Li Wui Fung Vincent:<\/b> India\u2019s Deepak Punia clinched the bronze medal in the men\u2019s freestyle 97 kg wrestling event at the Asian Games 2026 after defeating Mongolia\u2019s Gankhuyag Ganbaatar by 2-1 in the medal bout here on Saturday.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Deepak, who had won silver in the men\u2019s 86 kg category at the 2023 Asian Games, added another medal to his tally with a composed performance in a cagey, low-scoring contest.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The Indian wrestler secured two early points and managed to hold on to his advantage against Ganbaatar to finish third and add to India\u2019s medal haul in wrestling. Deepak scored two points in the opening period and then defended well despite conceding one in the second to hold on for the win.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Deepak began his campaign with a commanding 12-2 victory over China\u2019s Zhou Junpeng. He then advanced to the semifinals without having to wrestle his quarterfinal, as Hong Kong's Li Wui Fung Vincent failed to appear for the bout.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n
In the semifinal, Deepak was involved in a closely fought contest against Uzbekistan\u2019s Sherzod Poyonov. The Indian fought hard but eventually went down 8-9, sending him into the bronze-medal bout.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n
He bounced back strongly to defeat Ganbaatar and finish the competition on the podium.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Deepak\u2019s bronze is only the fifth medal won by an Indian wrestler in the men\u2019s freestyle 97 kg category at the Asian Games across editions.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n
India\u2019s first medal in the category came through Maruti Mane, who won gold at the 1962 Asian Games. Ganpat Andalkar followed with a silver in the same edition, while Bishwanath Singh won another silver in 1966. Bhim Singh then secured bronze in the 1966 Asian Games.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The bronze also adds to what has been a memorable day for Indian men\u2019s freestyle wrestling at the ongoing Games.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Earlier on Saturday, Aman Sehrawat defeated reigning world champion Han Chong-song of North Korea 11-7 to win gold in the men\u2019s 57 kg category. He became the first Indian to win an Asian Games gold in the 57 kg freestyle division.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Sujeet Kalkal had earlier ended India\u2019s wait for a wrestling gold at the Games by clinching the men\u2019s 65 kg title with a dramatic 10-9 comeback win over Tajikistan\u2019s Abdulmazhid Kudiyev.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n
With Aman and Sujeet winning gold and Deepak securing bronze, India have enjoyed a strong showing in men\u2019s freestyle wrestling in Nagoya.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Sujeet Kalkal had earlier ended India\u2019s wait for a wrestling gold at the Games by clinching the men\u2019s 65 kg title with a dramatic 10-9 comeback win over Tajikistan\u2019s Abdulmazhid Kudiyev.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Also Read: <\/b> Special Cricket Stories<\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n