Asian Games 2026 Wrestling: Aman, Sujeet and Antim spearhead India’s medal hopes – Preview

Wrestling action at the 2026 Asian Games will get underway at the Nagoya City Inae Sports Center in Nagoya from September 30 to October 3.

Indian wrestlers won six medals, including one silver and five bronze, at the previous Asian Games in Hangzhou.

The current contingent includes three of India's previous Asian Games medallists: Deepak Punia (silver), Aman Sehrawat (bronze) and Antim Panghal (bronze).

The team also includes current world No. 2 Sujeet Kalkal in men's freestyle and 2025 Asian Championship gold medallist Manisha Bhanwala in the women's category.

How good are India's chances?

Wrestling has traditionally been one of India's medal-winning disciplines at the Asian Games. This edition, too, India will face strong wrestling nations such as Japan, Iran and China.

India's medal prospects look promising, with Aman Sehrawat competing in the men's 57kg category. The youngest Indian wrestler to win an Olympic medal at Paris 2024, Sehrawat will be one to watch.

Sujeet Kalkal adds further hope in the men's 65kg category. The Indian is on a 20-match winning streak and is currently ranked world No. 2 in the category.

Deepak Punia, the only Indian wrestler to reach a final at the 2023 Asian Games, won silver in the men's 86kg category. He will compete in the 97kg category this time.

In the women's 53kg, Antim Panghal is among India's top medal contenders. The former world medallist enters with high expectations, though she faces stiff competition from China's Zhang Jin. The 22-year-old won bronze at the previous edition of the Asian Games in Hangzhou three years ago.

Nisha Dahiya (68kg) and Priya Malik (72kg) add depth to the women's squad, while veteran Greco-Roman wrestler Sunil Kumar (87kg) will lead India's challenge in his category.

Three weight categories go unrepresented

The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) had originally named an 18-member contingent after the national trials in New Delhi and Lucknow in May.

However, three wrestlers returned positive tests, reducing the contingent to 15 members. As a result, India will go unrepresented in the men's 67kg Greco-Roman, 130kg Greco-Roman and 86kg freestyle categories.

Indian Team

Women: Antim Panghal (53kg), Nisha Dahiya (68kg), Mansi Ahlawat (62kg), Manisha Bhanwala (57kg), Dipanshi (50kg), Priya Malik (72kg)

Freestyle: Aman Sehrawat (57kg), Sujeet Kalkal (65kg), Sagar Jaglan (74kg), Deepak Punia (97kg), Rajat Ruhal (125kg)

Greco-Roman: Sumit Dalal (60kg), Aman (77kg), Sunil Kumar (87kg), Nitesh Kumar (97kg).

Schedule

September 30 | Day 1

Greco-Roman 67kg - preliminary and medal rounds

Greco-Roman 87kg - preliminary and medal rounds

Women's 68kg - preliminary and medal rounds

October 1 | Day 2

Greco-Roman 60kg - preliminary and medal rounds

Greco-Roman 77kg - preliminary and medal rounds

Greco-Roman 97kg - preliminary and medal rounds

Women's 62kg - preliminary and medal rounds

October 2 | Day 3

Freestyle 65kg - preliminary and medal rounds

Freestyle 125kg - preliminary and medal rounds

Women's 50kg - preliminary and medal rounds

Women's 76kg - preliminary and medal rounds

October 3 | Day 4

Freestyle 57kg - preliminary and medal rounds

Freestyle 74kg - preliminary and medal rounds

Freestyle 97kg - preliminary and medal rounds

Women's 53kg - preliminary and medal rounds

Women's 57kg - preliminary and medal rounds

Where to watch

You can catch all the LIVE action from the 2026 Asian Games on the Sony Sports Network.