Sunil Kumar wins Asian Games bronze, makes history as first Indian with two Greco-Roman medals
Synopsis
Sunil Kumar did not just win a bronze at the Asian Games 2026 — he made history. The 27-year-old became the first Indian wrestler to win two Greco-Roman medals at the continental games, completing a remarkable comeback from knee surgery with a clinical 9-0 technical superiority win over the Philippines in Nagoya. His first call after the medal? His mother.
Key Takeaways
Sunil Kumar won bronze in the men's 87kg Greco-Roman event at the Asian Games 2026 in Nagoya .
He defeated the Philippines' Callum Johnston Roberts 9-0 by technical superiority.
The 27-year-old became the first Indian wrestler to win two Greco-Roman medals at the Asian Games, having also taken bronze at Hangzhou 2022 .
Kumar returned to competition after knee surgery , with rehabilitation support from sponsors IIS .
His first post-medal call was to his mother , who he credited with supporting him through recovery.
Greco-Roman wrestler Sunil Kumar claimed a bronze medal in the men's 87kg category at the Asian Games 2026 in Nagoya on Wednesday, defeating the Philippines' Callum Johnston Roberts by a commanding 9-0 margin via technical superiority. The win made the 27-year-old the first Indian wrestler to secure two Greco-Roman medals at the Asian Games, having previously won bronze at Hangzhou 2022 in the same weight class.
A Historic Return from Injury
The achievement carries added weight given what Kumar had to overcome. Following knee surgery, he underwent an extensive rehabilitation programme backed by his sponsors IIS, who supported him through every stage of his recovery. Coming into the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games as his second continental appearance, Kumar had set his sights firmly on gold — making the bronze a bittersweet but deeply personal triumph.
'Winning a medal for India means a lot to me. I came here with the aim of winning gold for the country, so I know there is more I could have done, but I'm proud to have returned from my injury and stood on the podium,' Kumar said, as quoted by his sponsors on Wednesday.
Dominant Display at Nagoya City Inae Sports Centre
The bronze-medal bout at the Nagoya City Inae Sports Centre was a one-sided affair from the opening whistle. Kumar took immediate control, throwing Roberts over twice in the first exchanges to collect four points. A passivity penalty followed within 90 seconds, extending his lead to 5-0. He capitalised on a second passivity sequence to take his opponent down and push the score to 7-0, before executing a final scoring move to reach the nine-point margin required for technical superiority, bringing the contest to an emphatic early conclusion.
The First Call Was to His Mother
Away from the mat, Kumar's first instinct after the medal was secured was to reach for his phone. 'The first person I called after winning was my mother. I'm really thankful for the blessings and support from everyone. I can't wait to go back and celebrate this win with her,' he said, as quoted by his sponsors.
His mother's support through the gruelling post-surgery rehabilitation period was, by his own account, a cornerstone of his comeback. The moment underlines the deeply personal dimension behind what is also a landmark sporting achievement.
What This Win Means for Indian Wrestling
Greco-Roman wrestling has historically been the less-decorated discipline for India at the Asian Games, with the country's medals largely concentrated in freestyle events. Kumar's back-to-back podium finishes in the 87kg class represent a rare and growing consistency in a format that demands exceptional upper-body technique and tactical discipline. This is the second consecutive Asian Games at which he has stood on the podium, a record no other Indian Greco-Roman wrestler has matched. With the next Asian Games cycle already on the horizon, Kumar's trajectory — injury comeback included — sets a credible benchmark for the next generation of Indian Greco-Roman wrestlers.
Point of View
A discipline that has long lived in the shadow of freestyle on the domestic circuit. Back-to-back Asian Games medals in the same weight class, separated by a major knee surgery, is the kind of consistency that demands institutional investment, not just individual grit. The question mainstream coverage skips is whether IIS and the Wrestling Federation of India will now build a systemic pathway around Kumar's model, or treat this as a one-off feel-good story. India's Greco-Roman medal count at the Asian Games remains thin; two of those medals now belong to one man.
NationPress
30 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What medal did Sunil Kumar win at the Asian Games 2026?
Sunil Kumar won a bronze medal in the men's 87kg Greco-Roman wrestling event at the Asian Games 2026 in Nagoya on Wednesday. He defeated the Philippines' Callum Johnston Roberts 9-0 by technical superiority.
Why is Sunil Kumar's bronze medal historically significant?
The win made Kumar the first Indian wrestler to win two Greco-Roman medals at the Asian Games. He had previously won bronze in the same 87kg category at the Hangzhou 2022 Asian Games.
How did Sunil Kumar perform in the bronze-medal bout?
Kumar dominated the contest from the start, taking a 5-0 lead within 90 seconds and eventually winning 9-0 by technical superiority. The bout was held at the Nagoya City Inae Sports Centre.
What injury did Sunil Kumar recover from before the Asian Games 2026?
Sunil Kumar underwent knee surgery ahead of the Asian Games 2026. He credited sponsors IIS with supporting his rehabilitation and helping him return to competitive form.
Who did Sunil Kumar call first after winning his medal?
Kumar called his mother first after winning the bronze medal. He said her blessings and support were instrumental in getting him through his post-surgery rehabilitation.
