Indian Wrestlers Bag 6 Medals at Asian Games, Set Eyes on 2028 Olympic Glory
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Putting behind recent struggles with form, fitness setbacks, and intense injury recoveries, India’s wrestling contingent delivered a commanding masterclass on the continental stage, securing a remarkable haul of six medals—including two coveted gold medals—at the Asian Games. Touching down on home soil in New Delhi to a rousing hero's welcome on Monday, October 5, 2026, the athletes wasted no time declaring their next big mission: carrying their podium momentum directly onto the mat at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games. Fueled by resilient mat craft and tactical grit, India's star grapplers vowed that the Indian national anthem will echo triumphantly across the Olympic arenas in the United States.
The Golden Run: Aman Sehrawat and Sujeet Kalkal Power 6-Medal Continental Tally
India's wrestling campaign reflected dominance across both freestyle and Greco-Roman categories:
Double Gold in Freestyle: Rising mat sensation Aman Sehrawat and powerhouse Sujeet Kalkal spearheaded the gold rush with flawless campaigns, outwrestling top Asian competitors to clinch individual titles.
Silver Feats on the Mat: Heavyweight sensation Nitesh Siwach bagged a historic silver in the men's 97 kg Greco-Roman event, while young dynamo Anant Panghal produced an exceptional tournament run to secure a well-earned silver medal.
Double Bronze Additions: Proven champion Deepak Punia alongside veteran Greco-Roman campaigner Sunil Kumar fought their way through grueling repechage and bronze medal bouts to seal two podium finishes, bringing India's overall medal count to an impressive six.
'Our Anthem Will Play in Los Angeles': Grapplers Target the 2028 Olympic Stage
Returning home to roaring crowds at the airport, India's medalists expressed unyielding resolve toward future international honors:
Aman Sehrawat's Inspiring Comeback: Addressing media upon arrival on Monday, the 23-year-old champion spoke about overcoming painful setbacks, stating: "Life has its ups and downs and injuries, but I had complete faith in myself. We should never give up, and that's what I did. My next goal is the Olympics. Now, our national anthem will be played at the Los Angeles Olympics."
Delivering Under Pressure: Fellow gold medalist Sujeet Kalkal highlighted that the Asian Games campaign was about rising to national expectations and proving India's pipeline remains among the world's elite.
Nitesh Siwach Eyes Top Spot: Reflecting on his men's 97 kg Greco-Roman silver, Siwach maintained that his sole objective was gold, adding: "We will continue to do our best and hope to return with a medal from the Olympics."
Grand Airport Reception: Haryana Sports Minister Felicitates Returning Champions
Celebrations swept the national capital as sports dignitaries and families gathered to honor the wrestling icons:
Ministerial Welcome at IGI Airport: Haryana Sports Minister Gaurav Gautam personally arrived at the New Delhi airport alongside the families of Deepak Punia and Anant Panghal to garland and congratulate the returning heroes.
Celebrating Haryana's Sporting Bedrock: State authorities praised the grapplers for cementing Haryana's legacy as India's premier wrestling nursery, ensuring top-tier infrastructure and support systems ahead of upcoming international qualifications.
Road to LA28 Commences: With the continental assignment wrapped up in emphatic fashion, coaches and the national sports federations are mapping out specialized training camps and overseas exposure tours to sharpen skills for the 2028 Olympic cycle.
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