Aman Sehrawat wins Asian Games 57kg wrestling gold, stuns world champion 11-7
Synopsis
Aman Sehrawat didn't just win gold at the Asian Games 2026 — he toppled the reigning world champion to do it, becoming the first Indian to claim the 57kg freestyle title. Combined with Sujeet Kalkal's 65kg gold earlier in the day, India achieved something that hasn't happened since 1978: two men's freestyle wrestling golds at a single Asian Games.
Key Takeaways
Aman Sehrawat defeated North Korea's reigning world champion Han Chong-song 11-7 to win gold in men's 57kg freestyle wrestling at the Asian Games 2026 in Nagoya .
Sehrawat is the first Indian to win gold in the men's 57kg freestyle division at the Asian Games.
He trailed Han 6-7 before scoring four consecutive points to seal the match in the closing stages.
Sujeet Kalkal won gold in men's 65kg freestyle earlier on the same day, overcoming a 2-9 deficit to beat Tajikistan's Kudiyev 10-9 .
India's wrestling double gold is the first such feat since 1978 in the men's freestyle category at the Asian Games.
Sehrawat is also an Olympic bronze medallist from the Paris Games and previously won bronze at the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games .
India's Aman Sehrawat delivered one of his finest performances on the mat, defeating reigning world champion Han Chong-song of North Korea 11-7 to clinch the gold medal in the men's 57kg freestyle wrestling final at the Asian Games 2026 in Nagoya on 3 October 2026. With the victory, Sehrawat became the first Indian wrestler to win gold in the men's 57kg freestyle division at the Asian Games.
A Rollercoaster Final
The bout at the Nagoya City Inae Sports Center was anything but straightforward. Sehrawat raced to a 6-1 lead in the second half, only for Han to mount a fierce comeback — landing three two-pointers to swing the scoreline to 7-6 in his favour. With the clock winding down, the Indian responded with a four-point burst — combining a takedown and a roll — to surge to 10-7. Han's unsuccessful challenge cost him a point, sealing the final tally at 11-7 as Sehrawat defended his lead through the final 30 seconds.
A Remarkable Route to the Final
Sehrawat's path to gold demonstrated both dominance and resilience. He opened the day with a 20-9 technical superiority win over Japan's Yamato Ogawa, followed by a 12-1 dismantling of Kazakhstan's Nurdanat Aitanov in the quarterfinals. The semifinal against Tajikistan's Aiaal Belolyubskii was his sternest test — Sehrawat trailed 2-6 after the opening period before pulling off a spectacular reversal, outscoring his opponent 12-2 in the second half to win 14-8.
From Paris Bronze to Nagoya Gold
Sehrawat, already an Olympic bronze medallist from the Paris Games, had previously won a bronze at the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games. The gold in Nagoya marks a significant step up — converting continental bronze to continental gold while simultaneously toppling the world champion. His trajectory from emerging talent to Asia's best in his weight class has been remarkably swift.
India's Historic Wrestling Double
Sehrawat's triumph came hours after Sujeet Kalkal clinched gold in the men's freestyle 65kg category, overcoming Tajikistan's Abdulmazhid Kudiyev 10-9 in a dramatic final. Kalkal, 23, had been trailing 2-9 before scoring eight consecutive points in the closing stages to complete a stunning turnaround. Together, the two golds mark the first time since 1978 that India have won two gold medals in the men's freestyle wrestling category at a single Asian Games — a historic milestone for Indian wrestling.
What This Means for Indian Wrestling
India's wrestling programme has undergone significant turbulence in recent years, making these back-to-back golds all the more significant. Both Sehrawat and Kalkal represent a new generation of Indian grapplers capable of competing at the very highest level. With the next Olympic cycle already under way, Sehrawat's ability to beat the reigning world champion will raise expectations heading into the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Point of View
Suggesting the pipeline, not just the individual, has matured. With the Paris bronze already on the shelf and the world champion now beaten, the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics conversation around Sehrawat will shift from 'can he medal?' to 'can he go all the way?' The real test is whether Indian wrestling's governing framework — still emerging from a turbulent period — can sustain and channel this generation's potential.
NationPress
3 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Aman Sehrawat win at the Asian Games 2026?
Aman Sehrawat won the gold medal in men's 57kg freestyle wrestling at the Asian Games 2026 in Nagoya, defeating North Korea's reigning world champion Han Chong-song 11-7 in the final. He is the first Indian to win gold in this weight category at the Asian Games.
How did the 57kg wrestling final unfold?
Sehrawat led 6-1 in the second half before Han Chong-song rallied with three two-pointers to take a 7-6 lead. Sehrawat then scored four points via a takedown and a roll, and Han's unsuccessful challenge cost him a point, making the final score 11-7 to the Indian.
Why is India's wrestling performance at Asian Games 2026 historically significant?
India won two gold medals in men's freestyle wrestling — Sujeet Kalkal in 65kg and Aman Sehrawat in 57kg — on the same day, making it the first time since 1978 that India has claimed two men's freestyle wrestling golds at a single Asian Games. The achievement underlines the depth of India's current wrestling generation.
What are Aman Sehrawat's previous major medals?
Sehrawat is an Olympic bronze medallist from the Paris Games and also won bronze at the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games. The Nagoya gold represents an upgrade on both those continental and Olympic results and comes with the added distinction of defeating the reigning world champion.
How did Sujeet Kalkal win his gold at Asian Games 2026?
Sujeet Kalkal won gold in men's freestyle 65kg by defeating Tajikistan's Abdulmazhid Kudiyev 10-9 in a dramatic comeback. The 23-year-old was trailing 2-9 before scoring eight consecutive points in the final stages to complete one of the day's most remarkable turnarounds.
