India Records Best Asian Games Wrestling Campaign Since 1962

India ended its wrestling campaign at the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games in Japan with six medals, including two gold, two silver and two bronze. This was India’s best wrestling performance at the Asian Games since Jakarta 1962, when the country won 12 medals, including three gold.

Asian Games Wrestling Events

Wrestling at the Asian Games includes freestyle and Greco-Roman disciplines for men, and freestyle events for women. The sport is governed internationally by United World Wrestling, which regulates weight categories, bout rules and competition formats.

Indian Medal Winners in Aichi-Nagoya 2026

Aman Sehrawat won gold in the men’s freestyle 57kg category on 3 October 2026 after defeating reigning world champion Han Chong Song of North Korea 11-7 in the final. Sujeet Kalkal won gold in the men’s freestyle 65kg category on 2 October 2026 after a 10-9 win over Abdulmazhid Kudiev of Tajikistan.

Antim Panghal won silver in the women’s 53kg category, and Nitesh Siwach won silver in the men’s Greco-Roman 97kg category. Deepak Punia won bronze in the men’s freestyle 97kg category, and Sunil Kumar won bronze in the men’s Greco-Roman 87kg category.

Important Facts for Exams

• Jakarta 1962 remains India’s best Asian Games wrestling campaign by medal count, with 12 medals.
• India won its first men’s freestyle double gold at the Asian Games since 1978 through Aman Sehrawat and Sujeet Kalkal.
• Nitesh Siwach ended India’s 64-year wait for a Greco-Roman medal at the Asian Games.
• Sunil Kumar became the first Indian Greco-Roman wrestler with two Asian Games medals.

Asian Games Wrestling in India’s Medal History

India has won medals in both freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling at the Asian Games across multiple editions. The 2026 result added to India’s record in combat sports at the continental level.