Kurash Wrestling Explained
India’s Pincky Balhara has secured at least a bronze medal in the women’s under-78kg Kurash event at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. Balhara defeated South Korea’s Lim Garam 3-0 in the quarterfinals on Monday to reach the semifinals.
The victory guarantees India its third-ever Asian Games medal in Kurash. Balhara had previously won a silver medal at the 2018 Asian Games. She was eliminated in the quarterfinals at the 2022 Hangzhou Games and has now returned to the medal rounds.
Kurash is a traditional martial art from Central Asia, particularly associated with Uzbekistan. It is a form of jacket wrestling in which athletes attempt to throw their opponents onto the mat.
Unlike some other wrestling disciplines, Kurash is primarily focused on standing throws rather than ground fighting. Competitors wear a traditional jacket known as a yakhtak and compete barefoot on a mat.
The sport has its own scoring system based mainly on the quality and effectiveness of throws. A successful throw can earn different scores depending on its execution, with Khalol representing the highest-level throw that can end the contest.
Other scoring categories include Yonbosh, awarded for a strong throw that does not meet the requirements for Khalol, and Chala, which is given for a lesser-quality throw.
Kurash matches also have rules governing how the contest proceeds if neither athlete establishes a decisive advantage. The sport requires competitors to remain active and attempt effective throws rather than relying on prolonged ground exchanges.
Kurash made its Asian Games debut at the 2018 edition, where Balhara won India’s first medal in the sport. Her latest semifinal qualification now gives India another medal in the discipline.
Before Balhara’s result, India had won 37 medals at the 2026 Asian Games, comprising four gold, 16 silver and 17 bronze medals.
Balhara’s progress adds another medal opportunity to India’s campaign in Aichi-Nagoya. She will now compete in the semifinal, with the possibility of advancing to the gold-medal bout.