Wrestling has deep roots in Indian tradition, dating back centuries through the sport of kushti and evolving into international freestyle and Greco-Roman formats. Over the years, Indian wrestlers have risen from muddy akharas to grand Olympic arenas, making the nation proud with their strength, stamina, and skill. The Top 10 Indian Male Wrestlers of All Time represent a rich legacy—one built on sweat, discipline, and a relentless drive to conquer both national and global stages.
From the legendary KD Jadhav, India’s first individual Olympic medallist, to modern icons like Sushil Kumar and Bajrang Punia, these athletes have not only collected medals but also inspired generations. Many have dominated events like the Olympics, Commonwealth Games, Asian Games, and World Championships, making wrestling one of India’s most successful Olympic sports. Their stories are a blend of perseverance, humble beginnings, and unwavering commitment to excellence.
This list of the Top 10 Indian Male Wrestlers celebrates not just their achievements but the impact they’ve had on Indian sports culture. These men have become symbols of national pride, showing the world that Indian wrestling is a force to be reckoned with.
Top 10 Indian Male Wrestlers you must know about :
10. Ghulam Mohammad Baksh
Though not part of modern Olympic competition, Ghulam Mohammad Baksh, famously known as The Great Gama, remains one of the most iconic figures in Indian wrestling history. Born in 1878 in Amritsar, Gama was unbeaten in his entire career, which spanned over five decades. His strength, agility, and unmatched technique earned him global fame during the pre-independence era, including titles like the Rustam-e-Hind and Rustam-e-Zamana.
Gama’s influence extended far beyond the ring. He laid the foundation for India’s traditional wrestling culture and inspired countless youth to take up kushti. His training regimen is legendary—he reportedly performed thousands of squats and pushups daily and practiced in clay pits with mallas (peers) much heavier than himself. Despite never competing in the Olympics, he defeated prominent international wrestlers, including those from Europe and the Middle East.
Even today, Gama is revered as a pioneer, and his name remains synonymous with invincibility and warrior spirit. His legacy is celebrated annually in akharas across the country. As one of the top 10 Indian male wrestlers of all time, The Great Gama represents the roots and raw power of Indian wrestling before it entered the global sporting mainstream.
| Era | Achievement |
| Pre-Olympic | Undefeated globally for over 50 years |
9. Yogeshwar Dutt
Yogeshwar Dutt is one of the most respected figures in Indian wrestling and an essential part of the top 10 Indian male wrestlers of all time. Competing in the 60 kg and 65 kg freestyle categories, Dutt achieved significant success both in Asia and on the world stage. His most iconic moment came at the 2012 London Olympics, where he won the bronze medal in the 60 kg event, becoming only the third Indian wrestler to win an Olympic medal.
Born in Bhainswal Kalan, Haryana, Yogeshwar’s journey in wrestling started at a young age, inspired by the state’s strong akhara culture. He first gained national attention by winning gold at the 2003 Commonwealth Wrestling Championships and later went on to dominate the 2010 Commonwealth Games with a gold medal on home soil in Delhi. He also clinched gold at the 2014 Asian Games, proving his longevity and consistency at the top level.
Known for his attacking style and unmatched stamina, Yogeshwar Dutt has not only brought laurels to India but also mentored young wrestlers after his competitive career. His achievements, leadership, and contributions to the sport make him an undisputed choice among the top 10 Indian male wrestlers.
| Event | Medal |
| 2012 Olympics | Bronze (60 kg) |
8. Rajinder Singh Mor
Rajinder Singh Mor is one of the unsung heroes of Indian wrestling and deserves his place among the top 10 Indian male wrestlers of all time. Competing in the 82 kg freestyle category during the 1970s and 1980s, Mor was known for his commanding mat presence and impeccable technique. He won a gold medal at the 1978 Asian Games in Bangkok and followed it with a dominant performance at the 1978 Commonwealth Games, where he also secured gold.
Born in Haryana, Rajinder Singh Mor emerged during a time when Indian wrestling was transitioning into more structured international formats. His rise was marked by discipline, grit, and technical brilliance, setting the tone for future wrestlers from the region. He also represented India at the 1980 Moscow Olympics, showcasing his skills at the world’s most elite stage.
Mor was honored with the Arjuna Award for his outstanding contribution to Indian wrestling and later served in various administrative and mentoring roles within Indian sports. His legacy lies in bridging the gap between traditional Indian kushti and modern freestyle wrestling. As one of the top 10 Indian male wrestlers, Rajinder Singh Mor’s impact extends beyond medals to shaping the evolution of wrestling in India.
| Event | Medal |
| 1978 Asiad/CWG | Gold in both |
7. Satyawart Kadian
Sushil Kumar is one of the most decorated and influential wrestlers in Indian history and a clear inclusion in the top 10 Indian male wrestlers of all time. He made headlines by winning a bronze medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, and then elevated Indian wrestling to new heights with a silver medal at the 2012 London Olympics in the 66 kg freestyle category. These achievements made him the first Indian to win two individual Olympic medals in wrestling.
