Asian Games: Sunil Kumar brings historic bronze at Greco-Roman wrestling, becomes first-ever Indian to taste this glory

Sports Tak

Sports Tak

UPDATED:

google-icon
Asian Games 2026: Sunil Kumar (L) brings historic bronze at Greco-Roman wrestling. (X)
Asian Games 2026: Sunil Kumar (L) brings historic bronze at Greco-Roman wrestling. (X)

Story Highlights:

India's Sunil Kumar bagged bronze medal in the men's Greco-Roman wrestling 87kg category

Sunil got the better of Philippines' Roberts Callum Johnston to win historic bronze

India shone bright at the the opening day of the Greco-Roman wrestling in the ongoing Asian Games 2026 as 27-year-old Sunil Kumar earned a historic bronze medal in the men's 87kg category. By outclassing his opponent, Roberts Callum Johnston of the Philippines, via technical superiority, the Haryana wrestler became the first Indian wrestler to bag two Asian Games medals in the Greco-Roman discipline.

Sunil Kumar seals historic bronze in Greco-Roman wrestling

Sunil was dominant from the outset, taking early control of the bout by trapping Johnston's right arm and executing two swift takedowns to race to a 4-0 advantage. He continued his relentless pressure when his opponent was placed in the 'Par Terre' position for defensive play, scoring the remaining necessary points to wrap up a decisive victory within the very first period.

ALSO READ: Hat-trick of gold medals for archers! India beat China by 1 point in dramatic final

Sunil becomes first Indian Greco-Roman wrestler to win two Asiad medals

This victory adds another chapter to Sunil's groundbreaking career, following his bronze performance at the 2023 Hangzhou Games—a result that snapped a 13-year Asian Games medal drought in Greco-Roman wrestling for India, whose last honorees were Ravinder Singh and Sunil Kumar Rana back in Guangzhou 2010. Although his quest for gold was halted in the semifinals by Japan's Taizo Yoshida, Sunil rebounded strongly after starting his campaign earlier in the day with a commanding victory over Tajikistan's Muhammad Sultonzoda.

ALSO READ: India women's archery team equal world record to beat China and win gold, take tally to 7

Indians to win medals at Greco-Roman wrestling Asian Games:

Year Host City Wrestler Medal Event / Weight Category
1962 Jakarta Ganpat Andalkar Gold Men’s +97 kg
1962 Jakarta Maruti Mane Silver Men’s 97 kg
1962 Jakarta Sajjan Singh Silver Men’s 87 kg
1962 Jakarta Udey Chand Bronze Men’s 70 kg
1962 Jakarta Narsingh Patel Bronze Men’s 63 kg
1974 Tehran Sukhchain Singh Cheema Bronze Men’s 100 kg
2010 Guangzhou Ravinder Singh Bronze Men’s 66 kg
2010 Guangzhou Sunil Kumar Rana Bronze Men’s 96 kg
2023 Hangzhou Sunil Kumar Bronze Men’s 87 kg
2026 Aichi-Nagoya Sunil Kumar Bronze Men’s 87 kg