WFI Brings in Foreign Coaches to Boost National Camp Ahead of Asian Games and Olympics

New Delhi- In a major strategic move ahead of upcoming global events, the Wrestling Federation of India has appointed four foreign coaches to train the national team, aiming to strengthen preparations for the 2026 Asian Games and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. The decision marks a shift towards centralised training, with greater emphasis on national camps rather than individual overseas coaching arrangements.

Among the key appointments is Georgian coach Emzarios Bentinidis, known for previously training Olympic medallist Bajrang Punia. Bentinidis will take charge of the freestyle wrestling team. For the Greco-Roman discipline, Russia’s Gogi Koguashvili, an Olympic medallist and multiple-time world champion, has been brought in. The women’s team will be guided by Japan’s Kosei Akaishi, while American expert Ian Butler has been appointed as high-performance director.

The move comes as Indian wrestlers increasingly preferred training abroad with personal coaches in recent years, especially in destinations like Japan and Dagestan. By hiring foreign experts within the system, authorities aim to bring top-level coaching to India while ensuring athletes remain part of national camps, allowing closer monitoring of fitness, injuries, and performance.

The coaches were finalised following discussions between WFI and the Sports Authority of India. Each coach is expected to receive a monthly salary of around $7,000. Officials believe that this approach will improve coordination and consistency in training programmes, which had previously been fragmented due to independent training schedules.

This decision also signals a policy shift from relying primarily on domestic coaches in recent years. Ahead of the Tokyo Olympics, WFI had experimented with foreign coaching staff, but results were mixed. However, with renewed focus and better integration into the national setup, the federation is optimistic about improved outcomes this time.

Bentinidis is expected to be among the first to join the camp, with the remaining coaches likely to follow soon. To address communication challenges, especially with the Japanese coach, a translator will be appointed, while the high-performance director will help coordinate between different coaching units.

The renewed emphasis on structured national camps is expected to play a crucial role in India’s wrestling preparations as the country eyes stronger performances on the international stage.