Asian Wrestling Championships 2026: India Clinches Five Greco-Roman Medals as Lalit Sehrawat Wins Historic Silver in Bishkek
India’s Greco-Roman squad delivered a commanding performance at the 2026 Asian Wrestling Championships in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, winning five medals across multiple weight categories this week. The highlight came from 23-year-old Lalit Sehrawat, who clinched a silver medal in the men’s 55 kg division — India’s first Greco-Roman silver at the continental meet in three years.
Lalit Sehrawat Ends India’s Three-Year Silver Drought
Sehrawat powered through the semi-final with a decisive victory over reigning world championship medallist Huoying Shi of China. The Haryana-born grappler could not sustain that momentum in the final, however, losing 0–9 to Uzbekistan’s Ikhtiyor Botirov. The silver still marks a career-best performance at the Asian Championships for Sehrawat, who won bronze at the Muhamet Malo Ranking Series earlier this year.
India last won a Greco-Roman silver at this tournament in 2023, when Rupin Gahlawat medalled in the same 55 kg weight class. Sehrawat’s achievement underlines a steady resurgence in India’s Greco-Roman programme, a discipline traditionally overshadowed by freestyle wrestling in India.
Sunil Kumar Claims Sixth Continental Medal
Veteran campaigner Sunil Kumar added another chapter to his decorated career by winning bronze in the men’s 87 kg category. Kumar rallied from a four-point deficit to beat Uzbekistan’s Mukhammadkodir Rasulov 5–4, using two powerful gut wrenches off passivity calls to seal the bout. This was his sixth medal at the Asian Championships — a record that places him among the most consistent Indian athletes at continental level.
Nitesh Siwach Reaches 97 Kg Final
In the heavyweight division, 97 kg wrestler Nitesh Siwach improved on his bronze medal from the 2025 edition by storming into the final. Siwach defeated China’s Zegang Wang 7–2 in the semi-final and will compete for gold on the final day. A podium finish for Siwach would cap a strong week for Indian Greco-Roman wrestling.
Heartbreak for Aman Baroniya
Not all bouts ended favourably. Teenager Aman Baroniya, competing in the 77 kg bronze medal match, lost a high-scoring 14–15 thriller to South Korea’s Yeonghun Noh. The narrow defeat was a painful lesson for the 19-year-old, but coaches remain optimistic about his long-term potential.
Freestyle Phase Begins With Aman Sehrawat Leading Charge
India’s medal ambitions continue into the freestyle phase, where Olympic medallist Aman Sehrawat headlines the contingent. The Indian sporting calendar remains packed in April, and a strong freestyle showing could push India’s overall tally past double digits.
The 2026 Asian Wrestling Championships conclude on 11 April. India’s results will carry additional weight as selectors assess squad composition ahead of the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, where wrestling remains one of India’s strongest medal prospects.
India’s Greco-Roman Medal Tally at Bishkek 2026
| Wrestler | Weight | Medal |
|---|---|---|
| Lalit Sehrawat | 55 kg | Silver |
| Nitesh Siwach | 97 kg | Final pending |
| Sunil Kumar | 87 kg | Bronze |
Wrestling fans in India will watch the remaining bouts closely, with hopes of adding gold to what has already been a historic Greco-Roman campaign at the 2026 sporting season.
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