April 3, 2025: Former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief and BJP leader Brij Bhushan Singh expressed his pride in India’s wrestlers after their impressive showing at the Asian Wrestling Championships 2025. The Indian contingent concluded the competition with a total of 10 medals, including a gold, three silver, and six bronze, marking a significant achievement in the country’s wrestling history.
Although past editions have seen India secure 18-19 medals, including a higher number of golds, Brij Bhushan emphasized that this year’s performance was still a major milestone, especially considering that it had been over two and a half years since India won such a high number of medals in a single competition.
“There was a time when we used to get 18-19 medals, including two to three gold medals. Despite that, these ten medals are an achievement because it’s been over two and a half years since we have won this many medals,” he said.
Reflecting on the developments in India’s wrestling infrastructure, Brij Bhushan mentioned the importance of continuous and focused training. He revealed that wrestling camps have been set up for both boys in Pune and girls in Gujarat, with players focusing solely on their wrestling goals during their training.
On the final day of the championship, Indian wrestlers showcased their remarkable resilience and talent across various weight categories. Udit (61 kg) and Deepak Punia (92 kg) fought in the gold medal bouts, while Mukul Dahiya (86 kg) and Dinesh Kumar (125 kg) contested for bronze.
Udit, who had won silver in the 57 kg category the previous year, secured his second consecutive silver medal, putting up a strong fight against Japan’s Takara Suda in the final. Deepak Punia, despite a brilliant performance in earlier rounds, settled for silver after losing to Iran’s Amirhossein Biglar in the 92 kg final.
In the 125 kg category, Dinesh Kumar clinched a bronze medal after a dramatic and closely contested match. Mukul Dahiya narrowly missed out on a bronze, losing to Japan’s Tatsuya Shirai.