Asian Games 2023: Wrestler Deepak Punia grabs silver in men's 86kg freestyle

Deepak is the only silver medal winning Indian wrestler in this edition of the Asian Games.

Indian wrestler Deepak Punia faced a formidable challenge in his final bout against Iran's Hassan Yazdanicharati, ultimately securing a well-deserved silver medal in wrestling men's freestyle 86kg at the Hangzhou Asian Games 2023.

In the initial phase of the match, Yazdani swiftly accumulated a total of eight points, leaving Deepak yet to secure his first point. Despite his relentless efforts in the subsequent phases, Deepak remained unable to break through and score a single point. Consequently, the match concluded with a final score of 10-0 in favor of Yazdani, via technical superiority.

Earlier in the day, Deepak encountered Riandesta Randa from Indonesia in the quarterfinals. He exhibited remarkable skill and dominance, securing a resounding victory over his opponent with a score of 11-0, achieving technical superiority. In his subsequent match against Shota Shirai from Japan, Deepak once again showcased his prowess, triumphing with a score of 7-3.

Before advancing to the semifinal round, Deepak faced Bahrain’s Magomed Sharipov in the qualification round. In a fiercely contested match, Deepak emerged victorious, securing a total of 3-2 points.

In the semifinal round, Deepak faced off against Javrail Shapiev of Uzbekistan. The highly competitive match extended to the final moments, with both wrestlers fighting valiantly. Deepak displayed consistent dominance throughout the bout, ultimately securing the win and securing his place in the final.

However, the day did not yield the desired results for other Indian wrestlers, namely Yash, Vicky, and Sumit, as they lost their respective bouts, missing out on an opportunity to secure medals for the country.

Deepak's accomplishment of securing the silver medal marks a significant milestone for Indian wrestling, representing the first second-place finish by an Indian wrestler in the ongoing Asian Games.

Before this remarkable feat, India’s Sunil Kumar, Antim Panghal, Sonam Malik, Kiran Bishnoi, and Aman Sehrawat had already secured bronze medals at the Asian Games 2023. This collective success underscores India's growing prominence in the world of wrestling at the international stage.