Nitesh Siwach takes silver after 0-4 loss to Japan's Yuri Nakazato in Nagoya at Asian Games

Nitesh Siwach settled for a silver medal after being defeated 0-4 by Japan’s Yuri Nakazato in the Greco-Roman competition at the Asian Games in Nagoya on October 1, 2026. The result extended India’s search for a Greco-Roman Asian Games champion.

Siwach began the bout attempting a two-on-one grip but was repeatedly denied clear attacking opportunities by Nakazato. The contest opened with a push-out that put the Japanese ahead, and Siwach was placed in a ground position for passivity at one stage. India’s only earlier Greco-Roman gold medals at the Asian Games came in 1962, when Malwa Singh won at 52kg and Ganpat Andalkar at +97kg in Jakarta.

Nakazato’s initial push-out provided the first points and forced Siwach onto the mat for a passivity call; despite that, Siwach defended tenaciously and prevented Nakazato from executing a scoring gut wrench. The Japanese maintained control of grips and body position, limiting Siwach’s ability to create counter chances.

By the end of the opening period Nakazato had moved ahead 2-0 and spent the closing moments of the stanza holding Siwach in a head-lock position. That sustained pressure restricted Siwach’s space to launch the kind of attacks he had tried earlier in the bout.

Later in the match Nakazato unsettled Siwach with a push that was converted into a successful takedown, extending the lead to 4-0 and effectively deciding the outcome. With about a minute remaining Siwach required an attacking sequence to close the gap, but Nakazato’s defence prevented him from mounting a comeback.

The report on the bout was published at 04:53 pm IST and updated at 05:01 pm IST on October 1, 2026, from Nagoya. Siwach’s silver means India’s wait to see a Greco-Roman-style Asian Games champion continues.