India's Greco-Roman wrestling veteran Sunil Kumar has set his sights on winning gold at the upcoming Asian Games, bringing with him a wealth of experience that includes six continental championship titles. The 87kg freestyle wrestler has emerged as one of India's most decorated competitors in the discipline, yet his path to the top was anything but conventional.
Kumar's journey began far from the polished arenas of international competition. He picked up wrestling in his home village in Haryana's Bhiwani district — an area that has produced some of India's most celebrated grapplers — drawn to the sport by local coaches who spotted his natural aptitude. What started as grassroots passion quickly turned into a serious pursuit, and within a span of just a few years, he had risen through the national rankings to earn selection for senior international tournaments.
His breakthrough came on the Asian stage, where he claimed his first championship title and went on to dominate the continental circuit across multiple editions. Kumar's versatility in Greco-Roman techniques, combined with his conditioning and ring intelligence, has made him a formidable opponent for wrestlers across Asia. Coaches and selectors have repeatedly pointed to his consistency as a distinguishing trait, noting that while many Indian wrestlers peak at one or two majors, Kumar has maintained elite-level performance across more than a decade.
Ahead of the Asian Games, which serve as a crucial qualifying window for Olympic berths, Kumar has been training intensively at the National Wrestling Academy in Rohtak. He faces stiff competition in the 87kg category, where wrestlers from Japan, Iran, and Kazakhstan are considered strong favourites. Nevertheless, Kumar remains confident that his extensive tournament experience gives him an edge in high-pressure encounters.
Sports officials from the Wrestling Federation of India have expressed optimism about his chances, noting that Kumar's presence in the lineup adds depth and leadership to a squad still building consistency on the global stage. For India, a medal in the men's 87kg Greco-Roman event would be a significant result, given the relative scarcity of deep runs in this particular discipline compared to freestyle.
