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Wrestler Deepak Punia Adds Bronze to His Asian Games Collection
Punia earned his second Asian Games medal after a tactical 2-1 win over Mongolia’s Gankhuyag Ganbaatar, adding to India’s fifth overall medal.
On Saturday, October 3, 2026, Indian wrestler Deepak Punia secured a bronze medal in the men's 97kg freestyle category at the 20th Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya.
Punia clinched the podium finish by defeating Mongolia's Gankhuyag Ganbaatar 2-1 in a tactical clash, establishing a 2-0 lead in the opening period before absorbing intense second-period pressure.
The 27-year-old successfully transitioned to the 97kg division after previously winning silver at the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games in the 86kg category, then suffered a narrow 8-9 semifinal loss to Uzbekistan's Sherzod Poyonov.
This victory marks India's fifth-ever medal in the 97kg weight category at the Asian Games, building on historic podium finishes from 1962 and 1966, while Punia's record includes a 2019 World Championships silver.
The bronze is India's third freestyle wrestling medal at these games, following gold medals from Sujeet Kalkal and Aman, reflecting Indian wrestling's growth since Punia began training in Chhara, Haryana.