CM Samrat Choudhary hails Nitesh Siwach's historic Asian Games silver
Synopsis
Bihar CM Samrat Choudhary congratulated Nitesh Siwach on winning silver in the men's 97 kg Greco-Roman wrestling event at Asian Games 2026 — making Siwach the first Indian to reach the final in that category in 64 years.
Key Takeaways
Nitesh Siwach won a silver medal in men's 97 kg Greco-Roman wrestling at the 2026 Asian Games .
He became the first Indian wrestler to reach the final in this category in 64 years .
Bihar CM Samrat Choudhary publicly congratulated Siwach on X on October 1, 2026 .
Choudhary called the feat a source of national pride and said it would inspire young Indian athletes.
The achievement marks a rare breakthrough for India in the technically demanding Greco-Roman discipline.
Sixty-four years is a long time to wait — and Nitesh Siwach ended that wait in a single, historic bout. The Indian wrestler claimed a silver medal in the men's 97 kg Greco-Roman wrestling event at the Asian Games 2026, becoming the first Indian to reach the final in that category in 64 years — a milestone that has drawn congratulations from across the country's political leadership.
Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary was among the first to publicly celebrate the feat, posting a warm tribute on X on Thursday, October 1, 2026. 'Aithasik uplabdhi' — 'a historic achievement' — is how the Chief Minister opened his message, and the phrase is hard to argue with.
64 years: what Siwach's final appearance means
Greco-Roman wrestling demands that competitors use only their upper body — no holds below the waist, no leg attacks. It is a discipline that has historically been a weak spot for Indian wrestling, which has found far greater success in freestyle events. Breaking into the final of the 97 kg Greco-Roman category at the Asian Games, therefore, is not just an individual triumph — it is a structural breakthrough for the sport in India.
The last time an Indian wrestler reached this stage in this discipline was over six decades ago, placing Siwach in a very short and distinguished list of Indian Greco-Roman pioneers.
CM Choudhary's tribute: pride, inspiration, and a call to youth
In his post under the hashtag #AsianGames2026 and #Cheer4Bharat, Chief Minister Choudhary offered more than a routine congratulatory note. He wrote that Siwach's achievement would 'increase the pride of the nation and inspire young athletes to perform with excellence' — framing the silver not as a consolation but as a launching pad for the next generation of Indian wrestlers.
'The entire country is proud of this achievement,' Choudhary added, closing with wishes for Siwach's bright future. The message from one of the BJP's senior state leaders underscores how sporting breakthroughs at continental Games carry political and cultural weight far beyond the arena.
India's Greco-Roman wrestling: a discipline on the rise
Indian wrestling's global reputation has been built largely on freestyle wrestlers — names that have dominated world championships and Olympic podiums. Greco-Roman, by contrast, has received comparatively less institutional attention and fewer medal hopes. Siwach's silver at the 2026 Asian Games signals that the gap is closing, and that investment — in training, coaching, and competitive exposure — is beginning to yield results at the continental level.
Whether this silver translates into a podium push at future World Championships or the next Olympic cycle will depend on the support structures around athletes like Siwach. But the benchmark has now been set — publicly, emphatically, and with the nation watching.
Point of View
Making a continental finalist — after six decades — a genuine policy conversation starter about funding and coaching depth. CM Choudhary's rapid public tribute reflects a broader BJP pattern of amplifying sporting achievements as national-pride moments, particularly ahead of electoral cycles. The 'inspiration for youth' framing is politically smart but also substantively correct — rare continental breakthroughs in overlooked disciplines can shift grassroots participation. If India's wrestling federation channels this moment into structured Greco-Roman development, the 2026 milestone could look, in hindsight, like the inflection point.
NationPress
1 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Nitesh Siwach?
Nitesh Siwach is an Indian Greco-Roman wrestler who competed in the men's 97 kg category at the 2026 Asian Games, winning a silver medal and becoming the first Indian to reach the final in that event in 64 years.
What did Nitesh Siwach win at the 2026 Asian Games?
Nitesh Siwach won a silver medal in the men's 97 kg Greco-Roman wrestling event at the 2026 Asian Games.
Why is Nitesh Siwach's Asian Games result historic?
He became the first Indian wrestler to reach the final of the men's 97 kg Greco-Roman event at the Asian Games in 64 years — a breakthrough in a discipline where India has historically struggled.
What did Bihar CM Samrat Choudhary say about Nitesh Siwach?
CM Choudhary congratulated Siwach on X, calling his achievement historic and saying it would increase national pride and inspire young Indian athletes to excel.
What is Greco-Roman wrestling?
Greco-Roman wrestling is a discipline in which competitors may only use holds above the waist — no leg attacks or grabs are permitted — making it technically distinct from the freestyle wrestling at which India has been more successful internationally.
