Aichi-Nagoya, October 1: Nitesh Siwach produced a commanding performance to storm into the men’s Greco-Roman 97kg final at the Asian Games, defeating Mongolia’s Gankhuyag Ganbaatar 9-0 in the semifinal on Thursday.
The emphatic victory guarantees India another wrestling medal at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, with Nitesh now set to fight for gold later in the day. Ganbaatar is a Hangzhou Asian Games bronze medallist, making Nitesh’s clinical victory even more significant.
Nitesh had earlier impressed in the quarterfinals, defeating Turkmenistan’s Amanberdi Agamammedov 7-1. The Indian established a commanding 7-0 advantage in the opening period before completing the victory.
The 97kg wrestler, who won silver at the Asian Championships earlier this year, has now taken another major step towards an Asian Games title. His run has also added another medal to India’s wrestling campaign in Aichi-Nagoya.
For Nitesh, the final will offer an opportunity to convert his strong continental form into Asian Games gold.
Meanwhile, Mansi Ahlawat’s bid for a place in the women’s 62kg final came to an end after she was beaten 0-6 by Japan’s two-time world champion Nonoka Ozaki in the semifinal.
Mansi, however, remains in contention for a medal. She will enter the repechage/bronze-medal pathway, giving the Indian wrestler another opportunity to finish on the podium.
Ozaki has been among the leading names in women’s wrestling, and her experience at the highest level proved decisive against Mansi.
India had selected an 18-member wrestling squad for the Aichi-Nagoya Games, including Mansi in the women’s 62kg category and Nitesh Kumar in men’s Greco-Roman 97kg.
With Nitesh already assured of a medal and Mansi still alive in the bronze-medal route, Indian wrestling has another opportunity to add to its medal haul before the Games conclude on October 4.
