Stories
Nitesh Siwach Makes History: Ends India's 64-Year Wait for Greco-Roman Wrestling Medal.
- •Wrestler Nitesh Siwach secured a silver medal in Greco-Roman wrestling at the Asian Games, ending India's 64-year wait for a medal in the sport.
- •Siwach lost the final to Japan's Yuri Nakazato but clinched a historic silver for India.
- •The last medal in this event for India was a bronze won by Ganpat Andalkar in the 1962 Asiad.
- •After a knee injury and surgery, Nitesh started selling milk door-to-door before returning to wrestling on his parents' advice.
- •Nitesh defeated Amanberdi Agamammedov of Turkmenistan 7-1 in the quarterfinals and Mongolia's Gankhuyag Ganbaatar 9-0 in the semifinals.
Key Questions Answered
By securing a silver medal in the 97kg weight category at the Asian Games, Nitesh Siwach ended India's 64-year wait for a medal in Greco-Roman wrestling. The last medal in this sport was won by Ganpat Andalkar, who claimed bronze in the 97+ kg category at the 1962 Asiad.
Nitesh had to quit wrestling due to a serious knee injury sustained during training at Pratap Sports School, which required surgery. During his recovery period, his father asked him to help deliver milk door-to-door or at their shop in Panipat before he eventually returned to the mat.
Japan's Yuri Nakazato won the gold medal after defeating Nitesh Siwach in the final event. Despite missing out on the gold, Nitesh secured the silver medal following victories over Turkmenistan's Amanberdi Agamammedov and Mongolia's Gankhuyag Ganbaatar.
