President Droupadi Murmu on Saturday, 3 October 2026, congratulated Indian wrestlers Aman Sehrawat and Deepak Punia on their medal-winning performances at the Asian Games 2026, calling their achievements an inspiration for the next generation of Indian wrestlers. Both athletes delivered standout performances — Aman claiming gold and Deepak ending a six-decade wait for India in his weight category.

Aman Sehrawat's Golden Run

Aman Sehrawat defeated reigning world champion Han Chong-song of North Korea 11-7 in a thrilling final to become the first Indian to win an Asian Games gold in the men's freestyle 57 kg category. The 23-year-old had earlier mounted a remarkable comeback in the semifinal, recovering from a 2-6 deficit against Tajikistan's Aiaal Belolyubskii to win 14-8.

Aman had opened his campaign with a 20-9 technical superiority victory over Japan's Yamato Ogawa, before beating Kazakhstan's Nurdanat Aitanov 12-1 in the quarterfinals. His gold-medal run was defined by consistent dominance and a resilient semifinal turnaround.

President Murmu posted on X: 'Heartiest congratulations to you, Aman Sehrawat, on winning the Gold Medal in the Men's Freestyle 57 kg category in Wrestling at the Asian Games 2026. You have fought your way to the top and claimed the highest honour in your category. Your golden performance will inspire many young wrestlers across the country to pursue excellence.'

Deepak Punia Ends a Six-Decade Drought

Deepak Punia secured bronze in the men's freestyle 97 kg category, defeating Mongolia's Gankhuyag Ganbaatar in the bronze-medal bout after a narrow 8-9 semifinal loss to Uzbekistan's Sherzod Poyonov. Earlier in the tournament, he beat China's Zhou Junpeng 12-2 before advancing to the quarterfinals via forfeit.

President Murmu noted in her post: 'Your spectacular performance has brought India a medal in this weight category after six decades. May this historic achievement inspire a new generation of wrestlers to dream big and strive for excellence.'

The medal is Deepak's second Asian Games podium, following the silver he won in the men's 86 kg category at the 2023 Hangzhou Games. The last time India had won a medal in the men's freestyle 97 kg category was at the 1966 Asian Games, where Bishwanath Singh and Bhim Singh claimed silver and bronze respectively. Going further back, Maruti Mane had won gold and Ganpat Andalkar had taken silver in the same category at the 1962 Asian Games.

Historical Context and What It Means for Indian Wrestling

India's performance in wrestling at the Asian Games 2026 underscores a broader resurgence in the sport. Aman's victory is especially significant — he overcame the reigning world champion, a feat that signals Indian wrestling's competitive parity at the continental level. Deepak's bronze, meanwhile, closes a generational gap in the heavier weight categories, where India had long been absent from the podium.

This comes amid a period of heightened attention on Indian wrestling, with the sport undergoing institutional and developmental changes. Both performances are expected to boost participation and government investment in wrestling infrastructure in the near term.

President's Acknowledgement

President Murmu's messages, posted on X, reflect the national significance attached to the victories. Her congratulations drew wide attention, with both posts emphasising the inspirational value of the athletes' performances for aspiring wrestlers across India.

With the Asian Games 2026 still ongoing, India's wrestling contingent will be closely watched for further podium finishes in remaining weight categories.