Aman Sehrawat, Sujeet Kalkal and Deepak Punia Lead India’s Wrestling Squad for Asian Games 2026

India's men's wrestling team for the 2026 Asian Games has officially taken shape following the conclusion of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) selection trials in Lucknow, where several of the country's biggest stars booked their tickets to Aichi-Nagoya.

Olympic bronze medallist Aman Sehrawat, World No. 1 Sujeet Kalkal and former Asian Games silver medallist Deepak Punia emerged among the headline names as the trials concluded at the Sports Authority of India (SAI) Centre on Sunday.

With 169 wrestlers competing across freestyle and Greco-Roman categories, the trials provided an intense battle for national team spots, highlighting both the depth and competitiveness of Indian wrestling ahead of one of the most important events on the continental calendar.

One of the most anticipated appearances of the trials came from Paris Olympic bronze medallist Aman Sehrawat. The young star entered the competition as the overwhelming favourite in the men's 57kg category and justified that status with a commanding display. Facing Rahul in the final, Aman showcased his superior technical ability and attacking aggression, cruising to an emphatic 11-1 victory.

The result confirmed his place in the Indian squad and reinforced his status as one of India's strongest medal hopes for the Asian Games. Since his breakthrough performances on the international stage, Aman has consistently demonstrated his ability to deliver under pressure. His dominance at the trials suggests he will head into the continental showpiece full of confidence.

Another major attraction at the trials was the presence of World No. 1 Sujeet Kalkal in the 65kg category. Known for his disciplined wrestling and tactical maturity, Sujeet produced a composed performance in the final to defeat Vishal Kaliramana 2-0. While the scoreline may appear narrow, Sujeet remained in control throughout the contest and never looked in danger of surrendering the bout.

The victory secured his berth for the Asian Games and keeps alive hopes of a major international medal. As the top-ranked wrestler in the world in his category, Sujeet will enter the Games carrying significant expectations and will likely be among India's strongest title contenders.

One of the most interesting storylines from the trials involved Deepak Punia. Traditionally associated with the 86kg category, the experienced wrestler competed in the 97kg division and once again demonstrated his class. The Asian Games silver medallist completely dominated Jointy Kumar in the final, recording an 8-0 victory to seal his place in the squad.

The performance continued Deepak's strong run of form and highlighted his ability to adapt successfully to a higher weight category. Having already proven himself on the international stage over several years, Deepak brings invaluable experience to the Indian contingent. His selection adds another proven performer to a squad that blends youth and experience.

The freestyle trials produced several other noteworthy winners. In the highly competitive 74kg division, Sagar Jaglan edged Jaideep 8-6 in one of the closest finals of the day. The bout showcased the depth currently present in Indian wrestling and underlined the fierce competition for international opportunities.

Mukul Dahiya secured the 86kg spot after overcoming Amit 4-2 in another tightly contested final. Meanwhile, Rajat Rahal earned selection in the heavyweight 125kg category with a 10-6 victory over Dinesh, capping a strong campaign. The results reflect the growing competition within Indian freestyle wrestling, where multiple wrestlers are capable of challenging at the highest level.

Sunil Kumar Headlines Greco-Roman Squad

While freestyle wrestling often receives the majority of attention, India's Greco-Roman contingent has been steadily improving in recent years. Leading that charge is Sunil Kumar. The multiple-time Asian Championships medallist and 2023 Asian Games bronze medallist once again demonstrated his consistency by winning the 87kg category.

Sunil defeated Rohit Bura 3-1 in the final to secure his place in the squad and will head to the Asian Games as the leader of India's Greco-Roman team. His recent performances have helped elevate India's standing in the discipline, and expectations will once again be high.

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Several other wrestlers impressed in the Greco-Roman trials. Sumit claimed the 60kg berth with a convincing 9-5 victory over Chetan, while Deepak secured the 67kg category after pinning Neeraj following a high-scoring contest. The 77kg final produced one of the closest results of the day as Aman edged Vijay 6-5 to earn selection.

Nitesh Kumar dominated the 97kg category, recording an emphatic 8-0 victory over Abhimanu, while Deepanshu secured the heavyweight 130kg spot with a controlled 5-1 win against Ronak. Together, the results highlighted the progress Indian Greco-Roman wrestling has made over recent seasons.

With the trials now complete, attention turns toward preparation. The selected wrestlers will immediately enter national training camps designed to fine-tune their techniques, improve conditioning and prepare for the challenges awaiting them at the Asian Games. India already boasts an impressive wrestling legacy at the continental level, having won 65 medals in Asian Games history.

The aim now is not only to add to that tally but potentially surpass the country's best-ever wrestling performance at a single edition of the Games. Led by stars such as Aman Sehrawat, Sujeet Kalkal, Deepak Punia and Sunil Kumar, India will travel to Aichi-Nagoya with a squad capable of challenging for medals across multiple categories.

The trials in Lucknow confirmed one thing clearly: Indian wrestling continues to possess remarkable depth, and the country's ambitions at the 2026 Asian Games remain as strong as ever.