves its best wrestling haul at the Asian Games since 1962, securing six medals including two golds in Aichi-Nagoya.
India has scripted a historic chapter in its wrestling history at the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games. The nation's grapplers delivered a powerhouse performance, finishing the tournament with a total of six medals—comprising two golds, two silvers, and two bronzes. This haul represents India's most successful wrestling campaign at the Asian Games in over six decades, with the last such feat occurring back in Jakarta in 1962.
Aman Sehrawat Stuns World Champion for Gold
The highlight of the campaign was undoubtedly the sensational performance by Aman Sehrawat. The Paris 2024 bronze medallist proved his mettle in the men's freestyle 57kg category by defeating the reigning world champion, Han Chong Song of North Korea, in a thrilling 11-7 final.
The match was a rollercoaster of emotions. After establishing an early 6-1 lead, Aman faced a fierce comeback from Han, who surged ahead 7-6. Showing immense composure, Aman executed a decisive four-point move to reclaim control at 10-7. A final point, granted after an unsuccessful challenge from the North Korean corner, sealed the gold for the young Indian sensation.
Aman's journey to the top was nothing short of dominant:
- Opening Round: A 20-9 technical superiority win against Japan's Yamato Ogawa.
- Quarter-finals: A clinical 12-1 victory over Kazakhstan's Nurdanat Aitanov.
- Semi-finals: A remarkable comeback from 6-2 down to defeat Tajikistan's Aiaal Belolyubskii 14-8.
Sujeet Kalkal and Antim Panghal Lead the Charge
While Aman grabbed the headlines, Sujeet Kalkal ensured India's dominance in the freestyle division. Kalkal secured the nation's first gold of the games in the men's freestyle 65kg category, setting the tone for the rest of the squad.
In the women's division, Antim Panghal continued her stellar international run by clinching a silver medal in the 53kg category. Although she fell 9-1 to Japan's Moe Kiyooka in the final, Panghal's path to the podium was impressive. She had previously dismantled Kazakhstan's Shugyla Omirbek and secured a victory over China's reigning Asian champion, Zhang Jin, in the semi-finals.
Full Medal Tally for Indian Wrestling
India's success was not limited to freestyle; the country also made significant inroads in the Greco-Roman categories, ensuring a well-rounded performance across the board.
- Aman Sehrawat: Gold (Men's Freestyle 57kg)
- Sujeet Kalkal: Gold (Men's Freestyle 65kg)
- Antim Panghal: Silver (Women's 53kg)
- Nitesh Siwach: Silver (Greco-Roman 97kg)
- Deepak Punia: Bronze (Men's Freestyle 97kg)
- Sunil Kumar: Bronze (Greco-Roman 87kg)
Deepak Punia secured his second consecutive Asian Games medal by fighting through a tough bronze-medal bout against Mongolia's Gankhuyag Ganbaatar, winning 2-1. Meanwhile, Nitesh Siwach and Sunil Kumar provided much-needed strength to the Greco-Roman contingent, ensuring India remained a force to be reckoned with in both styles of wrestling.