Nitesh Siwach’s historic Greco-Roman silver: How is the discipline different from freestyle wrestling? – Explained
Nitesh Siwach’s Historic Greco-Roman Silver Explained
Bharatmorningnews.com – Nitesh Siwach’s historic Greco-Roman silver marked a major moment for Indian wrestling at the Asian Games. Competing in the men’s 97kg category, the 23-year-old became India’s first Greco-Roman silver medallist at the event since 1962, ending a wait of more than six decades.
Siwach booked his place in the final with a dominant 9-0 technical-superiority victory over Mongolia’s Gankhuyag Ganbaatar in the semifinal. He was then defeated by Japan’s Yuri Nakazato in the gold-medal bout, but the result remained an important breakthrough for India in a discipline where podium finishes have been rare.
India have won 65 Asian Games wrestling medals overall, with 54 coming in freestyle and only 11 in Greco-Roman wrestling. That gap shows why Nitesh Siwach’s historic Greco-Roman silver carries particular significance for the sport in India.
India’s long wait for a Greco-Roman silver
Before Siwach’s achievement, India’s previous Greco-Roman silver medals at the Asian Games came in Jakarta in 1962. Maruti Mane won silver in the men’s 97kg category, while Sajjan Singh finished second in the men’s 87kg division.
The 1962 Asian Games also remain India’s only gold-medal success in Greco-Roman wrestling. Ganpat Andalkar won the men’s +97kg title, setting a benchmark that Indian wrestlers have found difficult to match in later editions.
India have added five bronze medals in the discipline since then. At the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Sunil Kumar won bronze in the men’s 87kg category for the second consecutive time, underlining the gradual progress being made in Greco-Roman wrestling.
How Greco-Roman wrestling differs from freestyle
Both Greco-Roman and freestyle wrestling reward takedowns, turns and exposing an opponent’s back to the mat. The central difference is simple: Greco-Roman wrestlers can attack only above the waist, while freestyle wrestlers are allowed to target the legs.
In Greco-Roman wrestling, athletes cannot grab, trip or directly attack an opponent’s legs. They also cannot use their own legs to initiate actions against the rival’s legs. This restriction creates a style built around upper-body strength, balance and close-range control.
Freestyle wrestling allows single-leg and double-leg attacks, trips and lower-body defence. Wrestlers often adopt a lower stance, creating a faster and more varied tactical contest. The legal use of leg attacks gives freestyle competitors more ways to score and recover from difficult positions.
Why upper-body control matters
Greco-Roman wrestlers rely heavily on hand fighting, body locks, lifts, throws and control around the torso. Bouts are often fought from an upright, close-contact position as each athlete tries to secure a strong grip around the arms, chest or waist.
Because leg attacks are prohibited, a mistake in an upper-body exchange can be costly. A wrestler who loses position can be lifted, turned or thrown, making timing and grip strength crucial. These demands help explain the authority Siwach showed during his semifinal victory.
A standard wrestling match has two three-minute periods with a 30-second break between them. In Greco-Roman wrestling, passivity can result in a wrestler being placed face down on the mat, giving the opponent an opportunity to score from a waist attack.
FAQ: Nitesh Siwach and Greco-Roman wrestling
Why is Nitesh Siwach’s historic Greco-Roman silver important?
It is India’s first Asian Games silver medal in Greco-Roman wrestling since 1962. The result also adds momentum to India’s efforts to improve in a style that has produced far fewer medals than freestyle wrestling.
Can Greco-Roman wrestlers attack the legs?
No. Attacks and holds below the waist are not allowed in Greco-Roman wrestling. Wrestlers must create scoring chances through upper-body techniques such as locks, throws and lifts.
Which wrestling style is more common in India?
India has traditionally achieved greater success in freestyle wrestling, reflected by its larger Asian Games medal tally in that discipline. Nitesh Siwach’s historic Greco-Roman silver is therefore a notable achievement for a developing area of Indian wrestling.