Deepak Punia Wins Bronze Medal in 97kg Freestyle Wrestling At Asian Games

Indian grappler Deepak Punia secured the bronze medal in the men's freestyle 97kg category at the Asian Games on Saturday, October 3rd.

Competing against Mongolia's Ganbaatar Gankhuyag, Punia engaged in a fiercely fought tactical battle. After establishing a solid 2-0 lead in the opening period, Deepak absorbed intense pressure in the second period as Gankhuyag fought back with a point.

Displaying immense grit and defensive resilience, Punia held his ground to clinch a narrow 2-1 victory, sealing a well-deserved podium finish for India.

Deepak Punia’s latest 97kg bronze marks India’s fifth-ever medal in this weight category at the Asian Games, adding to historic podium finishes from 1962 and 1966.

Know Your Athlete

Deepak Punia’s wrestling roots go back to the age of five, in the mud akhadas of Chhara, Haryana, where his coach was Virender Singh. Growing up in a wrestling family, his father being a former wrestler and a dairy farmer, Deepak thrived in local dangals, which helped him and his family financially.

His talent came to fore in school and national competitions, and he made his way to the famous Chhatrasal Stadium in New Delhi. This transition from the mud pits to the international arena was difficult, but Deepak proved his mettle on the global platform.

Though he came close to winning a medal in the 2021 Olympics, this only strengthened his resolve, resulting in him winning a silver medal at the Asian Games in 2023. It now remains to be seen whether Deepak can convert his latest silver medal into gold.