Indian wrestler Nitesh Siwach has emerged as one of the notable names at the 2026 Asian Games after reaching the men’s Greco Roman 97kg final in Nagoya, Japan. The 23 year old Haryana wrestler defeated Mongolia’s Gankhuyag Ganbaatar 9 0 in the semifinal on October 1, securing a place in the gold medal bout.
Nitesh’s achievement carries historical significance for Indian wrestling. He became the first Indian Greco Roman wrestler to reach an Asian Games final since 1962. India’s previous Greco Roman finalist at the Asian Games was Ganpat Andalkar, who won gold in the plus 97kg category at the 1962 Jakarta Games. Since then, no Indian Greco Roman wrestler had reached the final of the Asian Games until Nitesh’s breakthrough in 2026.
Nitesh secured his place in the final with a commanding performance against Ganbaatar. The Indian wrestler won 9 0 by technical superiority and did not allow his Mongolian opponent to score a point. The result guaranteed India a medal in the event and moved Nitesh closer to a potential gold medal.
Before the semifinal, Nitesh had defeated Turkmenistan’s Amanberdi Agamammedov 7 1 in the quarterfinal. He entered the Asian Games tournament with international experience and had already won a silver medal at the 2026 Asian Wrestling Championships in the 97kg category.
Who Is Nitesh Siwach
Nitesh Siwach is a 23 year old Greco Roman wrestler from Jagsi village in Haryana’s Sonipat district. His journey in wrestling has included an interruption that forced him away from the sport before he returned and rebuilt his career.
According to an interview with NDTV, Nitesh initially started wrestling in 2012 after going to Pratap School to play kabaddi. His father had always wanted him to become a wrestler, and Nitesh eventually took up the sport. He trained for around two years before a knee operation forced him to step away from wrestling.
After the injury, Nitesh remained away from wrestling for nearly two years. During that period, he helped his father with milk delivery work. His father was working as a milkman, and Nitesh began considering whether he could return to wrestling and continue pursuing the sport.
He eventually asked his family to give him six months to try wrestling again. His parents agreed, and Nitesh returned to training. During that period, he won a medal at the School Nationals, giving him an important boost and encouraging him to continue his wrestling career.
His return gradually developed into a senior level wrestling career. Nitesh won a bronze medal at the Asian Wrestling Championships in 2025 and followed it with a silver medal at the 2026 edition. His performances helped him earn an opportunity to compete at the Asian Games for the first time.
Preparation for the Asian Games also included a training camp in Uzbekistan. Nitesh said the camp provided valuable exposure and helped him work specifically on his ground wrestling. He entered the Asian Games with the objective of producing a strong performance despite the pressure surrounding his weight category.
Nitesh’s Road to the Asian Games Final
Nitesh began his 2026 Asian Games campaign in the men’s Greco Roman 97kg category. He entered the quarterfinal stage and faced Turkmenistan’s Amanberdi Agamammedov. Nitesh produced a controlled performance and won the bout 7 1.
That victory took him into the semifinal, where he faced Mongolia’s Gankhuyag Ganbaatar. Ganbaatar had previously won a bronze medal at the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games, making the semifinal an important test for the Indian wrestler.
Nitesh dominated the contest and secured a 9 0 victory by technical superiority. Reports stated that he produced two four point throws from the ground position during the bout, allowing him to build an advantage quickly and finish the contest without conceding a point.
The victory made Nitesh the first Indian Greco Roman wrestler to reach an Asian Games final since 1962. It also guaranteed India a medal in the event.
The Historic 64 Year Wait
Greco Roman wrestling was introduced at the Asian Games in 1962 in Jakarta. India’s previous Greco Roman gold medal at the Asian Games also came in 1962, when Ganpat Andalkar won the plus 97kg category. Since then, Indian wrestlers had not returned to the top of the podium in Greco Roman wrestling at the Asian Games.
Nitesh’s final appearance therefore represents an important moment for Indian Greco Roman wrestling. His medal is already assured, but the gold medal will depend on the result of the final.
Nitesh’s Asian Games final opponent is Japan’s Yuri Nakazato, according to the latest reports. The gold medal bout is scheduled to take place later on October 1.
Why Nitesh’s Journey Is Significant
Nitesh’s progress is notable not only because of the 64 year gap between Indian Greco Roman finalists but also because of his personal journey. He stepped away from wrestling after undergoing knee surgery and later returned to the sport after asking his family for another opportunity.
His progression from a school level comeback to winning medals at the Asian Championships and eventually reaching an Asian Games final has made his story one of the talking points of India’s wrestling campaign in Nagoya.
Earlier in 2026, Nitesh won silver at the Asian Wrestling Championships. That result followed his bronze medal at the 2025 edition and demonstrated his progression at the senior international level.
The Asian Games final now gives him an opportunity to add another major achievement to his record. A victory would give India its first Asian Games gold medal in Greco Roman wrestling since the discipline was introduced at the continental event.
For now, Nitesh has already secured a place in the history books by becoming the first Indian Greco Roman wrestler in 64 years to reach an Asian Games final. His 9 0 semifinal victory over Ganbaatar has guaranteed a medal, while the final against Japan’s Yuri Nakazato will determine whether that medal is silver or gold.
Nitesh’s story also highlights the importance of persistence in competitive sport. After an injury and a long break from wrestling, he returned to the mat and gradually progressed through domestic and international competition. His performance at the 2026 Asian Games has now taken him to the biggest stage of his career so far.
