Satinder Kumar, who represented India at the recent Asian Judo Championship, was found murdered in his room at the Sports Authority of India hostel in Hisar, a district of Haryana, on Monday.
His head was badly smashed with some sharp weapons, police said, adding that the crime was noticed in the morning after other residents opened the door when there was no response to their calls.
The body has been shifted to the local Civil Hospital.
Satinder's parents in his native village, Kheri Sansanwal in Bhiwani district, have been informed about the incident.
The deceased was a gold medalist in the Junior National Championship and adjudged best player of the state on three occasions.