New Delhi, April 5 (NationPress) Olympic bronze medalist Aman Sehrawat and U23 world champion will lead the Indian quest for glory at the Asian Wrestling Championships taking place in Bishkek, a city that previously hosted the tournament in 2018 and is set to do so again in 2024. This year, the event introduces a two-day format for the first time, commencing on Monday with Greco-Roman competitions, followed by women's wrestling and concluding with freestyle events.

Approximately 350 wrestlers are set to vie for the 30 available gold medals. India will field a total of 30 competitors—10 each from the women’s, men’s freestyle, and Greco-Roman categories—at this continental championship.

Aman, who secured his Olympic medal in the 57kg weight class and became the Asian champion in 2023, will compete in the men's non-Olympic 61kg category. The 22-year-old athlete has already earned several Grand Prix medals in this weight class, including a silver medal at the recent Zagreb Open earlier this year.

Meanwhile, the accomplished Sujeet Kalkal, reigning U23 world champion in the 65kg category, will also be representing India in Bishkek. The last Indian wrestler to claim an Asian championship title in a weight class other than 57kg was Bajrang Punia, who achieved this feat in 2019 by winning the 65kg gold in Xi'an, China.

Sujeet aims to break this title drought and secure an Asian championship for India after three years. He has remained undefeated this year, clinching gold medals in both Zagreb and Tirana, positioning him as a strong contender for the gold at 65kg. He will face a familiar rival, Umidjon Jalalov from Uzbekistan, in this weight category.

In their previous four encounters, Sujeet has emerged victorious against Jalalov, who will be eager to turn the tables this time.

The defending 61kg Asian champion, Takara Suda from Japan, will also compete in the 65kg category in Bishkek, presenting another challenge for Sujeet.

The Indian women's wrestling team will compete without World Championship medalist Antim Panghal, who was recently defeated in the national trials for the 53kg division by Meenakshi Goyat, marking her first loss on the national circuit in three years.

Manisha Bhanwala, who won gold at the 2025 Asian Wrestling Championships in the 62kg category, will compete in the 57kg division this time. Mansi Ahlawat is set to compete in the 62kg category.

In Greco-Roman wrestling, five-time Asian Championships medalist Sunil Kumar will lead the Indian participants in the 87kg division.

During the last edition of the Asian Championships held in Amman, Jordan, Indian wrestlers secured a total of 10 medals—one gold, three silver, and seven bronze.

Here is the Indian wrestling team for the upcoming Asian Wrestling Championships 2026:

Women: Neelam Sirohi (50kg), Meenakshi Goyat (53kg), Hansika Lamba (55kg), Manisha Bhanwala (57kg), Neha Sangwan (59kg), Mansi Ahlawat (62kg), Monika (65kg), Mansi Lather (68kg), Harshita (72kg), Kajal Dhochak (76kg).

Men’s freestyle: Ankush (57kg), Aman Sehrawat (61kg), Sujeet Kalkal (65kg), Abhimanyou (70kg), Jaideep (74kg), Sandeep Singh Mann (79kg), Mukul Dahiya (86kg), Punit Kumar (92kg), Vicky (97kg), Dinesh (125kg).

Greco-Roman: Lalit (55kg), Sahil (60kg), Sunny Kumar (63kg), Sachin Sahrawat (67kg), Anil (72kg), Aman (77kg), Prince (82kg), Sunil Kumar (87kg), Nitesh (97kg), Joginder Rathee (130kg).