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Aman, Sujeet Lead India's Medal Charge at Asian Wrestling Championships

Olympic bronze medallist Aman Sehrawat and undefeated U23 world champion Sujeet Kalkal are the top contenders for India at the Asian Wrestling Championships in Bishkek. The Indian squad of 30 wrestlers will compete across Greco-Roman, women's, and freestyle categories over a new two-day format. The women's team will be without world medallist Antim Panghal, who lost her national trials. India aims to improve upon the 10 medals, including one gold, it won at the previous championships.

Key Points: India's Wrestling Hopes at Asian Championships in Bishkek

  • Aman Sehrawat competes in non-Olympic 61kg
  • Sujeet Kalkal eyes 65kg gold
  • Team missing Antim Panghal
  • 10 medals won at last edition
  • Event features new two-day format
3 min read

Aman, Sujeet lead India's medal hunt at Asian Wrestling Championships in Bishkek

Olympic medallist Aman Sehrawat & U23 world champ Sujeet Kalkal spearhead India's 30-wrestler squad at the Asian Wrestling Championships.

"Sujeet is unbeaten so far this year, winning golds in Zagreb and Tirana. - Report"

New Delhi, April 5

Olympic bronze medallist Aman Sehrawat and U23 world champion will spearhead the Indian challenge at the Asian Wrestling Championships in Bishkek, a city that hosted the competition in 2018 and 2024. The event, which will follow a two-day format for the first time, will begin on Monday with Greco-Roman, followed by women's wrestling and then freestyle.

Close to 350 wrestlers are competing for the 30 gold medals on offer. A total of 30 Indian wrestlers - 10 each for women's, men's freestyle and Greco-Roman categories - will compete at the continental championships.

Aman, who won his Olympic medal in the 57kg category, a division which also saw him become the Asian champion in 2023, will compete in the men's non-Olympic 61kg. The 22-year-old Indian wrestler has won a couple of Grand Prix medals in the category. Earlier this year, he clinched the silver at the Zagreb Open.

In-form Sujeet, the reigning U23 world champion in the 65kg category, will also be in action in Bishkek. India's last Asian champion, in a weight class other than 57kg, was crowned in 2019 when Bajrang Punia won the 65kg gold in a comeback for ages in Xi'an, China.

Now, Sujeet will look to end that drought and also look to give India an Asian title in three years.

Sujeet is unbeaten so far this year, winning golds in Zagreb and Tirana. He is in the top position to win gold at 65kg. He will have a familiar foe in Umidjon Jalalov (Uzbekistan) in the weight class.

When a match between Sujeet and Jalalov has taken place, the Indian has won all four times and the Uzbekistan wrestler will be keen on giving one back to the Indian.

Last year's 61kg Asian champion Takara Suda of Japan will be at 65kg in Bishkek and a challenge for Sujeet.

The Indian women's wrestling team, meanwhile, will be without World Championship medallist Antim Panghal, who lost the national trials for a spot in the 53kg division against Meenakshi Goyat last month. It was Antim's first defeat on the national circuit in three years.

Manisha Bhanwala, a gold medal winner at the 2025 Asian Wrestling Championships in the 62kg category, will compete in the 57kg division this year. Mansi Ahlawat will be in the 62kg spot.

In the Greco-Roman, five-time Asian Championships medallist Sunil Kumar will headline the Indian challenge. He will compete in the 87kg division.

At the last edition of the Asian Championships held in Amman, Jordan, Indian wrestlers clinched 10 medals - one gold, three silver and seven bronze.

Indian wrestling team for Asian Wrestling Championships 2026

Women: Neelam Sirohi (50kg), Meenakshi Goyat (53kg), Hansika Lamba (55kg), Manisha Bhanwala (57kg), Neha Sangwan (59kg), Mansi Ahlawat (62kg), Monika (65kg), Mansi Lather (68kg), Harshita (72kg), Kajal Dhochak (76kg).

Men's freestyle: Ankush (57kg), Aman Sehrawat (61kg), Sujeet Kalkal (65kg), Abhimanyou (70kg), Jaideep (74kg), Sandeep Singh Mann (79kg), Mukul Dahiya (86kg), Punit Kumar (92kg), Vicky (97kg), Dinesh (125kg).

Greco-Roman: Lalit (55kg), Sahil (60kg), Sunny Kumar (63kg), Sachin Sahrawat (67kg), Anil (72kg), Aman (77kg), Prince (82kg), Sunil Kumar (87kg), Nitesh (97kg), Joginder Rathee (130kg).

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
It's a bit disappointing that Antim Panghal isn't in the team. She's a world medallist! Losing one trial shouldn't keep such a talent out of a continental championship. The selection policy needs a review, honestly.
V
Vikram M
Strong team! Sunil Kumar in Greco-Roman is a veteran we can always count on. Hoping the women's team, especially Manisha Bhanwala, performs well. Last year's 10 medals were good, but we need more gold this time. All the best!
S
Sarah B
The depth in Indian wrestling is really impressive. So many categories and promising names. Sujeet vs Jalalov sounds like a great rivalry. Hope the matches are streamed live for fans here.
R
Rohit P
Bajrang Punia's 2019 win was epic! Hoping Sujeet can create a similar moment. The article says he's unbeaten this year - that's the form you want. Let's break that drought for a non-57kg gold. Jai Hind!
M
Michael C
Interesting to see the shift in weight classes for some athletes. Aman moving to 61kg is a strategic challenge. The two-day format should make for an intense competition. Best of luck to Team India.

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