Top 10 greatest Indian wrestlers of all-time

These grapplers have won numerous laurels.

The history of wrestling in India goes way back to previous centuries. In ancient times, the sport was popularly known as ‘kushti,’ ‘Dangal, ‘Malla-yuddha’ and so on. Once considered a sport for showing power and fitness, wrestling has evolved a lot. Earlier it was played in small villages as a source of entertainment from there to reach biggest competitions like the Olympics and Commonwealth Games, the sport has ascended new heights.

Like the game, Indian wrestlers have also evolved, making their names in the international arena by winning medals and championships. Here are some of the greatest Indian wrestlers in the nation’s history in the sport.

A look at 10 greatest Indian wrestlers

10. Jatindra Charan Goho

J.C. Goho was a world-famous wrestler and also the first Asian to win the World Light Heavyweight Championship in the United States in 1921. Goho came from a family of wrestlers.

He started his career at the age of 18 years in the year 1910. He was famous for his style and technique. In his 34-year long career, he went on three tours of Europe and fought with world-class wrestlers of that era. He invented some of the unique styles of hold, which later became part of wrestling, such as dhobiya pat.

Also Read: All medals won by India in wrestling at Summer Olympics

9. Udey Chand

Chand was the first person to win an individual World Championships medal for independent India and the first athlete to be awarded the Arjun award in 1961 for wrestling. He hails from the district of Hisar, Haryana.

He started his wrestling career with the Indian army and also participated in three Olympics i.e Rome 1960, Tokyo 1964, Mexico City 1968. He made headlines for his efforts during the Mexico Olympics, as he secured the sixth position in the tournament. Between 1958 and 1970 he remained the undisputed national champion.

8. Bishambar Singh

One of the greatest Indian wrestlers and a prominent name in wrestling during the era of the late 1960s, Bishambar Singh was the first and only Indian to win the silver medal at the World Wrestling Championships in 1967. He became a household name when he won the Hind Kesari title in 1962. 

Singh competed in two Olympics (1964, 1968) and for his performance during the Tokyo Olympics of 1964, he received the Arjuna award. After having a great career in wrestling Bishamber took up a job as a Sports Officer in the railways. He was also awarded the Bhishma Pitama award by the Indian Style Wrestling Association of India.

Also Read: List of Indian medalists at World Wrestling Championships

7. Vinesh Phogat

Hailing from a family with a rich history in wrestling, Vinesh Phogat, started wrestling at a very early age taking after her cousins—Geeta Phogat and Babita Kumari—who are renowned names in the world of wrestling. She became the first female Indian wrestler to win a gold medal at both the Commonwealth and Asian Games.

In 2024, Vinesh Phogat followed that up by reaching the gold medal match at the Paris Olympics, but she was heartbreakingly disqualified due to being over-weight. Nonetheless, Vinesh had already scripted history by reaching the final and en route also handing the legendary Yui Susaki of Japan her first international defeat.

Also Read: Top five achievements of Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat

In the year 2019, she also became the first Indian athlete to be nominated for the Laureus World Sports Awards. In her short career, she won won gold medals at the Commonwealth Games, Asian Games and Asian Championships. She has also been awarded the Arjuna award (2016) and Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna (2020).

6. Aman Sehrawat

The youngest Indian to win an Olympic medal, Aman Sehrawat, established his legacy in Indian wrestling folklore by winning the bronze medal at the Paris Olympics 2024. What made it more special was that he was India’s only hope for a medal in men’s wrestling and Sehrawat, who lost both of his parents at the age of 11, didn’t disappoint.

Apart from the historic Olympic bronze in 57kg category, Aman Sehrawat also has bagged an Asian Games bronze and gold medals at the Junior World Championships. Still in his twenties, the wrestler from Jhajjar, Haryana, will aim to bring more wrestling laurels to the country.

5. Bajrang Punia

Another Indian male wrestler to win an Olympic medal, Bajrang Punia, is the only Indian wrestler to win four medals at the World Wrestling Championships. Punia started wrestling at the young age of seven, following in the footsteps of his father, who himself was a wrestler. He started his senior wrestling career at the 2013 Asian Wrestling Championships, where he won a bronze medal.

Later on in his career, managed to win a medal in each of the competitions he participated in. Between the year 2016-18, he won six gold medals at different international competitions. In 2020, Punia joined the elite list of Indian wrestlers to medal at the Olympics by clinching bronze medal. It was special for him, as he suffered an injury just prior to the Tokyo Olympics.

He was also conferred the Arjuna Award (2015), Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna (2019) and Padma Shri (2019).

Also Read: Top five oldest Indian medalists at Olympics

4. Khashaba Dadasaheb Jadhav 

K.D. Jadhav was the first athlete from independent India to win an Olympic medal at the Summer Olympics, achieving the feat in Helsinki in 1952. He won a bronze medal. During his career, he participated at two Olympics in 1948 and 1952.

After he retired from the international arena, he joined Bombay police as a sub-inspector and won several competitions. He also performed national duties as a sports instructor. 

3. Sakshi Malik

Sakshi Malik became the first Indian female wrestler to win an Olympic medal when she won bronze at the 2016 Rio Olympics. Malik started wrestling after getting inspired by her grandfather who was also a wrestler. She began her career in 2010 at the World Junior Championships, where she won a bronze medal in 58kg freestyle wrestling. 

Sakshi competed in different weight categories ranging from 58 to 63kg in different tournaments, where she won lots of medals at the Asian Championships and Commonwealth Games. She has also received the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna (2016) and Padma Shri (2017).

Also Read: Sakshi Malik: Top five achievements of Indian wrestler

2. Yogeshwar Dutt

When he won bronze at the London Olympics, Yogeshwar Dutt became one of just three Indian wrestlers to win an Olympic medal. Dutt won the medal in the 60kg weight category. He was awarded the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna and the Padma Shri by the Indian government.

Dutt participated in various championships during his career, such as the Commonwealth Games and Championships and the Asian Games and Championships. In all those tournaments, he secured top positions and has a gold medal to his name.

Also Read: Yogeshwar Dutt: Top five achievements of the Wrestler

1. Sushil Kumar

Sushil Kumar was the first Indian wrestler after K.D. Jadhav to win an Olympic medal in wrestling. He won consecutive Olympic medals for India at the 2008 Beijing Olympics (bronze) and 2012 London Olympics (silver) respectively to become one of the greatest Indian wrestlers. At the London Olympics, he was also the flagbearer for the country.

He has won several medals for India at different international tournaments, such as the Commonwealth Games, Commonwealth Championships, Asian Championships, and so on, in the weight categories of 66-74kg. Sushil also had the honour of handing over the Queen’s Baton to Prince Charles during the 2010 Commonwealth Games opening ceremony.

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