Overview
- Origin
- Ancient India
- Category
- Combat
- Olympic discipline
- Yes
- Paralympic discipline
- No
- Central pathway
- Olympic (TOPS eligible)
- Athlete profiles on SportSupport
- 125
Governance and status
Each field below is shown only where we hold a source for it; anything else reads “Not currently verified” rather than a guess. Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports recognition is granted year by year, so it is only ever shown with the year it applies to. Last reviewed: September 2026.
- Indian governing/organising body
- WFI
- Ministry recognition
- Wrestling Federation of India — Annual recognition renewed by the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports — as at 2026Source: Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports — List of recognised National Sports Federations
- International federation
- Not currently verified
- Khelo India inclusion
- On the official Khelo India Games discipline list as "Wrestling"Source: Sports Authority of India / Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports — Discipline wise Participation in all editions of Khelo India Games (19th Edition) (2026-08-29)
- TOPS eligibility
- In scope — TOPS covers Olympic medal prospects
- Olympic status
- On the Olympic programme
- Paralympic status
- Not a Paralympic discipline
Wrestling is listed on SportSupport in the combat category. Its recorded origin is Ancient India. It is on the Olympic programme. We list WFI as the Indian governing/organising body for the sport.
Akharas of Haryana and Punjab feed India's Olympic medal hopes.
Wrestling is on the pathway that runs through India's national sports federations to the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS), with selection running through WFI against its published benchmarks. Being on this pathway is not itself a statement that the discipline is currently in TOPS — TOPS covers a Core Group and a Development Group chosen by the Mission Olympic Cell. Wrestling appears on the official Khelo India Games discipline list as "Wrestling", so junior talent identified by the discipline's selectors can be considered under Khelo India Talent Identification & Development (KITID). (Source: Sports Authority of India / Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports — Discipline wise Participation in all editions of Khelo India Games (19th Edition).)
Indian Achievements
Hand-reviewed Olympic, Paralympic, World, Asian and Commonwealth milestones for India in wrestling, compiled from the sources listed on this page. Last reviewed: September 2026.
- K. D. Jadhav — Olympic Bronze, Helsinki 1952 (India's first individual Olympic medal).
- Sushil Kumar — Olympic Bronze Beijing 2008, Silver London 2012 (only Indian with two individual Olympic medals until 2024).
- Yogeshwar Dutt — Olympic Bronze London 2012.
- Sakshi Malik — Olympic Bronze Rio 2016 (first Indian woman wrestler to win an Olympic medal).
- Bajrang Punia — Olympic Bronze Tokyo 2020; World silver 2018.
- Ravi Kumar Dahiya — Olympic Silver Tokyo 2020; World bronze 2019.
- Aman Sehrawat — Olympic Bronze Paris 2024 (youngest Indian Olympic medallist).
Famous Indian Players
Landmark wrestling names from India, past and present.
- Sushil KumarTwo-time Olympic medallist; World Champion 2010.
- Bajrang PuniaOlympic bronze 2020; Asian Games gold; Padma Shri.
- Sakshi MalikRio 2016 Olympic bronze — first Indian woman wrestler medallist.
- Vinesh PhogatFirst Indian woman wrestler to win Asian Games gold (2018, 2022).
- Ravi Kumar DahiyaTokyo 2020 Olympic silver.
- Aman SehrawatParis 2024 Olympic bronze at 57kg freestyle.
- Antim PanghalU-20 World Champion 2022, 2023; senior Asian Championship gold.
Notable Coaches
Head coaches and mentors behind India's leading wrestling results.
- Mahavir Singh PhogatCoached Phogat sisters (Geeta, Babita, Vinesh) to Commonwealth Games and Asian medals.
- Satpal SinghCoached Sushil Kumar; Chhatrasal Stadium chief; Dronacharya awardee.
- Sushil YadavIndia women's national coach; multiple international campaigns.
- Jagmander SinghIndia men's freestyle head coach; Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 campaigns.
Scholarships & Funding
Central, state and private scholarships available for wrestling athletes in India.
