New Delhi — India’s wrestling fraternity received a powerful vote of confidence from veteran grappler Geeta Phogat, who has backed the current contingent to secure more medals at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, following a commendable performance at the 2026 Asian Wrestling Championships in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.
Phogat, India’s trailblazer in women’s wrestling and the first Indian female wrestler to qualify for the Olympics, said the consistent progress of Indian athletes indicates the country is on track to improve its Olympic medal tally in wrestling.
At the recently concluded continental meet, India finished with a total of 17 medals — 2 gold, 6 silver, and 9 bronze — showcasing depth across weight categories.
The gold medals were clinched by:
Sujeet Kalkal in the men’s freestyle 65 kg category, and
Abhimanyou Mandwal in the men’s freestyle 70 kg division.
Notable silver medal performances came from Aman Sehrawat (men’s 61 kg), Mukul Dahiya (men’s 86 kg), and Meenakshi Goyat (women’s 53 kg), adding to the nation’s podium tally.
Highlighting the team’s accomplishments, Phogat praised the wrestlers’ mettle and credited grassroots and national fitness initiatives such as the Fit India Movement and Khelo India for helping raise awareness and participation in sports, particularly among women.
Phogat’s own storied career — including a historic 2010 Commonwealth Games gold and a World Championships bronze — laid the foundation for India’s rise in women’s wrestling, inspiring a new generation of medal hopefuls.
Her endorsement comes at a crucial phase as Indian wrestlers look to convert continental success into global glory at the Olympics, a stage where India has historically won eight wrestling medals, with stars like Sushil Kumar and Sakshi Malik contributing to the country’s Olympic legacy.
With the LA 2028 Games approaching, India’s wrestling contingent appears poised to build on its rich heritage and recent achievements, aiming for a larger haul that reflects the nation’s growing stature in international wrestling.
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