Nitesh’s silver leaves India waiting for the Greco-Roman champion at the Asian Games

Nitesh Siwach came within one win of ending India’s long wait for Asian Games gold in Greco-Roman wrestling but settled for silver after losing 0-4 to Japan’s Yuri Nakazato in the men’s 97kg final on Thursday.

Nitesh reached the final earlier in the day with two dominant victories, putting him in a position to make history. However, Nakazato proved too tough to break up, controlling the match with his defense and taking his chances when they came.

Still, the silver marked a significant achievement for Nitesh and Indian Greco-Roman wrestling. The last Greco-Roman gold medal at the Asian Games came in 1962 when Malwa Singh won the 52kg title and Ganpat Andalkar won gold in the +97kg category.

Asian Games, October 1: Update | Medal total

NAKAZATO ATTACKS NITESH

Nitesh went for the final and tried to establish a two-on-one grip, but Nakazato immediately tried to prevent the Indian from getting into a position to attack.

The Japanese wrestler opened the scoring by pinning Nitesh. Nitesh was subsequently put in ground position due to passivity, giving Nakazato another chance to increase his lead.

The Indian defended well and prevented Nakazato from getting the grip needed for the wrench. However, Nitesh was unable to create a scoring opportunity of his own and Nakazato went into the break with a 2-0 lead.

The Japanese wrestler continued to frustrate Nitesh after the restart. Nitesh Siwach in action at the Greco-Roman final at the 2026 Asian Games. (Image: AP)

Nakazato caught Nitesh off balance and turned the opening into a takedown to take a 4-0 lead. With the clock running, Nitesh had to attack but Nakazat’s defense remained firm.

Nitesh could not find a way when Nakazato saw the match for gold.

The result extended India’s wait for a Greco-Roman Asian Games champion, but Nitesh’s silver gave the country a significant result in a discipline in which it has historically been in contention for medals. India had won only four bronze medals in Greco-Roman wrestling at the Asian Games before Nitesh’s campaign.

‘I DID IT FOR HIM’

Nitesh said the medal was especially meaningful because of his father’s role in his journey.

“Honestly, I still can’t believe it, I won a silver medal at the Asian Games. My father always told me that when I started this journey, there was no looking back, that I had to bring home a medal, and today I did it for him.”

Nitesh also spoke about the pressure of competing in a weight category that has never before produced an Asian Games medal for India.

“No one in my weight class had ever won a medal here before so there was a lot of pressure, but I trusted my training and gave it my all.

He also thanked the support he received during his preparation before adding, “Maine apne desh ka Tiranga lehra diya. (I proudly raised the tricolor of my country.)”

DOMINANT ROAD TO THE FINALS

Nitesh took full advantage of the draw, going straight into the quarter-finals, defeating Turkmenistan’s Amanberdi Agamammedov 7-1.

He was even more dominant in the semi-final against Mongolia’s Gankhuyang Ganbaatar.

The Asian Championship silver medalist won 9-0 by technical dominance and finished the match in the opening three minutes. Nitesh made two four-point throws from the ground to take complete control.

The win guaranteed India its best ever finish in the 97kg category and Nitesh was one win away from an all-time gold.

In the end, he had to settle for silver against home favorite Nakazato.

BRONZE OFFER MANSI SHORT

During the day, Mansi Ahlawat also remained in the fight for medals, who got into the fight for bronze in the women’s category under 62 kg.

She started her campaign with a 6:1 victory over Kazakhstan’s Irina Kuznetsova, took advantage of her opponent’s passivity and then made the most of small mistakes.

Mansi followed that up with a win over Jo Su-been of South Korea in the quarterfinals to advance to the last four.

Her semi-final against Japan’s Asian champion Nonoka Ozaki was a much tougher test.

Ozaki took a 2-0 lead with a right leg attack before adding another takedown after attacking Mansi’s left leg. Mansi tried to initiate a headlock but couldn’t convert it into points, while Ozaki’s defense prevented the Indian from making a comeback. Mansiová was defeated in the women’s 62 kg freestyle bronze medal match. (Image: Reuters)

Ozaki won 6-0 to send Mansi to the bronze medal match.

Mansi then faced Altjin Togtokh of Mongolia. The Mongol scored the first two points while Mansi’s takedown attempts from both legs were effectively defended.

Mansi fought back in the second period, getting a point after Togtokh was penalized for passivity and adding another soon after. But Togtokh responded by stopping the game to restore their advantage.

India contested the challenge but the challenge was unsuccessful. Mansi continued to attack but could not overcome the deficit and finished out of the medals.

AMAN’S COMEBACK ENDS IN A QUARTER

Aman Baroniya’s campaign in the men’s 77kg category ended in the quarter-finals, although he produced one of the most entertaining comebacks of the day in the previous round.

Aman beat Mongolia’s Borgil Tuvshinbaatar 8-6 after initially trailing.

He opened his account when Tuvshinbaatar was penalized for passivity, but scored two points from par terre when he attempted a roll. A four-point move from the Mongol made it 6:2.

Aman responded with a takedown, followed by a spectacular leaping move that prompted another takedown. He finished the comeback with a throw to win 8-6.

His quarter-final against Qatar’s Shahin Badaghimofrad was a different match. Shahin pushed Aman twice to take a 2-0 lead before forcing him into ground position and taking control.

In the end, Qatar won by technical advantage. Shahin’s failure in the final subsequently closed Aman’s way to a rematch.

SUMIT WILL ALSO COME OUT

Sumit bowed out in the 60kg quarter-finals after losing 1-1 on criteria to Iran’s Sajjad Abbaspourragani.

The Indian’s medal hopes initially hinged on the Iranian reaching the final and paving the way for a repechage. Abbaspourragani subsequently lost his semi-final, ending Sumit’s chances.

For India, the day ultimately belonged to Nitesh. His advance to the finals and silver medal represented a big step forward for the country’s Greco-Roman program.

However, gold remains elusive. More than six decades after Malwa Singh and Ganpat Andalkar won in Jakarta, India will once again have to wait for its next Greco-Roman Asian Games champion.

– The end