Born in Baprola, a village in Delhi, Sushil trained in traditional akharas under strict discipline. His journey from mud pits to the Olympic podium became a source of national pride and inspired thousands of young athletes across the country. In addition to his Olympic feats, Sushil has won gold at the Commonwealth Games (2010 and 2014), silver at the 2011 World Championships, and multiple medals at Asian competitions.
Known for his technical finesse, stamina, and mental toughness, Sushil Kumar has also played a major role in shaping India’s wrestling ecosystem. Despite controversies later in his career, his contributions to the sport remain significant. As part of the top 10 Indian male wrestlers, his legacy is defined by historic wins and inspiring generations of wrestlers nationwide.
| Event | Medal |
| 2008/2012 | Bronze, Silver |
6. Bajrang Punia
Bajrang Punia is one of the brightest stars of modern Indian wrestling and a proud representative in the top 10 Indian male wrestlers of all time. Competing in the 65 kg freestyle category, Bajrang has consistently delivered on the world stage with remarkable performances. His career highlight came at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, where he clinched the bronze medal, adding another Olympic accolade to India’s wrestling legacy.
Born in Khudan village in Haryana, Bajrang was introduced to wrestling at a very young age. His natural agility, technical sharpness, and relentless fighting spirit quickly made him one of the most feared grapplers in his weight category. He has won multiple medals at the World Wrestling Championships, including a silver in 2018 and a bronze in 2019. Bajrang has also bagged gold medals at the 2018 Asian Games and Commonwealth Games, cementing his dominance in Asia.
Known for his explosive attacks and ability to recover from difficult positions, Bajrang is admired for his discipline, humility, and unwavering work ethic. He continues to be a medal contender in every major tournament he enters. As one of the top 10 Indian male wrestlers, Bajrang Punia represents the present and future of Indian wrestling with pride and determination.
| Event | Medal |
| 2020 Olympics | Bronze (65 kg) |
5. Khashaba Dadasaheb Jadhav
Khashaba Dadasaheb Jadhav is a historic figure in Indian sports and an undisputed inclusion in the top 10 Indian male wrestlers of all time. He made history by becoming the first Indian to win an individual Olympic medal in independent India when he claimed bronze at the 1952 Helsinki Olympics in the bantamweight freestyle wrestling category. His achievement laid the foundation for India’s future successes in international wrestling.
Born in Goleshwar village, Maharashtra, Jadhav came from a family steeped in traditional kushti. He trained under local coaches and often competed barefoot, adapting to difficult conditions with extraordinary willpower. Despite limited access to facilities and equipment, he displayed incredible skill and strength, defeating world-class opponents on the Olympic stage.
Jadhav also competed at the 1948 London Olympics and finished sixth, narrowly missing the podium. His Helsinki bronze was India’s first in an individual Olympic event post-independence and remained the only wrestling medal for decades. He later served as a police officer but remained connected to wrestling through coaching and local sports promotion.
Khashaba Jadhav’s pioneering role, Olympic legacy, and unyielding spirit secure his place among the top 10 Indian male wrestlers. His story continues to inspire countless athletes to dream beyond limits.
| Event | Medal |
| 1952 Olympics | Bronze (Bantamweight) |
4. Deepak Punia
Deepak Punia is one of the rising forces in Indian wrestling and a deserving inclusion in the top 10 Indian male wrestlers of all time. Competing in the 86 kg freestyle category, Deepak has quickly risen through the ranks to establish himself as one of the top contenders in international wrestling. His breakthrough came in 2019 when he won a silver medal at the World Wrestling Championships, becoming only the fourth Indian male wrestler to reach a senior World final.
Hailing from Chhara village in Haryana, Deepak began wrestling at a young age, inspired by the state’s rich akhara culture. He honed his skills at the Chhatrasal Stadium in Delhi, where several national champions have trained. In 2018, he won gold at the Junior World Wrestling Championships, highlighting his potential early on. He followed this with a gold at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, further proving his consistency and dominance in his weight class.
