The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) has announced a significant overhaul of its coaching structure, bringing in international expertise to elevate the performance of its athletes. As reported by UNI on April 23, 2026, the federation has appointed Georgia's Emzarios Bentinidis as the men's freestyle coach, Japan's Kosei Akaishi for women's wrestling, and Russia's Gogi Koguashvili for men's Greco-Roman. Additionally, American Ian Butler has been named as the High-Performance Director. These foreign experts are scheduled to assume their roles next month, marking a concerted effort to build a robust system for long-term success in international wrestling competitions.
This strategic move by the WFI underscores a commitment to sustained excellence, building upon India's consistent record of securing Olympic medals since 2008 and a strong showing at the recent Asian Wrestling Championships in Bishkek, where the contingent secured 17 medals. WFI President Sanjay Singh highlighted the significance of these appointments, stating, “These appointments mark a significant milestone in Indian wrestling. By bringing in international expertise and establishing a dedicated high-performance leadership structure, we are building a system that supports our athletes at every level. Our goal is not only to win medals but to create a sustainable pathway for long-term excellence.” The new coaching team brings a wealth of experience, with Bentinidis having previously worked with top freestyle wrestlers, Koguashvili being a five-time world champion and former head coach of Russia's Greco-Roman team, and Akaishi having a successful track record with Japan's national team, including at the Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Olympics.
The appointed coaches and director will work closely with the national squad, with the coaching camps currently underway at SAI's Regional Centre in Lucknow. Their immediate focus will be on preparing the athletes for the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, and subsequently for the 2028 Olympic Games. The WFI is optimistic that this infusion of international coaching talent will help India surpass its previous medal tallies at the Asian Games, where the country has secured 65 medals to date, including 11 golds. The aim is to significantly increase India's medal count in wrestling at the upcoming games, reflecting the nation's growing prowess in the sport and providing a crucial developmental pathway for aspiring wrestlers across the country.