India’s women wrestlers, possessing a lot of experience, are expected to put up a better show in the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games.

In the previous edition, three Indian women had bagged bronze medals. Of the three, two-time World championships medallist Antim Panghal (53kg) is returning with the hope of changing the colour of her medal. Barring 17-year-old Dipanshi (50kg), others in the squad are experienced. Former Asian champion Manisha Bhanwala (57kg) and World under-23 bronze medallist Priya Malik (76kg) are among the leading medal contenders.

Former Asian silver medallist Nisha Dahiya (68kg) and 2024 Worlds bronze medallist Mansi Ahlawat (62kg), who has recovered from an injury, are also capable of making the podium. “We expect tough competition from China, Japan, the Koreas and Central Asian countries. But we will win medals,” women’s coach Virender Dahiya said.

In men’s freestyle, Paris Olympics bronze medallist Aman Sehrawat (57kg) and World under-23 champion Sujeet Kalkal (65kg) are the top names.

Aman, fighting in 61kg, took silver in the Zagreb Open and Asian Championships before switching back to his pet 57kg to strike gold in the Budapest Ranking Series. Uzbekistan’s World and Olympic medallist Gulomjon Abdullaev may be a roadblock for Aman, who aspires to upgrade his bronze from the Hangzhou edition to gold.

Sujeet, who claimed the yellow metal in the Zagreb Open, Muhamet Malo Ranking Series and Asian Championships, needs to overcome Olympic champion, Worlds silver medallist and local favourite Kotaro Kiyooka to achieve top honour.

Sagar Jaglan (74kg) has the potential to medal as well. Last edition’s 86kg silver medallist Deepak Punia’s decision to jump to 97kg may affect his movement. “We expect gold medals from Aman and Sujeet,” said freestyle coach Vinod Kumar.

In Greco-Roman, last Asiad’s bronze medallist Sunil Kumar (87kg), Asian under-23 champion Sumit Dalal (60kg) and Asian silver medallist Nitesh (97kg) will eye podium finishes. “Russian and Iranian wrestlers are representing Bahrain and Qatar after getting their citizenship. Nonetheless, we should win some medals,” Greco-Roman coach Hargobind Singh said.

Despite losing three wrestlers to doping, India should look at a better haul than the six medals it secured in Hangzhou three years ago.

The focus will squarely be on the big names travelling for the Asian Games as the invitation-only, season-ending Indian Athletics Final Series at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium here on Thursday is set to be the most decorated domestic event of the calendar year.

The Athletics Federation of India has opted for 30 disciplines — 15 each in men and women — in the one-day, single-session event. The cream of Indian track and field, including almost all the Asiad-bound names, will be looking to assess their competition worthiness one last time ahead of the continental extravaganza.

The athletes were invited as per their ranking across the Athletics Series through the year, with the quartermilers expected to be in the spotlight. In men’s 400m, National record holder Vishal T.K., Rajesh Ramesh, Manu T.S., Dharamveer Chaudhary, Mohammed Ashfaq and Jay Kumar have all been called up to compete.

Vishal has also been named in the 200m start list along with Animesh Kujur, who will also be gunning to regain his title of the fastest Indian man in 100m.

NR holder Gurindervir Singh and Harjit Singh are in the shortest sprint, the former hoping to allay fitness concerns. Also returning to action after almost a year and half out with injury and rehab is Avinash Sable in 3000m steeplechase. Ten of the 15 Asian Games medallists from Hangzhou who are bound for Aichi-Nagoya have been named in the start list.

There is no 200m for women while men’s discus throw hasn’t been included either. Harita Bhadra, a late addition to the Asiad squad after winning the 200m National Inter-State championships title in June with a season’s best effort, will be running in 100m along with Unnathi Bollanda Aiyappa.

Yashvir Singh, having made the cut after Neeraj Chopra was ruled out with injury, and Rohit Yadav, will both start in men’s javelin throw while Annu Rani will do so in the women’s section. Shot putter Tajinderpal Singh Toor will also compete for honours.

Some of the athletes have been given exemption, including Murali Sreeshankar (long jump), Praveen Chithravel (triple jump) and Sarvesh Kushare (high jump). The more gruelling events like middle and long-distance runs and decathlon have not been included.

Suruchi Phogat first held a pistol in 2019, at the age of 13. She did so because there were no rifles at the Guru Dronacharya Shooting Academy in Bhiwani; and because her father was determined to make her a sportsperson.

