Sunil Kumar and Nitesh Kumar Lead India's Greco-Roman Challenge at Budapest Ranking Series
India will field a 14-member Greco-Roman wrestling contingent at the Budapest Wrestling Ranking Series, the final United World Wrestling (UWW) Ranking Series event of the 2026 season, with former Asian champion Sunil Kumar and Asian silver medallist Nitesh Kumar spearheading the country's campaign.
Scheduled from July 15 to 19 in Budapest, Hungary, the tournament is expected to feature some of the strongest Greco-Roman wrestlers in the world, with powerhouse nations such as Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Türkiye and Russia sending full-strength squads.
For India, the competition serves as an important opportunity to assess its wrestlers against elite international opposition ahead of the World Championships and the 2026 Asian Games.
The biggest Indian hope in Budapest will once again be Sunil Kumar, who enters the competition in excellent form after winning gold at the Ulaanbaatar Open earlier this month. The former Asian champion has been one of India's most consistent Greco-Roman wrestlers over the past few years and continues to lead the country's challenge in the upper weight categories.
Competing in the 87kg division, Sunil will face one of the toughest fields of the tournament. Former world champion Ali Cengiz of Türkiye returns to international competition after a lengthy absence and is expected to be one of the biggest attractions in the category. Also in contention are reigning Asian champion Asan Zhanyshov (Kyrgyzstan), Georgia's Achiko Bolkvadze and Hungary's experienced trio of Tamas Levai, Erik Szilvassy and Istvan Takacs.
With so many accomplished wrestlers in the draw, every bout promises to be a stern examination. However, Sunil's recent performances suggest he has the confidence and momentum to challenge for another podium finish.
Another wrestler carrying Indian hopes will be Nitesh Kumar in the 97kg category. Fresh from winning gold in Ulaanbaatar and having already secured an Asian silver medal earlier this year, Nitesh has emerged as one of India's brightest Greco-Roman prospects. His challenge in Budapest, however, will be formidable.
The 97kg field includes Tokyo Olympic champion and two-time world champion Musa Evloev, who returns to international wrestling after nearly five years away from the sport. Although Evloev suffered defeat in his comeback event earlier this year, the Russian remains one of the biggest names in Greco-Roman wrestling. The weight category also features Olympic bronze medallist Uzur Dzhuzupbekov (Kyrgyzstan), world bronze medallist Arif Niftullayev (Azerbaijan), European medallist Alex Szoke (Hungary) and rising stars from Germany and Kazakhstan.
For Nitesh, the tournament offers an opportunity to test himself against some of the world's very best ahead of major championships later this season.
Strong Indian Squad Across Weight Categories
India has entered wrestlers across multiple weight divisions, reflecting the country's continued investment in Greco-Roman wrestling.
The squad comprises:
55kg: Lalit
60kg: Chetan, Sumit
63kg: Sunny Kumar
67kg: Deepak, Sachin Sahrawat
72kg: Anil
77kg: Aman, Ankit Gulia
82kg: Prince
87kg: Sunil Kumar, Rohit Bura
97kg: Nitesh Kumar
130kg: Deepanshu
Several of these wrestlers will be looking to improve their international rankings while gaining valuable experience against world-class opponents.
The tournament also provides India's coaching staff with an opportunity to evaluate combinations and form ahead of upcoming global events.
The Budapest Ranking Series has attracted an exceptionally strong field, with many nations using the tournament to finalise their squads for the World Championships and Asian Games. Uzbekistan has entered multiple wrestlers in almost every weight category, led by reigning world champion Aytjan Khalmakhanov. Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan and Türkiye have also sent several of their leading wrestlers, ensuring every weight class features Olympic, world and continental medallists.
Among the biggest storylines is the return of Olympic champion Musa Evloev after a five-year absence, while former world champion Ali Cengiz will also be making his comeback after missing much of the last two seasons.
Their presence further increases the quality of competition Indian wrestlers will face.
As the final Ranking Series event of the year, Budapest carries added significance. Apart from valuable ranking points, the tournament allows wrestlers to gauge their form against elite competition before the season's biggest events. For India, it also serves as another important step in preparations for the Asian Games, where Greco-Roman wrestling is expected to be one of the country's key medal opportunities.
Both Sunil Kumar and Nitesh Kumar have already been named in India's Asian Games squad, making their performances in Budapest particularly important as they look to build momentum.
Indian Greco-Roman wrestling has shown encouraging signs in recent months. Sunil Kumar's gold medal in Ulaanbaatar reaffirmed his status as one of Asia's leading wrestlers, while Nitesh Kumar has enjoyed a breakthrough season with consistent performances at the continental level. The Budapest Ranking Series now offers both wrestlers another opportunity to prove themselves against world-class opposition.
Success in Hungary will not only improve their international rankings but also strengthen India's confidence heading into the World Championships and Asian Games.
With a balanced squad featuring experienced campaigners and emerging talent, India will hope to return from Budapest with strong performances that underline the steady progress being made in Greco-Roman wrestling.
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