India's Greco-Roman wrestler Sunil Kumar has won the bronze medal in the Asian Games 2026. On Wednesday (September 30), Sunil defeated Callum Johnston Roberts of Philippines on the basis of technical superiority in the bronze medal match of 87 kg category. This was India's first medal in wrestling in this Asiad. Sunil had also won bronze in the last Asian Games held in Hangzhou. In this way, he became the first Greco-Roman wrestler from India to win medals in two Asiads.
Sunil won the match from this special position
Sunil tied the right hand of Callum Johnston Roberts and knocked him down to take a 4-0 lead. Sunil won the match in the first period by making a scoring move by pinning Johnston, who was playing defence, to the ground from a 'par terre' position. Sunil ended India's 13-year wait for a medal in Greco-Roman style by winning the bronze medal in Hangzhou.
In the sport of wrestling, 'Par Terre' is a position where one wrestler lies defensively on the ground or sits on his knees and hands and the other wrestler is on top of him in an offensive position.
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Sunil is not satisfied with bronze
27-year-old Sunil from Haryana had lost to Taizo Yoshida of Japan in the semi-finals on the basis of technical superiority. After winning the bronze, Sunil said, 'I am happy but not satisfied. I have won a bronze medal in the Asian Games earlier also. I suffered the consequences of the mistake against the Japanese opponent. Used more stamina rather than technique.
Nisha Dahiya could not even win bronze
India's star wrestler Nisha Dahiya could not even win bronze in the Asian Games. In the pre-quarterfinals of the women's 68 kg category, Nisha had to face defeat at the hands of Sol Gum Pak of North Korea. Nisha also lost to Sol Gum Pak in the quarter-finals of the Paris Olympics. Nisha had taken a 2-0 lead in the match but the North Korean wrestler scored four points and took a 4-2 lead by the end of the first period.
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In the second period, Nisha scored two points to level the score at 4-4. After this no wrestler could score points and on the basis of big stakes Sol Gum Pak was declared the winner. Sol Gum Pak made it to the finals and opened the way for repechage for Nisha but the Indian wrestler could not take advantage of this opportunity and lost by 'fall' against Park Hyeonyong of South Korea.