India’s men’s freestyle contingent delivered one of its most impressive days at the Asian Wrestling Championships 2026 in Bishkek, with three wrestlers Abhimanyou (70kg), Sujeet (65kg), and Sandeep Singh Mann (79kg) storming into their respective finals.
Headlining the charge was Abhimanyou, who produced a major upset to defeat reigning Asian champion and World Championships bronze medallist Ernazar Akmataliev of Kyrgyzstan.
In a high-quality semifinal bout in the 70kg category, Abhimanyou showcased tactical clarity and composure to secure a 6–3 victory over Akmataliev. The Indian wrestler controlled key exchanges, capitalising on scoring opportunities while maintaining defensive discipline against a seasoned opponent. A crucial moment came midway through the bout when a refereeing sequence initially caused confusion, but the decision ultimately went in Abhimanyou’s favour, shifting momentum decisively.
From there, he maintained control to close out one of the biggest wins of his career. The result not only sent him into the gold medal bout but also signalled his arrival as a serious contender at the continental level. He will now face Mongolia’s Tumur in the final, with India eyeing a crucial gold medal.
If Abhimanyou’s win was the headline moment, the broader story was India’s collective dominance in the freestyle division. Three out of five Indian wrestlers in action progressed to the finals, underlining the depth and competitiveness of the current crop.
In the 65kg category, Sujeet continued his impressive run with a commanding semifinal victory over Tajikistan’s Kudiev, a former Russian wrestler and World Championships bronze medallist. After conceding the opening period, Sujeet mounted a strong comeback, eventually winning 7–2. His ability to shift gears mid-bout and impose his attacking rhythm proved decisive.
Earlier in the quarterfinals, Sujeet had displayed complete control, defeating local wrestler Kakharov via technical superiority. His consistent dominance across rounds has reinforced his status as one of India’s most reliable freestyle performers heading into the final.
Sandeep Singh Mann’s run to the 79kg final was equally significant, marking a long-awaited breakthrough in his senior international career. The experienced wrestler first edged past Jordan’s Isakov 6–5 in a tightly contested quarterfinal before delivering a statement performance in the semifinals.
Facing Tajikistan’s Somonjon Ikromov, Sandeep produced a clinical display, winning by technical superiority (10–0). The victory ensured his first senior international medal after nearly a decade on the circuit, a milestone that reflects both persistence and evolution in his wrestling.
While three wrestlers progressed to the finals, the remaining two Ankush (57kg) and Vicky Hooda (97kg) will compete for bronze medals.
Vicky began his campaign strongly, defeating his Turkmenistan opponent in the quarterfinals via technical superiority. However, he ran into a formidable challenge in the semifinals against Iran’s Amir Ali Azarpira, an Olympic bronze medallist. Vicky was unable to break through the Iranian’s defence, eventually conceding the bout and dropping into the bronze medal match.
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Ankush, competing in the 57kg category, also fell short of a final berth and will now aim to salvage a podium finish through the repechage route.
Overall, India saw four out of five wrestlers reach the semifinals, a statistic that highlights the team’s competitiveness across weight categories. Converting three of those into finalists further underscores the strength of the current freestyle lineup.
From a tactical standpoint, India’s wrestlers demonstrated a mix of aggression and control. Sujeet’s ability to recover after a slow start, Sandeep’s clinical finishing, and Abhimanyou’s composure against a top-tier opponent reflect a maturing approach to high-level competition.
The wins over accomplished international wrestlers—particularly Abhimanyou’s victory over Akmataliev and Sujeet’s triumph over Kudiev indicate that Indian wrestlers are increasingly capable of challenging established names in Asian wrestling.
However, the job is only half done. With three wrestlers in the finals, the focus now shifts to converting these opportunities into gold medals. The upcoming bouts against Tumur (70kg), along with the finals in 65kg and 79kg, will be crucial in determining the overall success of India’s freestyle campaign. Equally important will be the bronze medal matches, where Ankush and Vicky will look to add to India’s tally and ensure a broader podium presence.
As things stand, India’s freestyle wrestlers have laid a strong foundation with their semifinal and final appearances. The performances in Bishkek not only highlight current form but also offer a glimpse into the team’s potential heading into future international competitions.
With momentum on their side and confidence growing, the stage is now set for India to aim higher. The challenge ahead is clear translate these breakthrough performances into championship finishes.