- SAI NCoE Wrestling (Sonepat, Lucknow, Aurangabad)
National Centre of Excellence scholarships with stipend and boarding.
- Chhatrasal Stadium (Delhi)
Legendary wrestling akhara with stipend and boarding for talented wrestlers.
- Haryana / Punjab sports scholarships
State-run wrestling scholarships including cash awards for medallists.
- Khelo India Talent Identification & Development (KITID)
Monthly stipend (₹10,000 for selected Khelo India athletes), boarding, coaching and kit at accredited centres for talent identified through the Khelo India selection process (Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports). Applies only to disciplines on the official Khelo India Games list, and only to athletes it selects.
- Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS)
Central government scheme covering training, foreign exposure, equipment and an out-of-pocket allowance (up to ₹50,000/month) for athletes inducted by the Mission Olympic Cell. The Sports Authority of India names wrestling among the scheme's high-priority disciplines, though induction is still decided athlete by athlete.
Indian Players
125 profiles- Aman SehrawatHaryana
Youngest Indian individual Olympic medallist (men's 57kg, Paris 2024).
- Antim PanghalHaryana
U-20 world champion and senior world bronze medallist at 53kg.
- Bajrang PuniaHaryana
Freestyle wrestler at 65kg; Olympic bronze medallist at Tokyo 2020 and world silver medallist in 2018. A four-year suspension imposed by NADA from 23 April 2024, for failing to provide a sample at the March 2024 national trials, runs to 2028; he is ineligible to compete while it stands.
- Sakshi MalikHaryana
First Indian woman wrestler to win an Olympic medal (bronze, Rio 2016). One of the leading figures in the 2023 wrestlers' protest against the then-president of the Wrestling Federation of India, and announced her retirement from wrestling in December 2023.
- Sushil KumarDelhi
Freestyle wrestler; Olympic bronze medallist at Beijing 2008 and silver medallist at London 2012, and the first Indian individual athlete to win two Olympic medals.
- Vinesh PhogatHaryana
Three-time Commonwealth Games gold medallist and 2018 Asian Games champion; disqualified from the Paris 2024 Olympic 50kg final for being above the weight limit, and announced her retirement in August 2024.
- Adkar MarutiIndia
Adkar Maruti (born 15 February 1950) is an Indian former wrestler who competed in the 1972 Summer Olympics.
- Alka TomarUttar Pradesh
Alka Tomar is an Indian wrestler who belongs to village Sisauli (Uttar Pradesh). She became the National Women Wrestling champion of India, and received the bronze medal in Wrestling (59 kg Freestyle) at the Doha Asian Games in 2006. Alka Tomar also received a bronze at the Senior Wrestling Championships in Guangzhou in China 2006.
- Amit DhankharIndia
Amit Kumar Dhankar (born 2 January 1987) is a freestyle wrestler from India. He became Asian wrestling champion in 2013, along with becoming Commonwealth wrestling champion twice. He also won gold medal in the 2016 South Asian Games.
- Amit Kumar DahiyaDelhi
Amit Kumar Dahiya (born 15 December 1993) is an Indian wrestler who represented India at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, United Kingdom. He was the youngest wrestler ever to represent India at the Olympics while also being the youngest athlete of the 2012 Indian Olympic delegation. In the recently concluded Pro Wrestling League's players' auction, he has been bought by Olive Global, a technology firm, and will be part of Haryana Hammers wrestling team.
- Anil KumarIndia
Anil Kumar (born 1 March 1979) is an Indian wrestler who hails from Haryana. At the 2010 Commonwealth Games, he won a gold in the Men's Greco-Roman 96 kg's wrestling.
- Anil KumarIndia
Anil Kumar (born 27 October 1971) is an Indian wrestler. He competed in the men's freestyle 52 kg at the 1992 Summer Olympics.
- Anil MannIndia
Anil Kumar Mann (born 11 December 1980) is an Indian wrestler who wan silver medal in 2002 Commonwealth Games in the men's freestyle 96 kg event. In 2005 mann wins gold medal in commonweatlth championship. In 2007 Mann won two gold medals in freestyle and Greco roman category and best wrestler award and became the first Indian wrestler who won gold medals in both freestyle and greco roman category.
