Nitesh's silver keeps India waiting for a Greco-Roman champion at Asian Games

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

Nitesh had powered into the final earlier in the day with two dominant victories, putting himself in position to create history. But Nakazato proved too difficult to break down, controlling the contest with his defence and taking his chances when they came.

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

Nitesh started the final looking to establish a two-on-one grip, but Nakazato immediately worked to prevent the Indian from getting into a position to attack.

The Japanese wrestler opened the scoring by pushing Nitesh out. Nitesh was subsequently put into the ground position for passivity, giving Nakazato another chance to add to his lead.

The Indian defended well and prevented Nakazato from getting the grip required for a gut wrench. However, Nitesh could not 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 wrestling final at Asian Games 2026. (Image: AP)

Nakazato disbalanced Nitesh with a push and converted the opening into a takedown, taking his lead to 4-0. With the clock running down, Nitesh had to attack, but Nakazato's defence remained firm.

Nitesh could not find a way through as Nakazato saw out the bout to claim 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 struggled 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 particularly meaningful because of his father's role in his journey.

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

Nitesh also spoke about the pressure attached to competing in a weight category that had never previously produced an Indian Asian Games medal.

“No one from my weight category had ever won a medal here before, so there was a lot of pressure, but I trusted my training and gave everything I had.”

He also acknowledged the support he received during his preparation before adding: “Maine apne desh ka Tiranga lehra diya. (I have proudly raised my country’s Tricolour.)”DOMINANT ROUTE TO THE FINAL

Nitesh had made full use of the draw, entering directly into the quarterfinals and defeating Turkmenistan's Amanberdi Agamammedov 7-1.

He was even more dominant in the semifinal against Mongolia's Gankhuyang Ganbaatar.NITESH enters Greco final at Asian Games, first in 64 years for India pic.twitter.com/79s4RkWhCe— United World Wrestling (@wrestling) October 1, 2026

The Asian Championship silver medallist won 9-0 by technical superiority, finishing the bout inside the opening three-minute period. Nitesh produced two four-point throws from the ground position to take complete control.

That victory guaranteed India its best-ever finish in the 97kg category and put Nitesh one win away from a historic gold.

He ultimately had to settle for silver against home favourite Nakazato.MANSI’S BRONZE BID FALLS SHORT

Mansi Ahlawat also remained in medal contention during the day, reaching the bronze-medal bout in the women's 62kg category.

She began her campaign with a 6-1 victory over Kazakhstan's Irina Kuznetsova, capitalising on her opponent's passivity and then making the most of small errors.

Mansi followed that with a win over South Korea's Jo Su-been in the quarterfinals, moving into the last four.

Her semifinal against Japan's Asian champion Nonoka Ozaki proved 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 could not convert it into points, while Ozaki's defence kept the Indian from mounting a comeback. Mansi was beaten in the Women's 62kg freestyle bronze medal bout. (Image: Reuters)

Ozaki won 6-0, sending Mansi into the bronze-medal bout.

Mansi then faced Mongolia's Altjin Togtokh. The Mongolian took two early points, while Mansi's attempts at a double-leg takedown were defended effectively.

Mansi fought back in the second period, picking up a point after Togtokh was penalised for passivity and adding another soon after. But Togtokh responded with a takedown to restore her advantage.

India challenged the call, but the challenge was unsuccessful. Mansi continued to attack but could not overturn the deficit and finished outside the medals.AMAN’S COMEBACK ENDS IN QUARTERS

Aman Baroniya's campaign in the men's 77kg category ended in the quarterfinals, although he had produced one of the day's more entertaining comebacks in the previous round.

Aman defeated Mongolia's Borgil Tuvshinbaatar 8-6 after initially falling behind.

He opened his account when Tuvshinbaatar was penalised for passivity, but conceded two points from the par terre position while attempting a roll. A four-point move from the Mongolian then made it 6-2.

Aman responded with a takedown, followed by a spectacular jumping move that produced another takedown. He completed the comeback with a roll to win 8-6.

His quarterfinal against Qatar's Shahin Badaghimofrad was a different contest. Shahin pushed Aman out twice to take a 2-0 lead before forcing him into the ground position and taking control.

The Qatari eventually won by technical superiority. Shahin's failure to reach the final subsequently closed the repechage route for Aman.SUMIT ALSO EXITS

Sumit bowed out in the 60kg quarterfinals after losing 1-1 on criteria to Iran's Sajjad Abbaspourragani.

The Indian's medal hopes initially depended on the Iranian reaching the final and opening a repechage route. Abbaspourragani subsequently lost his semifinal, ending Sumit's chances.

For India, the day ultimately belonged to Nitesh. His run to the final and silver medal represented a major step forward for the country's Greco-Roman programme.

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