Nitesh Siwach ends 64-year wait, scripts Greco-Roman history with Asian Games silver

Gifu, Oct 1 (UNI) Nitesh Siwach ended a 64-year wait for an Indian finalist in Greco-Roman wrestling at the Asian Games and scripted a new chapter in the country's history by winning a silver medal in the men's 97kg category here on Thursday.

Siwach's silver is India's first-ever runner-up finish in Greco-Roman wrestling at the Asian Games, adding a historic medal to a discipline in which the country had previously managed only four bronze medals. The Indian, however, was denied the gold by Japan's Yuri Nakazato, who defeated him in the title bout. Siwach had looked imperious on his way to the final, beginning his campaign with a 7-1 quarterfinal victory over Turkmenistan's Amanberdi Agamammedov before producing an even more emphatic performance against Mongolia's Gankhuyang Ganbaatar in the semifinals.

The Asian Championships silver medallist overwhelmed Ganbaatar 9-0 by technical superiority, wrapping up the contest in the opening three-minute period. Siwach's semifinal was marked by two four-point throws from the ground position, leaving the Mongolian unable to respond as the Indian sealed his place in the gold-medal bout.

The final proved a tougher challenge, with Nakazato taking an early 2-0 lead. Siwach was unable to erase the deficit as the Japanese wrestler held on to secure the gold. Despite missing out on the top step of the podium, Siwach's silver marked India's best-ever finish in Greco-Roman wrestling at the Asian Games and ended a prolonged wait for a finalist in the discipline.

Before Siwach, India's four Greco-Roman wrestling medals at the Asian Games had all been bronze, making his silver a landmark achievement for the country's wrestling contingent.

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