India enjoyed a productive second day at the Asian Wrestling Championships 2026, with Lalit clinching a silver medal in the 55kg Greco-Roman category and Sunil Kumar securing bronze in the 87kg division.
The day also saw a major boost for the Indian contingent as Nitesh powered his way into the final of the 97kg category, keeping India’s gold medal hopes alive.
The results reflected both achievement and near misses, highlighting India’s growing depth in Greco-Roman wrestling while also underlining the fine margins at the continental level.
Lalit opens India’s medal tally with silver
Lalit emerged as India’s standout performer on the day, claiming the country’s first medal of the championships. The 23-year-old, a former U-23 Asian Championships bronze medallist, showcased strong form throughout the competition to reach the final.
In the semifinal, Lalit delivered a dominant 11-3 victory over China’s Huoying Shi, using his strength in clinches and positional control to dictate the bout. His performance ensured India had its first finalist in the Greco-Roman category.
However, in the gold medal bout, Lalit faced a tough challenge against Uzbekistan’s Ikhtiyor Botirov. Despite a spirited effort, Lalit struggled to break through Botirov’s defence and eventually went down 0-9, settling for silver. While the final did not go his way, Lalit’s run to the podium represents a significant step forward, especially given the level of competition in the 55kg category.
Sunil Kumar’s comeback earns bronze
Sunil Kumar added another medal to his decorated career, clinching bronze in the 87kg Greco-Roman category with a gritty comeback victory.
Facing Uzbekistan’s Mukhammadkodir Rasulov, Sunil found himself trailing early after conceding four points in the opening phase. However, the experienced Indian wrestler showed composure under pressure, gradually clawing his way back into the contest. With smart tactical adjustments and effective use of par terre situations, Sunil overturned the deficit to secure a narrow 5-4 win.
The victory marked his second consecutive bronze medal at the Asian Championships, reaffirming his consistency at the continental level.
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The biggest highlight of the day came from Nitesh, who stormed into the final of the 97kg Greco-Roman category with an impressive 7-2 victory over China’s Wang Zegang.
Nitesh, who had won bronze in the previous edition, displayed remarkable control and tactical awareness in the semifinal. He capitalised on a passivity call against his opponent in the first round, scoring six points in par terre, including a decisive four-point throw.
In the second round, Nitesh shifted his focus to defence, successfully neutralising his opponent’s attacks to seal a comfortable victory. The win not only secured his place in the final but also guaranteed India a second Greco-Roman medal in this edition.
He will now face defending champion Mohammadhadi Saravi of Iran in the gold medal bout a high-stakes clash that will test his credentials against one of the best in the division. While there were celebrations, there was also heartbreak for Aman in the 77kg category. In a closely contested bronze medal match, Aman went down 14-15 to South Korea’s Yeonghun Noh.
The bout was a high-scoring affair, with Aman trailing 7-12 at the end of the first round. He mounted a strong comeback in the second half, closing the gap and pushing the match to the brink, but ultimately fell short by a single point.
Despite the loss, Aman’s performance demonstrated resilience and attacking intent, even in a pressure situation.
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India’s medal prospects remain alive in other categories as well. Prince will compete for bronze in the 82kg Greco-Roman category after losing his semifinal bout. He will face Turkmenistan’s Didar Ammanazarov in a crucial match. Meanwhile, Sachin Sahrawat (67kg) has earned a place in the repechage round, giving him another opportunity to fight for bronze. He is set to face China’s Ji Leng, with a win keeping India’s medal tally ticking.
Day 2 of the championships highlighted both India’s strengths and areas for improvement. The medals from Lalit and Sunil Kumar, combined with Nitesh’s run to the final, underline the country’s competitiveness in Greco-Roman wrestling a discipline where India has been steadily improving.
At the same time, close losses like Aman’s serve as reminders of the narrow margins that define success at this level.
With Nitesh set to compete for gold and multiple wrestlers still in medal contention, India’s campaign is far from over. The focus will now shift to converting these opportunities into podium finishes. For Indian wrestling, the performances so far reflect a positive trajectory one that blends emerging talent with experienced campaigners. As the championships progress, the challenge will be to sustain this momentum and capitalise on key moments.
For now, Day 2 belongs to Lalit’s breakthrough silver, Sunil’s fighting bronze, and Nitesh’s statement run to the final performances that have kept India firmly in the mix at the Asian Wrestling Championships 2026.
