Nitesh Siwach clinches silver in Greco-Roman wrestling
Nitesh Siwach clinches silver in men's 97kg Greco-Roman wrestling at the Asian Games 2026, making history for Indian wrestling.
In a historic performance at the Asian Games 2026, Indian wrestler Nitesh Siwach secured a silver medal in the men's 97kg Greco-Roman wrestling event. Despite a valiant effort in the gold medal bout held in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, Siwach fell short against the formidable Yuri Nakazato of Japan.
A Hard-Fought Battle in the Ring
The gold medal match was a display of intense technical skill and physical endurance. The contest began with Siwach facing an early setback when he was penalised for passivity, allowing Nakazato to take a 2-0 lead in the opening round. While the Indian wrestler showed remarkable defensive prowess to prevent Nakazato from widening the gap immediately, he struggled to find an offensive opening in the final 30 seconds of that round.
The pressure intensified in the closing minutes. With only two minutes left on the clock, Nakazato executed a brilliant move, bundling Siwach over to score two more points, extending the lead to 4-0. Throughout the remainder of the bout, the Japanese wrestler dictated the tempo, even attempting to secure a pin. However, Siwach showed immense grit, holding his ground to ensure he walked away with a podium finish.
Breaking a 64-Year Legacy
Nitesh Siwach’s achievement is not just about the medal; it is about a historic milestone for Indian wrestling. By reaching the final, he has become only the second Indian Greco-Roman wrestler to achieve such a feat at the Asian Games. The last time an Indian reached this stage in this discipline was 64 years ago, when Maruti Mane won a silver medal in the 97kg category at the 1962 Asian Games.
India's Growing Medal Tally
Siwach's silver medal brought India's total medal count to four on the 12th day of the games. The day was productive for the Indian contingent, featuring successes across various disciplines:
- Wrestling: Nitesh Siwach (Silver, Men's 97kg Greco-Roman)
- Sailing: Manu Francis and Prince Noble (Silver, Men's Skiff event)
- Squash: Women's team (Bronze)
- Archery: Ganesh Mani Ratnam Thirumuru (Bronze, Men's Compound Individual)
While the silver medal means India will have to wait a little longer for a gold in Greco-Roman wrestling at this edition, Siwach's performance marks a significant step forward for the sport in the country.