Katikati Wrestler Suraj Singh Eyes 2028 Olympics After Singapore Gold

Katikati kiwifruit grower and freestyle wrestler Suraj Singh claimed gold in the Under-61kg division at the 2025 Southeast Asian & Invitation Wrestling Championship in Singapore on 11 May, but the 26-year-old is already looking well beyond that achievement. For Singh, the win was simply another step on the road to representing New Zealand at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles — "that's the ultimate goal," he said.

Singh received the invitation to compete at short notice, with an email arriving on 16 April giving him just weeks to prepare rather than the three months he would normally expect. He trained full-time from that point under coach Ross Tanner, with morning one-on-one mat sessions focused on technique, a gym session during the day, and an afternoon training session. He paid around $3,000 out of his own pocket to travel to Singapore with his family, where he was guided by NZ national coach Moshen Lack.

He won four matches across the tournament — against two Singaporean competitors (both by pin), a Malaysian (by technical fall), and a Cambodian (by points across two rounds). Singh said the Cambodian opponent "gave me a little bit of trouble" and finished second with silver. To qualify for the Olympics, Singh must first become national champion in his division, then compete through Oceania and place in the top two against competitors from across the Pacific islands and Africa.

Singh has been wrestling since he was 12 at the Katikati club and openly admits he can't stay away from the sport. He previously won two gold medals at the 2019 Oceania Championships, represented New Zealand at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham where he took bronze in the 57kg division, and narrowly missed selection for the most recent Olympics. Olympic trials for Los Angeles 2028 are scheduled for 2027.

Originally published in Katikati News (Sun Media).