Nitesh Siwach Advances to Final; Mansi Ahlawat's Medal Hopes End at Asian Games

At the Asian Games, Nitesh Siwach has advanced to the men's Greco-Roman 97kg final with a decisive 9-0 victory, ensuring India its second wrestling medal. Meanwhile, Mansi Ahlawat's quest for gold ended in the semifinals against Japan's Nonoka Ozaki. In other sports, India faced mixed results in judo and secured a bronze in women's team squash. The country continues to build on its medal tally, now totaling 60 medals across various disciplines. Stay tuned for more updates on India's performance at the Games.

By Narendra Chaudhary Oct 1, 2026, 11:04 IST

Wrestling Highlights from the Asian Games

Nitesh Siwach secured his place in the men's Greco-Roman 97kg final with an impressive 9-0 win against Mongolia's Gankhuyag Ganbaatar. This victory marks a significant achievement for Siwach, who previously earned a silver medal at the Asian Championships earlier this year. His performance at the Aichi-Nagoya Games guarantees India its second wrestling medal.

In the quarterfinals, Nitesh showcased his skills by defeating Turkmenistan's Amanberdi Agamammedov with a score of 7-1, establishing a commanding 7-0 lead in the first period. He is set to compete for gold against the winner of the semifinal match between Iran's Mehdi Balihamzehdeh and Japan's Yuri Nakazato.

On the other hand, Mansi Ahlawat's aspirations for a gold medal were thwarted in the women's 62kg semifinal, where she faced Japan's two-time world champion Nonoka Ozaki. Despite her efforts, Mansi lost 0-6, with Ozaki taking an early lead and maintaining control throughout the match. Mansi, a former World Championships bronze medallist in the 59kg category, will have another opportunity to vie for a bronze medal in the repechage.

Updates from Judo, Squash, and Team Events

India experienced mixed results in judo on Thursday. Yamini Mourya was eliminated in the women's 57kg quarterfinal by Mongolia's Ariunzaya Terbish and will now compete against Japan's Mio Shirakane in the repechage for a chance at the bronze medal. In the women's 70kg category, Inunganbi Takhellambam advanced to the quarterfinals after defeating Nepal's Punam Shrestha by ippon and will face North Korea's Mun Song Hui next.

In women's team squash, India secured a bronze medal despite a 1-2 loss to Hong Kong in the semifinal.

Earlier in the day, India confirmed a medal in men's sepaktakraw by defeating Vietnam 2-0 in the Group A quadrant match, securing a spot in the semifinals.

Unfortunately, India's men's volleyball team faced disappointment, losing 0-3 to Pakistan in the quarterfinals.

As of Day 12, India has amassed a total of 60 medals, including 10 gold, 21 silver, and 29 bronze, continuing to enhance its medal tally across various sports.