India’s women wrestlers expected to spearhead medal bid at Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games
In Kolkata on September 17, 2026, India’s women wrestlers were tipped to lead the country’s push for wrestling medals at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, with the squad featuring several experienced contenders and one teenage debutant.
Three Indian women had won bronze in the previous Asian Games, and the current roster includes two-time World championships medallist Antim Panghal (53kg), who returns aiming to upgrade her medal. The younger end of the squad is represented by 17-year-old Dipanshi (50kg); the remainder are largely experienced campaigners. Former Asian champion Manisha Bhanwala (57kg) and World under-23 bronze medallist Priya Malik (76kg) are named among the leading medal prospects. Former Asian silver medallist Nisha Dahiya (68kg) and 2024 Worlds bronze medallist Mansi Ahlawat (62kg), who has recovered from an injury, are also listed as podium-capable.
“We expect tough competition from China, Japan, the Koreas and Central Asian countries. But we will win medals,” women’s coach Virender Dahiya said, citing the primary external challengers India will face in the women’s events.
In men’s freestyle, Paris Olympics bronze medallist Aman Sehrawat (57kg) and World under-23 champion Sujeet Kalkal (65kg) are identified as the top names. Aman, fighting in 61kg, took silver in the Zagreb Open and Asian Championships before switching back to his pet 57kg to strike gold in the Budapest Ranking Series. Uzbekistan’s World and Olympic medallist Gulomjon Abdullaev is mentioned as a potential roadblock to Aman’s progress, and Aman aims to upgrade his Hangzhou bronze to gold.
Sujeet is noted for claiming the yellow metal in the Zagreb Open, Muhamet Malo Ranking Series and Asian Championships, but must contend with Olympic champion, Worlds silver medallist and local favourite Kotaro Kiyooka for top honours. Sagar Jaglan (74kg) is identified as another male wrestler with medal potential, while last edition’s 86kg silver medallist Deepak Punia’s decision to jump to 97kg may affect his movement. “We expect gold medals from Aman and Sujeet,” said freestyle coach Vinod Kumar.
In Greco-Roman, last Asiad’s bronze medallist Sunil Kumar (87kg), Asian under-23 champion Sumit Dalal (60kg) and Asian silver medallist Nitesh (97kg) are listed as the principal hopes for podium finishes. “Russian and Iranian wrestlers are representing Bahrain and Qatar after getting their citizenship. Nonetheless, we should win some medals,” Greco-Roman coach Hargobind Singh said, naming altered national affiliations among the field.
Despite losing three wrestlers to doping, the report concludes India should aim for a better haul than the six medals it secured in Hangzhou three years ago, with the Aichi-Nagoya campaign presented as an opportunity to improve on that total.