One of the biggest competitions for the Indian amateur wrestlers this year is the Asian Wrestling Championship, starting on Wednesday, May 10, in New Delhi.
Bronze medallist at 2016 Rio Olympics Sakshi Malik remains the star attraction of the Asian Associated Wrestling Committee (AAWC) organised annual event. Besides Sakshi, the likes of Ritu Phogat and Vinesh Phogat remain the key attractions for India in the women's wrestling event.
"This is the first international tournament I will be competing in after the Olympics and I am confident of my training and preparation while coming into this event," mentioned Sakshi ahead of the tournament.
"Participating at the championships is also going to be an experience that I look forward to and I know I am carrying the expectations of many post the medal at Rio.
"I know I am going to be giving this my best and I look forward to aiming for another medal, this time at home," Sakshi, who recently got married to Satyavrat Kadian, added.
Among the male wrestlers, Sandeep Tomar and Bajrang Punia remain the big names.
Asian Wrestling Championship 2017: All you need to know
Dates: May 10-May 14.
Teams participating: Iran, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Japan, Korea, China, India, Mongolia.
Venue: KD Jadhav Indoor Stadium, New Delhi.
Key names missing: Yogeshwar Dutt, Sushil Kumar, Geeta Phogat, Babita Phogat.
Indian wrestlers participating
| Name | Weight division | |
| Men's freestyle | Sandeep Tomar | 57 kg |
| Harful | 61 kg | |
| Bajrang Bhunia | 65 kg | |
| Vinod | 70 kg | |
| Jitender | 74 kg | |
| Somveer | 86 kg | |
| Satyavrat Kadian | 97 kg | |
| Sumit | 125 kg | |
| Men's greco-roman | Gyanender | 59 kg |
| Ravinder | 66 kg | |
| Deepak | 71 kg | |
| Gurpreet | 75 kg | |
| Harpreet | 80 kg | |
| Anil Kumar | 85 kg | |
| Hardeep | 98 kg | |
| Naveen | 130 kg | |
| Women's wrestling | Ritu Phogat | 48 kg |
| Pinki | 53 kg | |
| Vinesh Phogat | 55 kg | |
| Sakshi Malik | 58 kg | |
| Sarita | 60 kg | |
| Ritu Malik | 63 kg | |
| Divya Kakran | 69 kg | |
| Jyoti | 75 kg |
Competition history (Total titles)
| Most successful team | India (in comparison) | |
| Men's Freestyle Wrestling | Iran (24 titles) | 1 title |
| Men's Greco Roman Wrestling | Iran, South Korea (10 titles) | None |
| Women's Wrestling | Japan (12 titles) | None |
