Asian Games 2023, Wrestling Preview, Schedule And Live Streaming: Star-studded Indian Contingent Eyes Big Medal Haul

The 2023 Asian Games present a new challenge for Indian wrestlers. The grapplers just weathered one of the sport's most severe storms in the shape of nationwide protests. Besides the protracted fight against the former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, they also faced an uncertain future following the suspension of WFI by the United World Wrestling (UWW), the world governing body for wrestling, for not conducting its elections within the stipulated time. (Full Coverage | Medal Tally | Schedule)

Unlike what happened at the World Championships in Serbia earlier this month where they competed as neutral athletes, Indian wrestlers will get to represent their country at the 2023 Asian Games since it was the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) that sent the entries and not the WFI. Indian wrestlers have traditionally done well in big events, and this time too, despite the recent issues, they are expected to bring a rich haul of medals from Hangzhou. The 19th Asian Games also give Indian wrestlers a chance to qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.

Antim Panghal, Aman Sehrawat, Bajrang Punia, and Deepak Punia -- all World Championship medalists -- are India's best bets in the freestyle categories. If India can medal in the Greco-Roman event, it will be one of the biggest surprises. As usual, Indian wrestlers will face stiff challenges from grapplers from Iran, Japan, South Korea, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, China, etc.

At the Asian Games, Indian wrestlers have so far earned 11 gold, 14 silver, and 34 bronze for a total of 59 medals. In the all-time table headed by Iran, India ranks seventh. India earned two gold medals and one bronze medal in the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta, with Bajrang Punia and Vinesh Phogat biting into the yellow metal.

Indian Squad for Wrestling in Asian Games 2023

Women’s Freestyle
Pooja Gehlot - Women’s 50kg
Antim Panghal - Women’s 53kg
Mansi Ahlawat - Women’s 57kg
Sonam Malik - Women’s 62kg
Radhika - Women’s 68kg
Kiran - Women’s 76kg

Men’s Greco-Roman
Gyanender - Greco-Roman 60kg
Neeraj - Greco-Roman 67kg
Vikas - Greco-Roman 77kg
Sunil Kumar - Greco-Roman 87kg
Narinder Cheema - Greco-Roman 97kg
Naveen - Greco-Roman 130kg

Men’s Freestyle
Aman Sehrawat - Men's 57kg
Bajrang Punia - Men's 65kg (Vishal Kaliraman as standby)
Yash - Men's 74kg
Deepak Punia - Men's 86kg
Vicky - Men's 97kg
Sumit - Men's 125kg

Indian wrestling schedule at the Asian Games 2023

Date

Competition

Round

Venue

Time

October 4, Wednesday

Men's Greco-Roman: 60kg, 67kg, 77kg, 87kg

Qualification, repechages