- Anita TomarHaryana
Anita Sheoran (born 24 November 1984) is a female wrestler from India. She has won gold medal at the 2010 Commonwealth Games along with winning multiple medals at the Asian Wrestling Championships and the Commonwealth Wrestling Championships.
- Anshu MalikHaryana
Anshu Malik (born 5 August 2001) is an Indian freestyle wrestler. She won a silver medal in the women's 57 kg event at the 2021 World Wrestling Championships.
- Anuj ChaudharyDelhi
Anuj Kumar Chaudhary (born 5 August) is a retired Indian freestyle wrestler and Additional Superintendent of Police (ADDL. SP) in Uttar Pradesh. He competed for India in the 84 kg freestyle wrestling category at numerous international tournaments, including the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens.
- Ashok KumarIndia
Ashok Kumar (born 28 October 1959) is an Indian wrestler. He competed in the men's freestyle 52 kg at the 1980 Summer Olympics.
- Ashok Kumar GargHaryana
Ashok Kumar Garg (born 7 July 1969) is an Indian wrestler. He competed in the men's freestyle 57 kg at the 1992 Summer Olympics. In 1993, he won the Arjuna Award.
- Babita KumariHaryana
Babita Kumari Phogat (born 20 November 1989) is a former Indian professional wrestler and a politician from the state of Haryana. She is a multiple Commonwealth Games medalist, winning the gold medal in 2014 Commonwealth Games, and silver medals at the 2010 and 2018 Commonwealth Games. When she won the 2014 Commonwealth gold medal, she became the second Indian women wrestler to win a Commonwealth gold after her sister Geeta Phogat, who had won it in 2010.
- Bandu PatilIndia
Bandu Patil (born 16 September 1942) is an Indian wrestler. He competed in two events at the 1964 Summer Olympics.
- Bishambar SinghIndia
Bishambar Singh (also Bishamber, 1 October 1940 – 2004) is a retired Indian bantamweight wrestler. In 1966 he won a gold medal at the Commonwealth Games and a bronze at the Asian Games, both in freestyle wrestling. Next year he won a silver medal at the world championships, he is the 1st Indian who won the Silver medal in world wrestling championship.
- Chandgi RamHaryana
Chandgi Ram Kaliraman (9 November 1937 – 29 June 2010), often referred to as Master Chandgi Ram, was a freestyle wrestler from India. He won gold medal in the 1970 Asian Games and represented India in the 1972 Summer Olympics. Along with amateur wrestling, he was very active in the traditional Indian wrestling, where he had won all major titles, including Hind Kesari, Bharat Kesari, Bharat Bhim, Rustom-e-Hind and Maha Bharat Kesari.
- Chinu SandhuPunjab
Chinu Sandhu (born 6 June 1987) is a British freestyle wrestler. He also goes by the name Chinu Chinu and Chinu XXX.
- Deepak NehraIndia
Deepak Nehra (born 1 January 2003) is an Indian freestyle wrestler, who competes in the 97 kg category. He won a bronze medal in the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games.
- Deepak PuniaHaryana
Deepak Punia (born 19 May 1999) is an Indian freestyle wrestler. Punia has won a silver medal at the 2019 World Championships in the men's 86 kg event, where he conceded the final by walkover to his idol, Hassan Yazdani. This silver medal earned him a berth at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, where he finished fifth after narrowly losing the bronze medal match.
- Dharan Singh DahiyaIndia
Dharan Singh Dahiya (born 12 July 1967) is an Indian wrestler. He competed in the men's freestyle 62 kg at the 1992 Summer Olympics.
- Dinkkarao ShindeMaharashtra
Dinkarrao Shinde (also Dinkkarao, 2 June 1900 – 18 August 1962) was an Indian wrestler. He competed in the freestyle featherweight event at the 1920 Summer Olympics where he finished fourth. He was the first Indian wrestler to win an Olympic bout.
