Indian wrestling’s Greco-Roman stalwart Sunil Kumar has once again etched his name in history by securing a bronze medal in the 87kg category at the 2025 Asian Wrestling Championships.
With this victory, Sunil has now claimed an incredible fifth medal at the continental level, further solidifying his status as India’s best Greco-Roman wrestler in recent years.
A Hard-Fought Journey to Bronze
Sunil’s campaign in the Asian Wrestling Championships started on a strong note as he dominated his quarterfinal bout against a Tajikistani opponent, securing a 10-1 victory in emphatic fashion.
His technical superiority and aggressive style were on full display as he completely outclassed his opponent to advance to the semifinals.
However, his path to the final was blocked by Iran’s Yasin Ali Yazdi, who edged out Sunil in a tight 3-1 contest. Despite his best efforts, Sunil was unable to break through the Iranian’s solid defense and had to settle for a shot at the bronze medal match.
Facing China’s Jiaxin Huang in the bronze medal bout, Sunil put on a clinical performance, controlling the match from the start and securing a 5-1 victory to claim his fifth Asian Wrestling Championships medal.
This win not only opened India’s medal tally in the tournament but also reaffirmed Sunil’s status as the flagbearer of Indian Greco-Roman wrestling.
Sunil Kumar: The Backbone of Indian Greco-Roman Wrestling
Sunil Kumar has been the most consistent Greco-Roman wrestler in India over the past decade. His ability to perform at the highest level year after year in an Olympic weight category is a testament to his skill, endurance, and mental toughness.
His record at the Asian Wrestling Championships includes:
✅ 2019 – Silver Medal 🥈
✅ 2020 – Gold Medal 🥇
✅ 2022 – Bronze Medal 🥉
✅ 2023 – Bronze Medal 🥉
✅ 2025 – Bronze Medal 🥉
This consistency makes him one of India’s most decorated Greco-Roman wrestlers, and his 2023 Asian Games bronze medal further cements his reputation as a top-tier competitor on the international stage.
A Tough start for India’s Greco-Roman Wrestlers
While Sunil Kumar’s success was a bright spot for India, the rest of the Greco-Roman squad struggled at the tournament. None of the other five Indian wrestlers managed to reach the final, with most being eliminated in the early rounds.
• Sagar Thakran (77kg) – Won his qualification round 4-0 against Singapore’s Aryan but lost 10-0 in the quarterfinals.
• Prem (130kg) – Lost his qualification round 9-0.
• Umesh (63kg) – Lost his qualification round 9-0.
• Nitin (55kg) – Lost his qualification round 4-0.
The struggles of the young Greco-Roman wrestlers highlight the lack of depth and international experience in this style for India. Greco-Roman wrestling has always been India’s weaker department compared to freestyle wrestling, and this tournament was a harsh reminder of the work that needs to be done to improve.
What’s Next for Sunil Kumar?
His consistency at the Asian level is undeniable, but the next challenge is to make an impact on the world stage.
His immediate goals will likely include:
• Preparing for the World Wrestling Championships qualifier.
• Participating in international training camps to improve his wrestling against world-class opponents.
• Enhancing his attacking game to compete with elite European and Iranian wrestlers who dominate the Greco-Roman style.
Final Thoughts
Sunil Kumar’s fifth Asian Championships medal is a remarkable achievement, proving his longevity and consistency in a demanding sport. While Indian Greco-Roman wrestling still has a long way to go, Sunil continues to carry the nation’s hopes on his shoulders.
With the Olympic dream still alive, Indian wrestling fans will be hoping that Sunil can break barriers and make history on the world’s biggest stage. For now, his bronze medal in the 2025 Asian Wrestling Championships is a moment to celebrate—an incredible milestone in an already stellar career.