Known for his controlled aggression, strong defensive skills, and excellent balance, Deepak has become a mainstay in India’s international wrestling squad. With age on his side and several top-tier performances already under his belt, Deepak Punia continues to raise the bar. His presence in the top 10 Indian male wrestlers symbolizes the future of Indian wrestling at the global level.
| Event | Medal |
| 2019 Worlds | Silver |
3. Kartar Singh
Kartar Singh is one of India’s most successful heavyweight wrestlers and a major figure in the top 10 Indian male wrestlers of all time. Known for his dominance in the 100 kg freestyle category, Kartar Singh made history by winning two gold medals at the Asian Games—first in 1978 in Bangkok and then in 1986 in Seoul. These victories made him one of the few Indian wrestlers to win multiple golds at the continental level, a feat that still stands tall in Indian wrestling history.
Born in Punjab, Kartar Singh began his wrestling journey through the traditional akhara system before transitioning to the international freestyle format. He also had an impressive Commonwealth Games record, winning gold in 1978 and silver in 1982. Kartar represented India at three Olympic Games: 1980 in Moscow, 1984 in Los Angeles, and 1988 in Seoul, showcasing his longevity and consistency on the global stage.
Beyond his competitive career, Kartar Singh served in the Punjab Police and continued to contribute to the sport by mentoring young talent. His strength, experience, and leadership on and off the mat made him a role model for generations of Indian wrestlers. As one of the top 10 Indian male wrestlers, Kartar Singh’s legacy remains unmatched in the heavyweight division.
| Event | Medal |
| 1978/1986 Asiad | Gold |
2. Ravi Kumar Dahiya
Ravi Kumar Dahiya is one of the most technically gifted and composed wrestlers India has ever produced, and he firmly deserves his place among the top 10 Indian male wrestlers of all time. Competing in the 57 kg freestyle category, Ravi burst onto the world stage with a series of consistent performances that culminated in a historic silver medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. His poise, tactical sharpness, and late-match comebacks have earned him praise from wrestling legends worldwide.
Born in Nahri village in Haryana, Ravi trained under renowned coaches at the Chhatrasal Stadium, the cradle of many wrestling champions. He showed early promise with a silver medal at the 2015 Junior World Championships, and then confirmed his elite status by winning bronze at the 2019 World Wrestling Championships, which also qualified him for the Tokyo Olympics.
Ravi followed up his Olympic success with a gold medal at the 2022 Commonwealth Games and multiple medals at the Asian Wrestling Championships. Known for his excellent leg attacks, mental discipline, and aggressive finishing, he continues to be a medal contender at every major tournament he enters.
Among the top 10 Indian male wrestlers, Ravi Kumar Dahiya represents the modern generation’s technical brilliance and global competitiveness.
| Event | Medal |
| 2020 Olympics | Silver (57 kg) |
1. Sushil Kumar
Sushil Kumar stands at the very top of the top 10 Indian male wrestlers of all time, thanks to his unmatched international achievements and enduring impact on Indian wrestling. He is the only Indian wrestler to have won two Olympic medals—bronze at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and silver at the 2012 London Olympics in the 66 kg freestyle category. His performances not only elevated India’s status in the wrestling world but also opened doors for future generations of wrestlers to dream bigger.
Born in Baprola village, Delhi, Sushil trained in traditional akharas and later at Chhatrasal Stadium, known for producing wrestling champions. His journey from humble beginnings to the Olympic podium captured the imagination of the nation. Beyond his Olympic success, he won gold medals at the Commonwealth Games in 2010 and 2014 and silver at the 2011 World Championships, making him one of the most decorated wrestlers in India’s history.
Sushil is known for his refined technique, explosive counters, and tremendous mental strength. While his career saw controversy in later years, his influence on Indian wrestling remains profound. As the most successful Indian male wrestler on the global stage, Sushil Kumar is a symbol of determination, discipline, and wrestling excellence.
| Event | Medal |
| Olympics, CWG | Bronze, Silver, Gold x2 |
FAQs
Q: Who is the most successful athlete among the top 10 Indian male wrestlers?
Sushil Kumar stands out as the most successful athlete among the top 10 Indian male wrestlers, with two Olympic medals—bronze in 2008 and silver in 2012—and several Commonwealth and World Championship podiums.
Q: How many athletes in the top 10 Indian male wrestlers have won Olympic medals?
Among the top 10 Indian male wrestlers, four have won Olympic medals: Khashaba Jadhav (1952 bronze), Sushil Kumar (2008 bronze, 2012 silver), Yogeshwar Dutt (2012 bronze), and Ravi Kumar Dahiya (2020 silver).
Q: Who was the first Olympic medallist among the top 10 Indian male wrestlers?
Khashaba Dadasaheb Jadhav, ranked among the top 10 Indian male wrestlers, was the first to win an Olympic medal for independent India, securing bronze in 1952.
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