- Divya KakranUttar Pradesh
Divya Kakran (born 2 July 1998) is an Indian freestyle wrestler. A multiple-time medalist at the Asian Championships, she has also won medals at the Asian Games and the Commonwealth Games. In recognition of her contributions to Indian wrestling, she was conferred with the Arjuna Award in 2020.
- Ganpat AndhalkarIndia
Ganpat Andalkar (born 15 April 1935) is an Indian wrestler. He competed in two events at the 1964 Summer Olympics. He was the recipient of the Arjuna Award in 1964 for his contribution to wrestling.
- Gargi YadavIndia
Gargi Yadav is an Indian freestyle wrestler from Meerut, Uttar Pradesh. She won the silver medal in the 65 kg event at the 2017 Commonwealth Wrestling Championship, held at Johannesburg, South Africa. She also won a silver medal at the 2016 Commonwealth Wrestling Championship held in Singapore.
- Gaurav BaliyanIndia
Gourav Baliyan is an Indian freestyle wrestler. He won the silver medal at the 2020 Asian Wrestling Championships in the 79 kg category.
- Geeta PhogatHaryana
Geeta Phogat (born 15 December 1988) is a freestyle wrestler who won India's first-ever gold medal in wrestling at the Commonwealth Games in 2010. She was also the first Indian female wrestler to have qualified for the Olympic Games.
- Geetika JakharHaryana
Geetika Jakhar (born 18 August 1985) is an Indian wrestler. Geetika comes from a family of sportspersons. She got Arjuna Award - 2006.
- Gian SinghIndia
Gian Singh (born 2 July 1959) is an Indian wrestler. He competed in the men's freestyle 62 kg at the 1984 Summer Olympics.
- Gurbinder SinghIndia
Gurbinder Singh (born 6 June 1977) is an Indian wrestler. He competed in the men's Greco-Roman 63 kg at the 2000 Summer Olympics.
- Hardeep SinghHaryana
Hardeep Singh (born 20 December 1990) is a male Greco-Roman wrestler from India. He became Commonwealth Champion in 2013 and finished as runner-up at the 2016 Asian Wrestling Championships. In March 2016, he became the first Indian heavyweight Greco-Roman wrestler to qualify for the Olympics.
- Harishchandra BirajdarMaharashtra
Harishchandra Madhavrao Birajdar (June 5, 1950 – September 14, 2011) was a wrestler and wrestling coach from India. He was a Gold Medallist in the 1970 British Commonwealth Games. He was also known as the coach of National Games winners.
- Jagmander SinghIndia
Jagmander Singh (born 1 March 1956) is an Indian wrestler. He competed at the 1980 Summer Olympics and the 1984 Summer Olympics.
- Jai PrakashIndia
Jai Prakash (born 1 January 1958) is an Indian wrestler. He competed in the men's freestyle 90 kg at the 1984 Summer Olympics.
- JyotiDelhi
Jyoti (born 17 December 1985) is an Indian wrestler. She represented India in the women's freestyle 75 kg category at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in which she placed fourth.
- Karam RasulIndia
Karam Rasul (born 17 May 1911, date of death unknown) was an Indian wrestler. He competed in the men's freestyle middleweight at the 1936 Summer Olympics.
- Kartar SinghIndia
Kartar Singh (born 7 October 1953) is an Indian wrestler who won gold medals at the Asian Games in 1978 and 1986. He stood 7th at the 1984 Summer Olympics – Men's freestyle 100 kg Wrestling.
- Keshav MangaveIndia
Keshav Mangave (10 June 1926 – 11 July 1997) was an Indian wrestler. He competed in the men's freestyle featherweight at the 1952 Summer Olympics.
- Khashaba Dadasaheb JadhavMaharashtra
Khashaba Dadasaheb Jadhav (15 January 1925 – 14 August 1984) was an Indian freestyle wrestler. He is best known for winning a bronze medal at the 1952 Summer Olympics in Helsinki. He was the first athlete from independent India to win an individual medal in the Olympics.
