Mandwal bettered multiple Worlds medallist and last year’s Asian champion Ernazar Akamataliev of Mongolia during his run to the bronze at the Asian Championships. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

After underscoring his talent as the Asian champion in 70kg, freestyle wrestler Abhimanyou Mandwal is keen to be consistent like his former roommate, Olympic silver medallist Ravi Dahiya, and shine in bigger competitions including the Olympics.

Mandwal, who had claimed a bronze in the Asian Championships and became the Asian under-23 champion two years back, suffered a major ankle injury before bouncing back.

“My left ankle was broken. I couldn’t compete in the 2024 and 2025 World Championships. It was really bad, my bone was cracked. I did rehab in JSW, mentally prepared myself. It was challenging, it took me a year to recover,” Mandwal told Sportstar.

Mandwal, hailing from a wrestlers’ family of Shamsukh village in Hisar district of Haryana, fought back with determination. “I won gold medals in the National Championships last year and the Zagreb Open Ranking Series in February. In the Pro Wrestling League (PWL), I learnt about my weaknesses and how much power and stamina I needed.

“The Asian Championships was good. The semifinal bout (against Olympian, multiple Worlds medallist and last year’s Asian champion Mongolian Ernazar Akamataliev) was the toughest. I considered myself better than him. He came from 65kg and I aim at competing in 74kg.”

The 24-year-old Mandwal, who was enrolled at the famous Chhatrasal Stadium in Delhi by his uncle in 2012 (a year after his father’s death), acknowledged the influence of different coaches, including current coach Lalit Kumar, and his role model Ravi in his growth. “They take good care of young wrestlers. I used to live with Ravi before he shifted to a new house. I learnt a lot from him. I liked his consistency and mindset.”

Looking to switch to an Olympic weight, 74kg, Mandwal understands that he needs to decide wisely as the World Championships and the Asian Games are scheduled close to each other this year. “The World Championships has 70kg, but the Asian Games has 74kg. I’ll have to keep all factors in mind when I plan. The main goal is the (2028) Olympics and there’s enough time to prepare for that,” said Mandwal.

Published on Apr 16, 2026