Deepak Punia Leads Strong Indian Wrestling Team for 2026 Asian Games
Punia Shines at Selection Trials
Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) [India], May 31: Veteran wrestler and Asian Games silver medalist Deepak Punia showcased his exceptional skills during the selection trials, as the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) finalized a formidable men's team for the 2026 Asian Games at the Sports Authority of India (SAI) Centre in Lucknow on Sunday.
Star-Studded Indian Contingent
Punia will be joined by World No. 1 Sujeet Kalkal, Olympic bronze medalist Aman Sehrawat, and 2023 Asian Games bronze medalist Sunil Kumar. Kumar is set to lead a Greco-Roman squad that has shown remarkable improvement following impressive performances at the recent Asian Championships, as noted in a press release.
Impressive Performances at Trials
With 169 wrestlers vying for spots, Aman Sehrawat, a bronze medalist from the Paris Olympics, delivered a stellar performance, winning the 57kg final with an 11-1 score against Rahul. Sujeet Kalkal also secured his place for Aichi-Nagoya with a decisive 2-0 victory over Vishal Kaliramana in the 65kg category. Deepak Punia, primarily competing in the 86kg division, successfully claimed the 97kg spot after defeating Jointy Kumar 8-0, continuing his impressive form.
Depth in Freestyle Wrestling
Adding strength to the freestyle team, Sagar Jaglan triumphed in a tightly contested 74kg final, narrowly defeating Jaideep 8-6. Mukul Dahiya also earned the 86kg position with a hard-fought 4-2 win over Amit. In the heavyweight 125kg category, Rajat Rahal secured his place for the Asian Games with a notable 10-6 victory against Dinesh. The trials highlighted the depth of talent across various weight classes, with many matches showcasing fierce competition for spots on the Indian team heading to Aichi-Nagoya.
WFI President's Remarks
Sanjay Singh, President of the Wrestling Federation of India, congratulated the wrestlers who earned their spots in the Indian squad, emphasizing that the selection trials displayed a strong combination of seasoned athletes and emerging talent. He expressed confidence that this blend would be advantageous for the team at the 2026 Asian Games.
Greco-Roman Highlights
The Greco-Roman events featured multiple-time Asian Championships medalist and 2023 Asian Games bronze medalist Sunil Kumar, who reaffirmed his status as India's top wrestler in this discipline. He secured his place in the 87kg category with a solid 3-1 victory over Rohit Bura and will lead a Greco-Roman team that enters the Asian Games following a successful run at the recent Asian Championships.
Final Preparations for the Asian Games
Joining Sunil in the Greco-Roman squad, Sumit clinched the 60kg spot with a convincing 9-5 win over Chetan, while Deepak triumphed in the 67kg category after pinning Neeraj in a tense 10-6 match. Aman narrowly defeated Vijay 6-5 to secure the 77kg position, and Nitesh Kumar dominated the 97kg final with an 8-0 victory over Abhimanu. In the heavyweight 130kg division, Deepanshu concluded the trials with a composed 5-1 win over Ronak, securing his place in the Indian squad.
Looking Ahead
With the men's squad officially confirmed, the selected wrestlers will enter a rigorous national training camp to refine their strategies. This ambitious team aims to make history at the upcoming continental event, striving to enhance India's overall Asian Games wrestling medal tally of 65 and aiming to surpass the nation's previous best single-edition medal record on this prestigious stage in Asia.