Asian Games 2026: Women lead India’s push for wrestling medals in Aichi-Nagoya

Antim Panghal (left), who won bronze at the 2022 Asian Games, returns to the 2026 edition of the tournament with hopes of changing the colour of her medal. | Photo Credit: Sushil Kumar Verma

With a lot of experience, India’s women wrestlers are expected to put on a better show in the upcoming Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games.

In the previous edition, three Indian women bagged bronze medals. Of the three, two-time World Championships medallist Antim Panghal (53kg) returns with hopes of changing the colour of her medal.

Barring 17-year-old Dipanshi (50kg), others in the squad are experienced.

Former Asian champion Manisha Bhanwala (57kg) and World under-23 bronze medallist Priya Malik (76kg) are among the leading medal contenders. Former Asian silver medallist Nisha Dahiya (68kg) and ex-Worlds bronze medallist Mansi Ahlawat (62kg), who has recovered from an injury, are also capable of landing medals.

“We expect tough competition from China, Japan, the Koreas and Central Asian countries. But we will win better medals,” asserted women’s coach Virender Dahiya.

In men’s freestyle, Paris Olympics bronze medallist Aman Sehrawat (57kg) and World Under-23 champion Sujeet Kalkal (65kg) are the top names.

Fighting in 61kg, Aman took silver in the Zagreb Open and Asian Championship before switching back to his pet 57kg to strike gold in the Budapest Ranking Series. Uzbek World and Olympic medallist Gulomjon Abdullaev may be a roadblock for Aman, who aspires to upgrade his bronze to gold.

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Sujeet, who claimed gold in the Zagreb Open, Muhamet Malo Ranking Series and the Asian Championships this year, needs to overcome Olympic champion, Worlds silver medallist and local favourite Kotaro Kiyooka to achieve top honour.

Sagar Jaglan (74kg) has the potential to medal as well.

Last edition’s 86kg silver medallist Deepak Punia’s decision to jump to 97kg may affect his movement.

“We expect two gold medals from Aman and Sujeet,” said freestyle coach Vinod Kumar.

In Greco-Roman, last Asiad’s bronze medallist Sunil Kumar (87kg), Asian Under-23 champion Sumit Dalal (60kg) and Asian silver medallist Nitesh (97kg) will eye podium finishes.

“Odds have increased as Russian and Iranian wrestlers are representing Bahrain and Qatar after getting their citizenship. Nonetheless, we should get some medals,” said Greco-Roman coach Hargobind Singh.

Despite losing three wrestlers due to doping, India should look at a better haul than the six medals it secured in Hangzhou three years ago.