Archive · 10 Oct 2026
Coach Says Indian Wrestlers Have 60 Percent Potential Remaining
India’s freestyle wrestlers won three medals at the 2026 Asian Games.
Aman Sehrawat and Sujeet Kalkal won gold medals.
Deepak Punia won bronze even though he wrestled in a heavier weight class than usual.
Sagar Jaglan beat an Olympic champion but did not win his medal match.
Coach Bentinidis Shako said the wrestlers have strong skills but need to feel more confident.
He thinks they are using only about 40 percent of what they can do.
Shako believes Sujeet could do well at the next World Championships.
He wants Aman to rest and prepare for future competitions.
The coach also wants India to earn Olympic qualifying spots early for the 2028 Games.
India’s men’s freestyle wrestlers won three of the team’s six medals at the 2026 Asian Games.
Aman Sehrawat and Sujeet Kalkal won gold, while Deepak Punia earned bronze competing above his usual weight class.
Sagar Jaglan beat reigning Olympic champion Razambek Jamalov but lost his bronze-medal bout.
Coach Bentinidis Shako said the wrestlers need to improve their mindset and believes they are using about 40 percent of their potential.
Shako said Sujeet may compete at the 2026 World Championships, while Aman should rest and focus on qualification opportunities.
- Who
- India’s men’s freestyle wrestlers and coach Bentinidis Shako.
- What
- The team’s Asian Games performance and Shako’s assessment of the wrestlers’ potential and preparations.
- When
- The interview followed the 2026 Asian Games; the World Championships are also scheduled for 2026.
- Where
- The 2026 Asian Games; the article does not specify a location for the interview.
- Why
- Shako said improved mindset could help Indian wrestlers perform better, win more medals and prepare for Olympic qualification.
- Asian Games team medals
- India won two gold, two silver and two bronze medals overall.
- Freestyle medals
- Three of five men’s freestyle wrestlers medalled: two gold and one bronze.
- Gold medallists
- Aman Sehrawat (57 kg) and Sujeet Kalkal (65 kg).
- Bronze medallist
- Deepak Punia (97 kg), competing outside his natural weight category.
- Sagar Jaglan
- Defeated reigning Olympic champion Razambek Jamalov in repechage, then lost the bronze-medal match.
- Coach’s assessment
- Shako said Indian wrestlers are at about 40 percent of their potential.
- Olympic target
- Shako wants India to secure available qualification quotas at the 2027 World Championships.