India’s Greco-Roman contingent delivered another productive outing at the Asian Wrestling Championships 2026 in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, adding one silver and two bronze medals to the country’s tally on Wednesday.
With Nitesh securing silver in the 97kg category and Sachin Sahrawat (67kg) and Prince (82kg) claiming bronze medals, India’s overall medal count rose to five two silvers and three bronzes after three days of competition.
The day carried significant expectations, particularly around Nitesh, who had already surpassed his performance from the previous edition by reaching the final. The 23-year-old entered the gold medal bout against reigning champion Mohammadhadi Saravi of Iran, one of the most technically sound wrestlers in the category.
Nitesh falls short in final but confirms rise
In the final, Nitesh faced a stern test against Saravi, whose experience and tactical discipline proved decisive. The Indian wrestler struggled to impose his attacking game and eventually went down 1-7. Despite the loss, the silver medal represents a major step forward in Nitesh’s development at the continental level.
Having won bronze in the previous edition, his progression to the final this year signals growing maturity and consistency in a highly competitive weight class. His run to the summit clash included a commanding semifinal performance, underlining his potential as a future medal contender at the global stage.
India’s first medal of the day came through Sachin Sahrawat in the 67kg Greco-Roman category. In a tightly contested bronze medal bout against Uzbekistan’s Abdumalik Aminov, Sachin showcased resilience and tactical awareness to turn the match around.
Trailing 3-5 in the second period, Sachin mounted a late comeback. He executed a crucial takedown in the final minute to level the score and then capitalised on a failed challenge by his opponent to earn an additional point, sealing a narrow 6-5 victory.
Sachin’s journey to the podium was equally noteworthy. After an earlier setback, he fought his way back through the repechage round, defeating China’s Ji Leng to stay in contention. His ability to recover and deliver under pressure highlights both physical endurance and mental toughness—key attributes in championship wrestling.
Prince dominates to secure second bronze
Prince added India’s second bronze medal of the day with a commanding performance in the 82kg Greco-Roman category. Facing Didar Amannazarov of Turkmenistan, the Indian wrestler delivered a one-sided contest, winning 10-1.
From the outset, Prince imposed his strength and control, dominating both in standing exchanges and par terre situations. His ability to accumulate points quickly ensured that the bout never slipped into a close contest. This emphatic win not only secured a podium finish but also reflected India’s growing depth in the middle weight categories of Greco-Roman wrestling.
Women wrestlers eye bronze medals
While the Greco-Roman wrestlers added to the medal tally, India’s women’s wrestlers also remained in contention for podium finishes.
In the 55kg category, Hansika Lamba suffered a heavy 1-11 defeat in the semifinals against China’s Yuxuan Li, a silver medallist from the previous edition. Despite the setback, Hansika will now compete in the bronze medal play-off against Aruuke Kadyrbek Kyzy.
Similarly, Neha (59kg) faced a tough challenge against former Asian champion Mengyu Xie of China. She put up a spirited fight but eventually lost 5-12. Neha will now take on Mongolia’s Bolortuya Khurelkhuu in the bronze medal bout.
Both wrestlers have an opportunity to contribute further to India’s medal tally, provided they can regroup quickly after their semifinal defeats.
Win Exciting Prizes by Playing Sports Quiz – Download IndiaSportsHub App
In the 50kg category, Neelam remains in the hunt for a bronze medal via the repechage route. After losing in the quarterfinals to Japan’s Yui Sasaki, her hopes were revived when Sasaki progressed to the final.
Neelam will now face China’s Ziqi Feng in the repechage round on Thursday, with a potential bronze medal match at stake. The repechage pathway often demands both physical recovery and mental resilience, making her task challenging but achievable. With five medals in three days, India’s campaign at the Asian Wrestling Championships has shown steady progress, particularly in Greco-Roman wrestling a discipline where consistency at the continental level has often been a challenge.
Nitesh’s silver, combined with bronze medals from Sachin and Prince, indicates a broader spread of performance across weight categories. The ability of wrestlers to recover through repechage rounds and deliver under pressure has been a defining feature of India’s campaign so far.
As the competition moves into its final stages, India will look to convert more opportunities into medals, particularly in the women’s categories. With multiple wrestlers still in contention, the overall tally could see further improvement. For now, Wednesday’s results reinforce a key takeaway: India’s Greco-Roman wrestlers are not just competing they are consistently placing themselves in medal contention at the Asian level.
