The Asian Wrestling Championships 2025 in Amman, Jordan, provided a stage for fierce competition among Asia’s elite Greco-Roman wrestlers.
India emerged with two bronze medals in this discipline, with Nitesh Siwach (97kg) adding his name to the podium through a determined comeback in the repechage round, while Sumit Kumar (60kg) secured bronze previously.
Despite some setbacks in other weight categories, the overall performance has raised hopes for the nation’s wrestling future.
Nitesh’s Road to Bronze
In the highly competitive 97kg Greco-Roman category, Nitesh Siwach showcased resilience and technical prowess. After a brilliant start in the quarterfinals, he faced a formidable challenge in the semifinals.
Quarterfinal: Dominant Display
✅ Defeated Ilyas Guchigov 🇰🇿 by Technical Superiority (9-0)
Nitesh began his campaign with an emphatic victory over the Kazakh opponent, securing a 9-0 win by technical superiority. This match set the tone for his performance throughout the tournament.
Semifinal: A Tough Test
❌ Lost to Mohammad Hadi Saravi 🇮🇷 by Technical Superiority (0-9)
In the semifinals, Nitesh encountered Mohammad Hadi Saravi of Iran—an Olympic champion and one of the world’s best. Saravi’s dominance was clear, and Nitesh lost 0-9 by technical superiority, which forced him into the repechage bracket.
Bronze Medal Bout: Redemption at Its Best
🥉 Defeated Amanberdi Agamammedov 🇹🇲 by Technical Superiority (9-0)
Refusing to be deterred, Nitesh rebounded in the bronze medal match. He delivered a flawless performance against Amanberdi Agamammedov from Turkmenistan, earning a decisive 9-0 victory by technical superiority and clinching the bronze medal for India.
India’s Overall Greco-Roman Performance
India’s Greco-Roman contingent left a mark with two podium finishes:
• Nitesh Siwach (97kg) – Bronze
• Sumit Kumar (60kg) – Bronze
While these victories highlighted the strengths of the team, the tournament also revealed areas for growth in other weight categories.
Other Notable Results
Neeraj (67kg)
• ✅ Qualification Round: Defeated Ali from Iraq 3-1
• ❌ Quarterfinal: Lost to Razzak from Kyrgyzstan 0-9 (by technical superiority)
• ❌ Bronze Medal Match: Fell to Katsuaki from Japan 0-5
Neeraj battled valiantly, but his Japanese opponent ultimately controlled the bronze medal match.
Rahul (82kg)
• ✅ Qualification Round: Staged a remarkable comeback, overturning a 0-7 deficit to win 10-7 against Zuhurov from Tajikistan
• ❌ Quarterfinal: Lost by technical superiority to a wrestler from Bahrain
Rahul’s comeback in the qualification round was one of the highlights, demonstrating his tenacity and fighting spirit.
Kuldeep Malik (72kg)
• ❌ Qualification Round: Suffered a heavy 0-8 loss by technical superiority to a wrestler from Iran, who proved too strong in their opening bout
Kuldeep’s bout was a tough encounter against a seasoned Iranian opponent, highlighting the intense level of competition at the Championships.
Nitin (55kg)
• ❌ Qualification Round: Lost 4-0 against Yo from Chinese Taipei
In his debut appearance at the Championships, Nitin faced a stern test in the qualification round. Despite his efforts, a 4-0 defeat against Yo from Chinese Taipei ended his campaign early, reflecting the high standards and competitive nature of the tournament.
Sumit Kumar (60kg) – Bronze Medalist
Although Sumit Kumar did not compete today, he had already earned his bronze medal in an earlier session, contributing significantly to India’s overall medal tally in the Greco-Roman category.
Final Thoughts: A Promising Greco-Roman Campaign
With two bronze medals to their name, India’s Greco-Roman wrestlers have shown that they can compete with the best in Asia.
Nitesh Siwach’s impressive recovery after a semifinal setback and the steady contributions from the rest of the team underline the depth of talent present.
While some wrestlers encountered early exits or tough losses, the experiences gained in Amman will undoubtedly serve as a catalyst for future success—especially with Olympic qualifiers on the horizon.
The Asian Wrestling Championships 2025 have not only brought glory to individual athletes but have also strengthened the resolve of Indian wrestling to rise further in the global arena.
#Wrestling #AsianChampionships #WrestleAmman
