India wrestling coach Bentinidis unveils individual roadmaps for 2026 Asian Games
Synopsis
India's new wrestling head coach Emzarios Bentinidis is scrapping blanket training in favour of bespoke athlete roadmaps ahead of the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya. With World No. 1 Sujeet Kalkal, Olympic medallist Aman Sehrawat, and two-time World Championships bronze medallist Antim Panghal all confirmed, this is arguably India's most credentialled wrestling squad in years — and the real test is whether Bentinidis's individualised system can deliver medals on the continental stage.
Key Takeaways
Emzarios Bentinidis (known as Shako) has been appointed India's new wrestling head coach ahead of the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan .
Bentinidis attended WFI selection trials at the SAI Centre, Lucknow on 1 June and has committed to individualised training roadmaps for every wrestler.
1 Sujeet Kalkal (65kg) and Olympic bronze medallist Aman Sehrawat (57kg) headline the men's freestyle squad.
Two-time World Championships bronze medallist Antim Panghal (53kg) leads the women's contingent, finalised at the Indira Gandhi Stadium, New Delhi .
2023 Asian Games bronze medallist Sunil Kumar (87kg) anchors the Greco-Roman unit.
India has confirmed 18 wrestlers across freestyle (men and women) and Greco-Roman disciplines for the Games.
New Indian wrestling head coach Emzarios Bentinidis has outlined a sweeping masterplan for the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, placing individualised athlete roadmaps and focused training at the centre of his strategy. The Greek coach, widely known as Shako, articulated his vision on 1 June in the wake of high-stakes Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) selection trials held in Lucknow and New Delhi.
The coaching philosophy
Attending the men's selection trials at the Sports Authority of India (SAI) Centre in Lucknow, Bentinidis made clear that a one-size-fits-all training approach has no place in his programme. 'Every wrestler is different and requires a different approach. There is no single formula for success,' he said.
'Some athletes need more focus on technical improvement, while others need better physical conditioning or tactical awareness on the mat. My priority right now is to spend time with the wrestlers, understand their individual needs, and create a clear roadmap for each of them so they can focus on achieving results at major events such as the Asian Games,' Bentinidis added.
The new head coach signalled a pivot toward a professional, uniform management system — one that tracks each athlete's developmental arc independently and ensures peak performance aligns with the continental calendar.
Freestyle squad locks in Asian Games berths
India's premier freestyle wrestlers delivered commanding performances under the new coach's watch. World No. 1 Sujeet Kalkal secured his 65kg berth with a clinical 2-0 victory, while Olympic bronze medallist Aman Sehrawat cruised to an 11-1 win in the 57kg final. The freestyle roster is further strengthened by Asian Games silver medallist Deepak Punia (97kg), Sagar Jaglan (74kg), Mukul Dahiya (86kg), and Rajat Ruhal (125kg), all of whom triumphed in their respective brackets.
Greco-Roman and women's squads show depth
2023 Asian Games bronze medallist Sunil Kumar demonstrated his enduring class with a 3-1 victory to seal his 87kg spot, leading a Greco-Roman unit that includes Sumit Dalal (60kg), Deepak (67kg), Aman (77kg), Nitesh Kumar (97kg), and Deepanshu (130kg).
The women's contingent, finalised at the Indira Gandhi Stadium in New Delhi, is anchored by two-time World Championships bronze medallist Antim Panghal (53kg). She is joined by Nisha Dahiya (68kg), Mansi Ahlawat (62kg), Manisha Bhanwala (57kg), Dipanshi (50kg), and Priya Malik (72kg).
Full Indian wrestling squad for Asian Games 2026
Women's freestyle: Antim Panghal (53kg), Nisha Dahiya (68kg), Mansi Ahlawat (62kg), Manisha Bhanwala (57kg), Dipanshi (50kg), Priya Malik (72kg).
Men's freestyle: Aman Sehrawat (57kg), Sujeet Kalkal (65kg), Sagar Jaglan (74kg), Mukul Dahiya (86kg), Deepak Punia (97kg), Rajat Ruhal (125kg).
Greco-Roman: Sumit Dalal (60kg), Deepak (67kg), Aman (77kg), Sunil Kumar (87kg), Nitesh Kumar (97kg), Deepanshu (130kg).
With the squad now finalised across all three disciplines, India heads into the build-up phase with a clearer structure than it has had in recent cycles — and a coach determined to make every training day count.
Point of View
But it marks a genuine philosophical break from the centralised, uniform training culture that has long defined Indian wrestling camps. The real question is whether the WFI's administrative machinery — historically prone to selection controversies and governance disputes — will give him the uninterrupted runway he needs. India's wrestling medal count at the Asiad has been inconsistent; the talent pool is arguably deeper than ever, but depth alone has not always translated into podium finishes. If Bentinidis can insulate his athletes from institutional turbulence and execute the personalised model he is promising, the 2026 Games could mark a genuine inflection point.
NationPress
20 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is India's new wrestling head coach for the 2026 Asian Games?
India's new wrestling head coach is Emzarios Bentinidis, a veteran Greek coach widely known as Shako. He was present at the WFI selection trials in Lucknow on 1 June and has outlined a strategy built around individualised training roadmaps for each wrestler in the national squad.
Which wrestlers have qualified for India's Asian Games 2026 squad?
The confirmed squad spans three disciplines. Men's freestyle includes Aman Sehrawat (57kg), Sujeet Kalkal (65kg), Sagar Jaglan (74kg), Mukul Dahiya (86kg), Deepak Punia (97kg), and Rajat Ruhal (125kg). The Greco-Roman unit features Sumit Dalal, Deepak, Aman, Sunil Kumar, Nitesh Kumar, and Deepanshu. The women's team is led by Antim Panghal alongside Nisha Dahiya, Mansi Ahlawat, Manisha Bhanwala, Dipanshi, and Priya Malik.
What is Bentinidis's coaching approach for the 2026 Asian Games?
Bentinidis has rejected a blanket training methodology in favour of bespoke developmental paths for each wrestler, tailored to their specific technical, physical, or tactical needs. His stated goal is to ensure every athlete peaks precisely at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya.
Where were the WFI selection trials held?
The men's selection trials were held at the Sports Authority of India (SAI) Centre in Lucknow, while the women's contingent was finalised simultaneously at the Indira Gandhi Stadium in New Delhi, both on 1 June.
Where are the 2026 Asian Games being held?
The 2026 Asian Games are scheduled to be held in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. India's wrestling squad has now been fully confirmed across freestyle, Greco-Roman, and women's disciplines ahead of the continental showpiece.
