Tough Asian Games Draws
India Wrestling Squad Faces Tough Draws Ahead of Asian Games in Nagoya
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Key Points
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Sujeet Kalkal arrives after a breakthrough 2026 season in which he won the Asian Championships and gold medals at the Zagreb Open and Muhamet Malo Ranking Series.
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Antim Panghal has beaten China’s Zhang Jin in both of their previous meetings, though both bouts were closely contested.
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Deepak Punia has a favorable opening draw against China’s Zhou Junpeng in the 97kg category and avoids top contenders Arash Yoshida and Amirali Azarpira until a possible final.
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At the previous Games, Deepak Punia was India’s only wrestler to reach a final, earning silver; veteran Greco-Roman wrestler Sunil Kumar also returns as a Hangzhou bronze medallist.
India's 15-wrestler squad faces a bruising draw at the 2026 Asian Games in Nagoya, with top contenders stumbling into tough matchups that could derail medal hopes Times of India. The team aims to surpass its six-medal haul from the previous Games, but Olympic bronze medalist Aman Sehrawat, world medalist Antim Panghal, and breakout star Sujeet Kalkal all confront potential semifinal clashes with elite opponents starting September 30.
Sujeet's Steep Road to Gold in Men's 65kg
Sujeet Kalkal arrives in Nagoya riding a breakthrough 2026 season. He won the Asian Championships plus gold at the Zagreb Open and the Muhamet Malo Ranking Series Times of India. Yet his draw presents a nightmare scenario: a potential semifinal clash with Japan's Olympic champion Kotaro Kiyooka, the home favorite competing in front of his own crowd.
Antim Holds Edge Over China's Zhang Jin
Antim Panghal could face China's Zhang Jin in her weight category, but history favors the Indian wrestler Times of India. Antim has beaten Zhang in both of their previous meetings, though each bout was tightly contested. Still, a rematch on wrestling's biggest Asian stage carries high stakes and offers no guaranteed outcome.
Deepak's Golden Opening Against Zhou Junpeng
Deepak Punia drew the easiest path among India's medal contenders in the 97kg category Times of India. He opens against China's Zhou Junpeng and avoids top threats like Arash Yoshida and Amirali Azarpira until a potential final. At the previous Games, Deepak was India's only wrestler to reach a final, earning silver.
Punishing Draws for Sagar, Dipanshi, and Sunil
Other Indian wrestlers drew brutal first-round and early-stage matchups Times of India. Sagar Jaglan must battle reigning Asian champion Tumur Ochir Tulga, while Dipanshi faces Japan's Yui Susaki, an elite opponent who will have crowd support. Veteran Greco-Roman wrestler Sunil Kumar, a bronze medalist from Hangzhou, also returns but confronts top-ranked competitors. All qualification rounds, semifinals, and medal bouts occur on a single day, compressing the schedule and leaving no room for recovery.
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