Sunil Kumar created history by becoming the first Indian Greco-Roman wrestler to win two Asian Games medals after securing a bronze in the men's 87kg category at the Asian Games here on Wednesday.
The 27-year-old Haryana wrestler defeated the Philippines' Roberts Callum Johnston by technical superiority to add another bronze to the medal he won at the 2023 Hangzhou Games.
His latest podium finish came on the opening day of the wrestling competition.
Sunil Kumar Wins Back-to-Back Asian Games Medals
Sunil started the bronze medal bout aggressively, locking Johnston's right arm and executing two takedowns to race to a 4-0 lead.
The Filipino wrestler struggled to make an impact as Sunil continued to dominate from the Par Terre position. The Indian produced more scoring moves and finished the contest in the opening period through technical superiority.
After the win Sunil exclaimed his thoughts. "I am happy but not satisfied because I already have a bronze medal at Asian Games. I made a mistake against the Japanese and paid the price. I used strength more than technique," Sunil told.
"Coach Hargobind had studied my opponents well and we followed a strategy. Credit to him. I will now try to qualify for the Los Angeles Olympics through the Asian Qualifier," he added.
Sunil had ended a 13-year wait for India for a Greco-Roman wrestling medal at the Hangzhou Asian Games, where he won bronze. Before that, Ravinder Singh and Sunil Kumar Rana had claimed bronze medals at the 2010 Guangzhou Games.
The Indian had to settle for a bronze medal bout after losing his semifinal against Japan's Taizo Yoshida by technical superiority.
Earlier, Sunil had begun his campaign with a convincing technical superiority victory over Tajikistan's Muhammad Sultonzoda.
Asmita Dey Misses Out On Judo Medal
India's Ashmita Dey, meanwhile, missed out on a medal after losing her women's 48kg bronze medal bout to Mongolia's Narantsetseg Ganbaatar.
The reigning Commonwealth Games champion was defeated by Waza in the bronze medal contest, ending her Asian Games campaign without a podium finish.
In judo, Waza refers to a technique or scoring action and forms one of the fundamental elements of the sport. It can involve throwing techniques as well as grappling and groundwork.
Ashmita had reached the bronze medal contest after defeating Hong Kong China's Ka Lee Wong in the repechage round. She won the contest through Yoko after a 4-0 golden-score battle.
Earlier, Ashmita had defeated Vietnam's Ngoc Chi Ha by Ippon in the round of 16. She then lost to Kazakhstan's Abiba Abuzhakynova by Ippon in the quarterfinals.
Ippon is awarded for a decisive technique, including a throw executed with considerable force and speed that causes the opponent to land on their back.
While Sunil added another medal to India's wrestling tally, Ashmita's defeat meant she returned empty-handed from the judo competition.