- Kiran BishnoiHaryana
Kiran Bishnoi, also known as Kiran Godara or simply Kiran, (born 2 January 1992) is a freestyle wrestler from India. She was a bronze medalist at the 2018 Commonwealth Games. She has also been gold medallist at the Commonwealth Wrestling Championships in 2017.
- Kripa Shankar Patel BishnoiMadhya Pradesh
Kripa Shankar Patel Bishnoi (born 5 August 1977) is an Indian professional wrestler and coach.
- Kuldeep SinghIndia
Kuldeep Singh (born 5 February 1966) is an Indian wrestler. He competed in the men's freestyle 52 kg at the 1988 Summer Olympics.
- Kumar NavaleIndia
Kumar Navale (born 1897, date of death unknown) was an Indian wrestler. He competed in the freestyle middleweight event at the 1920 Summer Olympics.
Rules
Two wrestlers grapple on a circular mat, aiming to pin the opponent's shoulders to the ground or score more technical points through takedowns, reversals, and exposure. Olympic wrestling has two disciplines — freestyle (all-body holds allowed) and Greco-Roman (upper body only, no leg holds or trips). Bouts run two 3-minute periods.
Authoritative rulebook: WFI. Age-group and school-level variations are published by SGFI and the state associations each season.
Positions
Typical roles across combat sports. These are category-level descriptions, not a sourced wrestling squad list.
- Fighter / competitorContests bouts inside the ring, mat or cage in a set weight category.
- Corner / secondCoach in the corner during the bout — allowed to instruct between rounds.
- Referee & judgesOfficiate the bout, score rounds and enforce safety rules.
- Cutman / medicalManages cuts, swelling and immediate medical needs between rounds.
Equipment
Standard kit and infrastructure required to train and compete in wrestling at a federation-recognised event.
- Wrestling mat (circular competition area)
- Wrestling singlet
- Wrestling shoes (soft-soled, ankle support)
- Ear guards
Governing/organising body
Wrestling Federation of India is the body we list as the Indian governing/organising body for Wrestling. Its recognition status as we hold it: Annual recognition renewed by the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports (as at 2026). Recognition is granted year by year, so read the federation profile for the source.
- Origin
- Ancient India
- Olympic
- Yes
- Paralympic
- No
- Category
- Combat
Major Indian Events
Domestic competitions we hold a source for in wrestling.
- Senior National Wrestling Championship
WFI-sanctioned senior national — men and women in Olympic weight categories.
- U-15 / U-17 / U-20 / U-23 National Championships
Age-group nationals feeding the international U-15 to U-23 pathway.
- Federation Cup Wrestling
Selection trial for major international events.
- Bharat Kesari Kushti Dangal
Indian-style traditional wrestling championship.
- Pro Wrestling League (PWL)
Franchise league in Olympic-style wrestling (intermittent editions).
International Events
Continental and world-level competitions we hold a source for in wrestling.
- Olympic Games (Wrestling)
Men's freestyle, women's wrestling, and Greco-Roman weight categories.
- UWW World Wrestling Championships
Annual senior world championship (except Olympic years).
- Asian Games / Asian Championships
Continental championships — India regularly wins 6-8 medals.
- Commonwealth Games (Wrestling)
India tops the medal table more often than not.
- Ranking Series events
UWW-sanctioned meets for Olympic and World seeding points.
Leagues
Franchise and professional leagues catalogued for wrestling. Full season data, champions and schedule filters are available in the sidebar.
- Domestic · Since 2015Pro Wrestling League
Franchise wrestling league featuring Indian and international Olympic-style wrestlers.
International Players
Globally recognised wrestling athletes to know outside India.
- Russia (Historic USSR & Russia)Most-decorated nation in Olympic wrestling.
- USAConsistently top of the freestyle and women's medal tables at Worlds and Olympics.
- IranDominant in men's freestyle; multiple World and Olympic team titles.
- Japan (Women)Most-decorated women's wrestling nation in history.
Career Options
Ways to build a career in wrestling — on the field, on the sidelines and behind the scenes.
