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.
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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.
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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 | Lin'an Sports Culture & Exhibition Centre | 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM |
| October 4, Wednesday | Men's Greco-Roman: 60kg, 67kg, 77kg, 87kg | Bronze medal matches, gold medal matches | Lin'an Sports Culture & Exhibition Centre | 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM |
| October 5, Thursday | Men's Greco-Roman: 97kg, 130kg Women's freestyle: 50kg, 53kg, 57kg | Qualification, repechages | Lin'an Sports Culture & Exhibition Centre | 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM |
| October 5, Thursday | Men's Greco-Roman: 97kg, 130kg Women's freestyle: 50kg, 53kg, 57kg | Bronze medal matches, gold medal matches | Lin'an Sports Culture & Exhibition Centre | 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM |
| October 6, Friday | Women's freestyle: 62kg, 68kg, 76kg Men's Freestyle: 57kg, 65kg Advertisement | Qualification, repechages | Lin'an Sports Culture & Exhibition Centre | 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM |
| October 6, Friday | Women's freestyle: 62kg, 68kg, 76kg Men's freestyle: 57kg, 65kg | Bronze medal matches, gold medal matches | Lin'an Sports Culture & Exhibition Centre | 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM |
| October 7, Saturday | Men's freestyle: 74kg, 86kg, 97kg, 125kg | Qualification, repechages | Lin'an Sports Culture & Exhibition Centre | 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM |
| October 7, Saturday | Men's freestyle: 74kg, 86kg, 97kg, 125kg | Bronze medal matches, gold medal matches | Lin'an Sports Culture & Exhibition Centre | 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM |
Asian Games 2023 wrestling live telecast and streaming details:
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Sony Sports Network has the broadcast rights for 2023 the Asian Games. The Games are being shown on the Sony Sports Ten 1, Sony Sports Ten 1 HD, Sony Sports Ten 2, Sony Sports Ten 2 HD, Sony Sports Ten 3, Sony Sports Ten 3 HD, Sony Sports Ten 4, Sony Sports Ten 4 HD, Sony Sports Ten 5, and Sony Sports Ten 5 HD TV.
The live streaming of the 2023 Asian Games is available on the SonyLIV app and website in India.
