New Delhi, April 6 Lalit, the bronze medallist at the U-23 Asian Championships, dominated China's Huoying Shi to reach the men's 55kg Greco-Roman gold medal match at the Asian Wrestling Championships in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, on Monday.
The 23-year-old Lalit defeated Huoying Shi 11-3 in the semifinals.
However, Aman (77kg, Greco-Roman) and former champion Sunil Kumar (87kg, Greco-Roman) lost in their respective semifinals, resulting in a mixed opening day for the Indian contingent.
They will compete for bronze on Tuesday.
Lalit, who won the bronze medal at the Muhamet Malo Wrestling competition last month, will now face 2025 Asian Championships bronze medallist Ikhtiyor Botirov of Uzbekistan after he defeated Ulan Uulu in the second semifinal 5-3.
In the 77kg Greco-Roman semifinal, Aman lost to Zagreb Open old medallist Ali Oskou of Iran 13-3.
The Indian, who had reversed a 1-4 deficit to win 6-4 against China's Halishan Bahejiang in the quarterfinals, will now face Yeonghun Noh of South Korea in the bronze-medal match.
The 2020 Asian champion Sunil Kumar will be aiming for his fourth medal at the continental championship, but it will not be the gold medal after he lost his 87kg bout against Gholamreza Farokhisenjani of Iran 0-8.
In the 65kg Greco-Roman weight category, Sunny Kumar lost in the qualification round against Saifulla Kurman of Kazakhstan and was eliminated.
In the men's 130kg Greco-Roman category, Joginder Rathee lost in the quarterfinals against South Korea's Minseok Kim.
The Korean then lost the semifinal against Mirzazadeh of Iran, ending India's hopes for a repechage round.
Five more Indians — Sahin (60kg), Sachin Sahrawat (67kg), Anil (72kg) and Prince (82kg) and Nitesh (87kg) will be competing on Tuesday, all in the Greco-Roman category.