Nitesh makes India's first Greco final in 64 years
India has not had a Greco-Roman finalist at the Asian Games since 1962, and Nitesh just ended that. Plus a U23 World Team swap and the end of Massoma Endene's NCAA career.
The one that matters
Nitesh reaches Asian Games Greco final, India's first in 64 years
India's Nitesh is into the Greco-Roman final at the Asian Games, United World Wrestling announced. UWW says it is the first time an Indian has reached a Greco final at the Games in 64 years. India's international pedigree runs through freestyle, so a Greco finalist is the outlier.
Why it matters: A Greco medal would be India's first continental breakthrough in the style in decades.
- Nitesh's gold medal match at the Asian Games
Portal, commits and coaches
Singleton out with injury, Sealey takes 79kg U23 spot
Matty Singleton withdrew from the U23 World Championships with an injury, and Penn State's Joe Sealey fills the 79kg spot, per Justin Basch. Basch lists Sealey as a U17 World champion. Basch's updated roster has Lilledahl, Bassett, Williams, Sealey and Rademacher starting Saturday the 17th, with Davino, James, Sinclair, Shumate and Merrill going Friday the 16th.
Why it matters: A senior-level international roster spot at 79kg changes hands with men's freestyle set to start in about two weeks.
- Men's freestyle U23 Worlds start Friday the 16th and Saturday the 17th, per Basch
Massoma Endene out of NCAA eligibility, turns to freestyle
Three-time NCAA Division III champion Massoma Endene is officially out of NCAA eligibility, per Justin Basch. The former Hawkeye transferred to Little Rock earlier this year hoping for one final season and will not have any eligibility left to use. He stays in Little Rock and competes on the freestyle circuit.
Why it matters: Little Rock loses a three-time national champion from its lineup before he ever wrestled one.