Asian Games 2026: Deepak Punia Ends 60-Year Wait with Historic Men’s 97kg Freestyle Bronze

Indian wrestling star Deepak Punia scripted history at the 2026 Asian Games, winning the bronze medal in the Men’s 97kg freestyle category and ending a 60-year wait for India in the weight class.

Punia’s podium finish marks India’s first Asian Games medal in Men’s 97kg freestyle since Bhim Singh won bronze at the 1966 Bangkok Games.

Iran’s Kamran Ghasempour claimed the gold medal, while Uzbekistan’s Sherzod Poyonov took silver. Punia shared the bronze podium with China’s Awusayiman Habila.

The medal is Punia’s second Asian Games medal, following his silver-medal performance in the 86kg category at the Hangzhou Asian Games.

India’s Six-Medal Wrestling Campaign
Punia’s bronze completed a remarkable wrestling campaign for India, with the Indian contingent collecting six medals — two gold, two silver and two bronze.

Aman Sehrawat defeated DPR Korea’s Han Chong-song 11–7 to win the 57kg freestyle gold, while Sujeet Kalkal produced a dramatic 10–9 comeback victory over Tajikistan’s Abdulmazhid Kudiev in the 65kg final.
Nitesh Siwach’s silver was noted as India’s first Asian Games silver in Greco-Roman wrestling since 1962. Meanwhile, Sunil Kumar became the first Indian Greco-Roman wrestler to win two career Asian Games medals.

Deepak Punia’s historic bronze therefore capped a six-medal wrestling campaign that matched India’s best overall Asian Games wrestling medal haul since Jakarta 1962.