Greco-Roman Revival: Sumit Makes History at U23 Asian Wrestling Championships
India’s Greco-Roman wrestling contingent had a landmark outing at the U23 Asian Wrestling Championships 2025 in Vung Tau, Vietnam, headlined by Sumit, who clinched India’s only gold medal in the Greco-Roman division and broke a long-standing drought.
Sumit (Historic Gold in 60kg)
In the most dramatic bout of the tournament, Sumit edged past Uzbekistan’s Khusniddin Olimboev with a narrow 6-5 win in the 60kg final. The match was a tactical battle with both wrestlers exchanging moves and counters, but it was Sumit’s resilience in the dying seconds that sealed India’s first Greco-Roman U23 Asian gold medal in three years.
This is a historic first gold for India in Greco-Roman at the U23 Asian level since 2022, and the only gold from this style at the 2025 edition a breakthrough moment for both Sumit and Indian Greco-Roman wrestling.
Double Bronze on Day 1: Ankit Gulia and Nitesh Siwach
India had started the Greco-Roman campaign positively with two bronze medals on Day 1:
- Ankit Gulia claimed third place in the 72kg category.
- Nitesh Siwach finished with a bronze in the 97kg weight class.
Both wrestlers displayed commendable grit, bouncing back through the repechage rounds after early setbacks. Their efforts laid the foundation for what turned into a successful campaign for India in Greco-Roman.
A Much-Needed Boost for the Style
Greco-Roman wrestling has long struggled to match the freestyle success in Indian wrestling. However, with Sumit’s gold and two early bronzes, the 2025 U23 Asian Championships signal a potential turning point. Technical improvements, better support structures, and improved tactical coaching are beginning to show results.
India’s Greco-Roman wrestlers will now look ahead with renewed belief, eyeing medals at the World U23 Championships and other elite competitions.
Sumit’s gold isn’t just a medal it’s a message that Indian Greco-Roman wrestling is ready to rise again.
