India's Asian Games 2026 wrestling squad: Sujeet Kalkal, Aman Sehrawat, Deepak Punia named
Synopsis
India's strongest men's wrestling squad in years has been finalised for the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, with World No. 1 Sujeet Kalkal, Olympic bronze medallist Aman Sehrawat, and Asian Games silver medallist Deepak Punia all earning their berths. With 169 wrestlers competing for spots and a Greco-Roman unit riding momentum from the Asian Championships, India is targeting a record single-edition medal haul.
Key Takeaways
The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) finalised India's men's squad for the 2026 Asian Games at the SAI Centre, Lucknow on 31 May .
Aman Sehrawat (57kg), Sujeet Kalkal (65kg), and Deepak Punia (97kg) all secured their berths through the trials.
169 wrestlers competed across weight categories, reflecting the depth of India's domestic wrestling pool.
The Greco-Roman unit, led by Sunil Kumar (87kg), enters the Games on the back of a strong run at the recent Asian Championships .
India's all-time Asian Games wrestling tally stands at 65 medals ; the squad will aim to set a new single-edition record in Aichi-Nagoya .
The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) officially finalised India's men's wrestling squad for the 2026 Asian Games at the Sports Authority of India (SAI) Centre in Lucknow on Sunday, 31 May, following a high-stakes selection trial that drew 169 wrestlers across weight categories. World No. 1 Sujeet Kalkal, Olympic bronze medallist Aman Sehrawat, and Asian Games silver medallist Deepak Punia headline a squad that blends proven international experience with emerging domestic talent.
Key Selection Results
Aman Sehrawat, the Paris Olympic bronze medallist, lived up to his billing with a dominant 11-1 victory over Rahul in the 57kg freestyle final. Sujeet Kalkal booked his berth to Aichi-Nagoya with a composed 2-0 win over Vishal Kaliramana in the 65kg category. Deepak Punia, who has largely competed at 86kg, stepped up to secure the 97kg slot with an emphatic 8-0 demolition of Jointy Kumar.
In other freestyle bouts, Sagar Jaglan edged past Jaideep 8-6 to claim the 74kg berth, while Mukul Dahiya won the 86kg spot with a hard-fought 4-2 win over Amit. Rajat Rahal secured the heavyweight 125kg place with a commanding 10-6 win over Dinesh.
Greco-Roman Unit Enters on Strong Form
The Greco-Roman contingent is led by Sunil Kumar, a multiple-time Asian Championships medallist and 2023 Asian Games bronze medallist, who sealed the 87kg berth with a clinical 3-1 win over Rohit Bura. The unit arrives at the Games on the back of a highly successful run at the recent Asian Championships, which has bolstered confidence heading into Aichi-Nagoya.
Sumit claimed the 60kg slot with a 9-5 win over Chetan, while Deepak pinned Neeraj following a 10-6 contest to take the 67kg category. Aman edged Vijay 6-5 in one of the tightest bouts of the day to claim the 77kg spot. Nitesh Kumar dominated the 97kg Greco-Roman final with an 8-0 win over Abhimanu, and Deepanshu sealed the 130kg place with a 5-1 win over Ronak.
What the WFI President Said
WFI President Sanjay Singh congratulated the selected wrestlers, saying: 'I congratulate all the wrestlers who have earned their place in the Indian squad through a highly competitive selection process. The trials reflected the perfect blend of experienced campaigners and emerging young talent, which is a testament to the depth and strength of Indian wrestling today. We are confident that this balance of youth and experience will serve the team well as they prepare for the Asian Games, and I am certain our wrestlers will compete with determination, uphold the nation's pride, and strive for podium finishes on the continental stage.'
What Comes Next
With the squad locked in, the selected wrestlers will move directly into a rigorous national preparatory camp ahead of the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya. India's all-time Asian Games wrestling tally stands at 65 medals, and this contingent will aim to surpass the country's previous best single-edition medal haul at the continental showpiece.
Point of View
And it carries risk. Moving up a weight class at the Asian Games level is not a routine adjustment; it signals either a tactical gamble or a gap in India's 97kg depth. Meanwhile, the Greco-Roman unit's confidence after the Asian Championships is genuine, but continental championship form and Asian Games performance are not the same currency — India has historically underperformed in Greco-Roman relative to freestyle on the biggest stages. The real test of this squad's ambition will be whether the medal tally can finally break out of its historic range, or whether 'record haul' talk once again outpaces the podium count.
NationPress
11 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the key wrestlers in India's men's squad for the 2026 Asian Games?
India's squad is headlined by World No. 1 Sujeet Kalkal (65kg), Olympic bronze medallist Aman Sehrawat (57kg), and Asian Games silver medallist Deepak Punia (97kg). The Greco-Roman unit is led by 2023 Asian Games bronze medallist Sunil Kumar (87kg).
Where were the WFI selection trials for the 2026 Asian Games held?
The trials were held at the Sports Authority of India (SAI) Centre in Lucknow on 31 May 2026, with 169 wrestlers competing for places in the men's squad.
Why did Deepak Punia compete at 97kg instead of his usual 86kg?
Deepak Punia, who has largely competed in the 86kg division, moved up to secure the 97kg berth, winning his bout 8-0 against Jointy Kumar. The source does not specify a reason for the weight-class shift.
What is India's all-time Asian Games wrestling medal tally?
India's all-time Asian Games wrestling tally stands at 65 medals. The 2026 squad is targeting a new single-edition medal record at the Games in Aichi-Nagoya.
What happens after the squad selection?
The selected wrestlers will move into a rigorous national preparatory camp to fine-tune their strategies ahead of the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya.
