North India Statesman
Indian wrestling standout Deepak Punia secured his second consecutive Asian Games podium finish by winning the bronze medal in the men’s freestyle 97kg division at the Asian Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya. In a tightly contested, tactical play-off against Mongolia’s Gankhuyag Ganbaatar, the 27-year-old grappler held his ground under relentless late pressure to secure a 2-1 victory. The hard-fought triumph marked a milestone in Punia’s transition up to the heavier 97kg weight class, having previously earned a silver medal in the 86kg category at the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games.
Low-Scoring Thriller: How Punia Defended His Lead
The bronze-medal clash proved to be a defensive test of endurance and positioning. Punia took an early 2-0 advantage in the opening period by capitalizing on technical control and scoring key points against his Mongolian rival. Ganbaatar pushed the tempo during the second period, earning a point to narrow the deficit to 2-1. With the clock winding down and the Mongolian wrestler mounting heavy takedown attempts, Punia showcased disciplined ring awareness, solid leg defense, and stamina to protect his slender one-point lead until the final whistle.
Path Through the 97kg Bracket
Punia began his Nagoya campaign in commanding fashion, registering an emphatic 12-2 victory by technical superiority over China’s Zhou Junpeng in the round of 16. He then secured a spot in the medal rounds after receiving a quarterfinal walkover when Hong Kong’s Li Wui Fung Vincent forfeited the bout. In the semifinals, Punia engaged in an intense, high-scoring contest against Uzbekistan’s Sherzod Poyonov. Despite fighting right to the final seconds, he was edged out in a narrow 8-9 defeat, pushing him into the bronze playoff against Ganbaatar.
India’s Historic Freestyle Campaign at Nagoya
Punia’s bronze medal capped a landmark day for Indian men’s freestyle wrestling at the 2026 Asian Games. His podium finish followed Aman Sehrawat’s gold in the men’s 57kg division and Sujeet Kalkal’s gold in the 65kg category. The bronze is only the fifth medal ever achieved by an Indian wrestler in the men’s 97kg category across Asian Games history, joining the ranks of legends Maruti Mane, Ganpat Andalkar, Bishwanath Singh, and Bhim Singh. Punia’s victory solidifies India’s presence in the upper weight classes on the international wrestling circuit.