The 20-year-old will be one of the favourites to medal for India in 10m air pistol at the Asian Games later this month, as much because of her performance streak over the past 18 months as her ability to keep things simple. “Excitement. No nervousness, no challenge, nothing. There is only excitement inside me because it is my first Asian Games,” she said, a permanent wide smile on her face exuding an openness that only accentuates her clarity of thought.

The ‘baby’ of the Indian shooting contingent, Suruchi insisted everyone’s equal in the squad but admitted that certain members of the coaching and sports science staff are slightly more protective, telling her what to do and expect while travelling.

It is a throwback to the time she took the local trains for a 100-km journey from Sasroli village in Jhajjar district of Haryana to the academy.

“My father and brother accompanied me. At that time, of course no one knew but once the results and medals started coming, the regulars on the train would recognise me. They would say they had seen my face in the local newspapers and be curious. I would tell them that I am a shooter. It’s not like I suddenly became famous or anything but yes, it was the beginning of a realisation that I am doing something,” she laughed.

Making the cut for Nagoya has been an eventful journey that has seen her win four consecutive World Cups and the World Cup Final, set a National record in 10m air pistol and a World Junior Record in the process and rise to World No. 3. It is only the beginning.

The Indian boxers have been attending a multi-nation camp at NIS Patiala in the run-up to the Asian Games.

Apart from the Indians, the camp features 10 pugilists from the Dominican Republic — seven men and three women — and three from Iran. The Dominican team includes two Paris Olympics bronze medallists — Cristian Pinales (80kg) and Junior Alcantara (51kg) — who are sparring in 90kg and 55kg respectively.

“The Dominican boxers have been in Patiala since the last week of August and the Iranians joined on September 1. It will benefit our boxers as we don’t have enough sparring partners in the heavier weights,” Boxing Federation of India (BFI) executive director Col. (retd.) Arun Malik told The Hindu on Thursday.

“It is difficult to get other foreign boxers for training as the European Championships start on September 15. The boxers in the Americas are preparing for the Pan-American Championships in mid-October and are not willing to travel far.”

Ahead of the Asiad, the Indians will have a camp in Nagoya from September 9 to 16.

Meanwhile, the BFI downplayed the non-allocation of a masseur to the 11 Asian Games-bound boxers. “As per sports science, a masseur is needed during training as he can give a deep muscle massage. But during a competition, a deep massage may sometimes create problems. If someone needs a masseur, we can find one for a gentle massage. We will have a masseur during our Nagoya camp,” said Col. Malik.

“Physios, who know every athlete’s specific needs, play a key role in recovery and rehab when boxers fight one bout after another. A doctor is also needed as boxers can get cuts, which require immediate attention,” he said about the presence of two physios and a doctor in the set-up.

Even though Gulveer Singh clocked 13:52.92, well outside the Asian Games qualifying mark of 13:39.18, to win the men’s 5,000m at the National inter-State athletics meet at the Kalinga Stadium here on Wednesday, he may still stand a chance of being picked for the 5,000m and 10,000m races.

Since the Athletics Federation of India selection committee will take the final decision, Gulveer has a good chance to get picked on the basis of his consistent performances.

The 28-year-old Gulveer, the 10,000m bronze medallist in the last Asiad and the 5,000m and 10,000m gold medallist in the Asian championships, had issues in acclimatising after landing here from a six-month training stint in the USA.

“I used to wake up at 2 o’clock in the night. I have gotten used to it (the time zone), about 50 per cent now,” said Gulveer after finishing his first race in India this season.

“I am not satisfied with the time. It’s hot. The track is new, it’s not gripping well and is bouncy.”

Gulveer Singh of Uttar Pradesh after winning the men’s 5,000m race in the 65th National inter-State senior athletics championship at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar on Wednesday, June 24, 2026.
| Photo Credit:
BISWARANJAN ROUT

Gulveer, the National record holder in 5,000m and 10,000m, wants to retain his focus on his training, despite the pressure of expectations, and follow his coach Scott Simmons’ advice. 

“I have to take pressure. We are doing our best. God knows what will happen in the future. I am focusing on my training. We are not thinking too much,” said Gulveer, who is eyeing a good time in the 1,500m in an attempt to make his finishes faster. He is focusing on his speed work after a disappointing outing in the Tokyo World Championships.

While planning to compete in two major events, the Commonwealth Games and the Asian Games, this season, Gulveer relies on Simmons. “I communicate with my coach after the events. He will decide how to go about it,” said Gulveer.