India’s Freestyle Wrestling Team to Hold 20-Day Training Camp in Armenia Ahead of 2026 Asian Games

India’s freestyle wrestling team will complete a key stage of its overseas preparations for the 2026 Asian Games with a training camp in Armenia. Six wrestlers selected to compete in Japan, along with their respective sparring partners, will spend around 20 days training in Armenia.

The Asian Games are scheduled to begin on September 19 in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. Ahead of one of the season’s major sporting events, the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) has decided to organize separate international training camps for the country’s men’s freestyle and Greco-Roman teams.

The freestyle wrestlers will prepare in Armenia. Following the training camp, the Indian team will travel to Russia to compete in an international tournament. The wrestlers may also spend several additional days in Russia before returning home.

According to the Wrestling Federation of India, administrative approval for the overseas camps has already been secured, while the visa process is in its final stages.

Georgian specialist Emzarios Shako Bentinidis, who coaches India’s men’s freestyle team, will accompany the wrestlers to Armenia.

Meanwhile, India’s Greco-Roman wrestlers will hold a training camp of approximately 20 days in Uzbekistan. Russian coach Gogi Koguashvili will accompany the team. The Greco-Roman squad is expected to return to India by the end of the month after completing its training program.

India’s women wrestlers will continue training at the national camp under the supervision of Japanese coach Kosei Akaishi. At the same time, the federation is considering sending the women’s team to Japan at least 10 days before the Asian Games to allow the athletes to acclimatize and continue their preparations in local conditions.

Following selection trials held in New Delhi and Lucknow, India has named an 18-member wrestling team for the Asian Games, with six athletes selected in each of the three styles — men’s freestyle, Greco-Roman and women’s wrestling.

The squad includes Olympic bronze medallist Aman Sehrawat in the 57kg freestyle category, world-ranking leader Sujeet Kalkal at 65kg, and two-time World Championships medallist Antim Panghal, who competes in the women’s 53kg division. Deepak Punia and Greco-Roman wrestler Sunil Kumar are also among the leading members of the Indian team.

Wrestling has traditionally been one of India’s most successful disciplines at major multi-sport events. Indian wrestlers have won 65 Asian Games medals throughout the country’s history at the competition, including 11 golds. At the previous edition of the Games, India secured six wrestling medals but failed to win gold.

The Wrestling Federation of India is hoping for an improved performance in Japan. The overseas training camps in Armenia and Uzbekistan are expected to play an important role in helping the wrestlers reach peak condition ahead of the 2026 Asian Games.