Deepak Punia snatched the bronze in the men's 97kg freestyle at the Asian Games 2026, edging Mongolia’s Gankhuyag Ganbaatar 2‑1 in a tight Saturday bout.
Punia opened fire, scoring two points in the first period to lead 2‑0. Ganbaatar clawed back a single point in the second half, but Punia’s solid defense held firm and preserved the margin.
This medal marks Punia’s second Asian Games podium, following a silver in the 86kg event at Hangzhou 2022. On the same day, teammate Aman Sehrawat lifted gold in the 57kg category, beating DPR Korea’s Han Chong Song 11‑7.
India’s wrestling squad now boasts three medals from the Games—gold, silver, and bronze—solidifying the country’s reputation on the continental stage.