Sanya, China, April 29, 2026: India’s women wrestlers made a resounding statement at the 6th Asian Beach Games on Wednesday, securing two gold medals in a dominant display of skill and grit.
While India led the charge, the competition also highlighted the sport's growing reach in the region, with China and a resurgent Sri Lanka also clinching top honours.
The Indian campaign saw a mix of technical brilliance and drama. Following the disappointment of teammate Prajapat Priyanshi being forced to withdraw from her bronze medal match due to injury, Pushpa revitalized the Indian camp. Facing China’s Xie Mengyu, Pushpa displayed superior balance and explosive power. Leading 2-0 with two minutes remaining, she closed out a clinical 3-0 victory in a mere 20 seconds.
In a weight class, +70kg, where India has historically struggled, Priya showed extraordinary mental resilience. Trailing 2-1 against Mongolia’s Zorigt Bolortungalag with only seconds on the clock, Priya executed a high-pressure takedown to level the score and ultimately secure a thrilling 3-2 comeback win.
The tournament also celebrated significant milestones for China and Sri Lanka. Competing in the 70kg final, Long Jia secured a swift and decisive 4-0 victory over Vietnam’s Dang Thi Linh. A successful video review confirmed a clean throw, underscoring the host nation’s technical prowess.
In perhaps the biggest surprise of the games, Hewa Pedige claimed gold in the highly competitive 50kg lightweight category. A traditional indoor wrestler, Pedige’s transition to the sand was seamless following six months of dedicated preparation. This victory marks Sri Lanka’s first international gold in the discipline. Pedige said: “This is my first international medal, and it is a gold medal, so I am very happy with my performance.”
Indian coach Virender Singh said the team was happy. But they wished one gold could have come from the men’s section. “However, we must rectify the errors and get back into hard training now for the Asian Games.”
The diversification of the medal table reflects the Olympic Council of Asia’s broader mission to expand the footprint of beach sports. With established powerhouses like India and China sharing the podium with rising nations like Sri Lanka, the 6th Asian Beach Games have successfully demonstrated the deepening talent pool across the continent.