- TOPS-supported international wrestler
- PWL / commercial pro wrestler
- WFI / UWW-certified coach and referee
- Sports quota government jobs — Railways, Haryana Police, Punjab Police, Indian Army
- Sports science / physio at SAI NCoE wrestling centres
- Akhara operator and grassroots talent scout
Related academies
38 listed- Inspire Institute of SportEliteVijayanagar, Karnataka · Since 2018
JSW-backed high-performance centre training Olympic medal hopefuls.
- Chhotu Ram AkharaNationalRohtak, Haryana · Since 1980
Traditional kushti akhara that feeds the national wrestling pipeline.
- Netaji Subhas National Institute of Sports, PatialaElitePatiala, Punjab · Since 1961
Asia's largest sports institute and SAI's flagship coach-education and training campus.
- SAI Western Centre, GandhinagarNationalGandhinagar, Gujarat · Since 1986
Western India's residential SAI centre with full sports-science support; its athletics, powerlifting and swimming programmes here are para disciplines.
- Olympic Gold Quest HPCEliteMumbai, Maharashtra · Since 2001
Foundation backing India's leading Olympic medal contenders with full athlete support.
- Motilal Nehru School of SportsNationalSonipat, Haryana · Since 1973
Haryana's residential sports school — a feeder for the state's medal factory.
- Guru Hanuman AkharaNationalNew Delhi, Delhi · Since 1925
India's most decorated wrestling akhara — alumni include Sushil Kumar and Yogeshwar Dutt.
- Chhatrasal Stadium Wrestling AkharaEliteNew Delhi, Delhi · Since 1982
Run by Mahabali Satpal — produced Olympic medallists Sushil and Yogeshwar.
- Shri Shiv Chhatrapati Sports ComplexStatePune, Maharashtra · Since 1994
Maharashtra's premier multi-sport campus at Balewadi, Pune.
- Army Sports InstituteElitePune, Maharashtra · Since 2001
Indian Army's elite multi-sport institute producing Olympians and Asian Games medallists.
- Bihar Sports Academy, RajgirStateRajgir, Bihar
Bihar government's residential academy and Khelo India State Centre of Excellence at Rajgir.
- SAI National Centre of Excellence (NCOE), SonepatEliteSonepat, Haryana · Since 2005
SAI Ch. Devi Lal Northern Regional Centre — India's national wrestling hub since 2009.
Government Schemes
8 listedCentral and state schemes that fund training, stipends and awards for wrestling athletes and academies.
- Department of Sports, Uttar PradeshUttar Pradesh State Sports Hostels Admission
Residential academies providing free boarding, lodging, and professional coaching to selected youngsters.
- Department of Sports and Youth Affairs, HaryanaState Sports Academies and Hostels
Residential sports hostels providing free boarding, lodging, and scientific training to promising athletes.
- Department of Youth Empowerment and Sports, KarnatakaDYES Sports Hostels
Residential academies providing free boarding, lodging, and professional coaching to selected youngsters.
- Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports / NSNIS PatialaNSNIS Master’s Degree in Sports Coaching
A two-year postgraduate program affiliated with a university to provide advanced research and technical expertise in coaching.
- Government of Maharashtra (Sports and Youth Services)Maharashtra 5% Reservation for Meritorious Sportspersons (revised policy, 2026)
On 8 September 2026 the Maharashtra Cabinet approved a revised policy for the 5 per cent parallel reservation for meritorious sportspersons in direct recruitment in state government and semi-government bodies. Sports included in at least three consecutive Summer Olympic Games after 2005 qualify, and Kabaddi, Kho-Kho, Chess, Mallakhamb and Cricket have been added as regional sports. Under the revised policy, sports certificates must be verified through a digital Sports E-Certificate system within three months, and earlier government resolutions on the quota were rescinded.
- Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC), a Government of India enterprise under the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural GasONGC Sports Scholarship Scheme
Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC), a Government of India enterprise, gives monthly scholarships to economically weaker young sportspersons who have the potential to excel in sport, in games including badminton, boxing, wrestling, kabaddi, chess, athletics and para sports. This is a public-sector company scheme, not a government department scheme. A scholarship is awarded for one year and can be extended up to two years based on annual performance. The number of scholarships is fixed game by game; for the 2025-26 round, for example, badminton had 6 (3 for men and 3 for women) and kabaddi had 20.
- NHPC Limited (a Government of India enterprise under the Ministry of Power)NHPC Sports Scholarship Scheme for Upcoming Sportspersons
NHPC Limited, a Government of India enterprise, offers a sports scholarship to promising young players aged 14 to 19 years (14 to 24 years for para sports) in 16 games, to encourage their talent and build a talent pool during their formative years of education. This is a public-sector company scheme, not a government department scheme. Up to 32 scholarships are provided, two in each game, in two categories, Elite Scholar and Scholar, for a period of three years.
- Ministry of Youth Affairs and SportsCreation of Multipurpose Indoor Halls (PMSDP)
Supports the construction of indoor halls that can accommodate multiple sports, specifically in underserved areas under the Prime Minister's Development Package.
FAQs
Common questions about wrestling in India.
Who governs Wrestling in India?▾
We list WFI as the Indian governing/organising body for Wrestling, and state associations affiliated to it run age-group and state-level competition. We hold no current-year Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports recognition record for it, so this is not a statement that it is currently a recognised national sports federation — recognition is granted year by year.
Is Wrestling an Olympic sport?▾
Yes, Wrestling is on the Olympic programme. Athletes selected by WFI against its published criteria can be considered for TOPS funding.
How do I start playing Wrestling in India?▾
The usual routes are a school team under the School Games Federation of India (SGFI), a college team under the Association of Indian Universities (AIU), or a private academy affiliated to your state association under WFI. Age-group state championships follow from there.
What government schemes support Wrestling athletes?▾
The Sports Authority of India names Wrestling among the Target Olympic Podium Scheme's high-priority disciplines, so medal-prospect athletes in it can be considered for TOPS support, and state governments give cash awards to medallists at events they notify. (Source: Sports Authority of India — https://sportsauthorityofindia.nic.in/sai_new/target-olympic-podium) Wrestling appears on the official Khelo India Games discipline list as "Wrestling", so athletes identified by the discipline's selectors can be considered under Khelo India Talent Identification & Development (KITID). Appearing on the list is not itself a grant of funding.
How many Olympic medals has India won in wrestling?▾
8 Olympic medals as of Paris 2024 — two silver and six bronze. That is the highest total of any individual discipline for India; only field hockey, a team sport, has more with 13.
What are the main wrestling weight categories?▾
Olympic wrestling has 6 weight categories each in men's freestyle, women's wrestling and Greco-Roman (18 total).
Wrestling in every state & UT
Dedicated pages for Wrestling in each Indian state and Union Territory — academies, schemes, athletes and how to start.
- Wrestling in Andhra Pradesh
- Wrestling in Arunachal Pradesh
- Wrestling in Assam
- Wrestling in Bihar
- Wrestling in Chhattisgarh
- Wrestling in Goa
- Wrestling in Gujarat
- Wrestling in Haryana
- Wrestling in Himachal Pradesh
- Wrestling in Jharkhand
- Wrestling in Karnataka
- Wrestling in Kerala
- Wrestling in Madhya Pradesh
- Wrestling in Maharashtra
- Wrestling in Manipur
- Wrestling in Meghalaya
- Wrestling in Mizoram
- Wrestling in Nagaland
- Wrestling in Odisha
- Wrestling in Punjab
- Wrestling in Rajasthan
- Wrestling in Sikkim
- Wrestling in Tamil Nadu
- Wrestling in Telangana
- Wrestling in Tripura
- Wrestling in Uttar Pradesh
- Wrestling in Uttarakhand
- Wrestling in West Bengal
- Wrestling in Andaman & Nicobar Islands
- Wrestling in Chandigarh
- Wrestling in Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu
- Wrestling in Delhi
- Wrestling in Jammu & Kashmir
- Wrestling in Ladakh
- Wrestling in Lakshadweep
- Wrestling in Puducherry