Deepak Punia claims 92kg gold as Senior Open Ranking Wrestling freestyle concludes in Gonda
Synopsis
Deepak Punia's 92kg freestyle gold at Gonda marks a commanding performance in the Senior Open Ranking Tournament, where 593 wrestlers competed across weight classes. With freestyle concluded, the Greco-Roman stage is now set, featuring semifinal clashes in 82kg, 87kg, 97kg, and 130kg divisions.
Key Takeaways
Deepak Punia (Haryana) won 92kg freestyle gold at the Senior Open Ranking Tournament 2026 in Gonda , 11 May .
A total of 593 wrestlers competed across ten freestyle weight categories in the national ranking event.
Sagar (57kg), Abhishek (61kg), Sawan Satish (65kg), Anuj Kumar (70kg), Yash (74kg), Naveen (79kg), Deepak (86kg), Prthivraj (97kg), and Shubham Dhil (125kg) also secured gold medals.
Greco-Roman matches are now underway, with semifinals confirmed in 82kg, 87kg, 97kg, and 130kg divisions.
WFI President Sanjay Singh praised the tournament's high calibre and depth of domestic wrestlers.
Deepak Punia (Haryana) secured the 92kg freestyle gold medal and top national ranking at the Senior Open Ranking Tournament 2026, held at Nandininagar Mahavidyalaya in Gonda, Uttar Pradesh, on 11 May. The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) concluded the men's freestyle events on Monday, with 593 wrestlers competing across designated weight categories in the national ranking competition.
Punia's path to gold
Punia advanced to the final following a semifinal victory over Raja (Haryana), then defeated Vansh (Haryana) in the gold medal bout to claim the top ranking in the 92kg division. His performance was highlighted as a standout at the tournament.
Freestyle results across weight classes
The tournament saw decisive winners across ten freestyle categories. In the 57kg division, Sagar took gold ahead of Rupesh, with Lakshay and Sahil securing bronze. Abhishek dominated the 61kg category, defeating Bhuvanesh for gold. Sawan Satish claimed the 65kg title, while Anuj Kumar won the 70kg gold. Yash secured the 74kg crown, Naveen topped the 79kg field, and Deepak (distinct from Punia) won the 86kg gold. In the heavier divisions, Prthivraj won 97kg gold and Shubham Dhil claimed the 125kg title.
Greco-Roman stage set
As the tournament transitioned to Greco-Roman wrestling, several athletes secured crucial semifinal positions. In the 82kg division, Umesh advanced from quarterfinals to the semifinals. The 87kg category saw Sagar, Manoj Kumar, Manav Sharma, and Tejpal win their respective quarterfinal bouts to lock in the final four. In heavier weight classes, Abhimanu and Ashish confirmed their places in the 97kg final, while Mehar Singh progressed to the 130kg tournament final.
WFI President's assessment
Sanjay Singh, President of the Wrestling Federation of India, commended the tournament's calibre.
Point of View
Though Punia's 92kg victory stands out as the marquee performance of the freestyle segment. With Greco-Roman now in full swing and semifinals locked in for the heavier divisions, the tournament is shaping up to test India's pipeline across both styles — a critical indicator of domestic wrestling health ahead of major international competitions.
NationPress
12 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the 92kg freestyle gold at the Senior Open Ranking Tournament 2026?
Deepak Punia from Haryana won the 92kg freestyle gold medal and secured the top national ranking in that weight class. He defeated Vansh (Haryana) in the final.
How many wrestlers participated in the Senior Open Ranking Tournament 2026?
A total of 593 wrestlers competed across various designated weight categories in the national ranking competition held at Nandininagar Mahavidyalaya in Gonda.
Which weight classes have completed their freestyle finals?
All ten freestyle weight classes have concluded their finals: 57kg, 61kg, 65kg, 70kg, 74kg, 79kg, 86kg, 92kg, 97kg, and 125kg. Gold medalists have been crowned in each division.
What is the next stage of the tournament?
The tournament has transitioned to Greco-Roman wrestling, with athletes competing in quarterfinals and semifinals. Semifinals are confirmed in the 82kg, 87kg, 97kg, and 130kg divisions, with finals to follow.
Where was the Senior Open Ranking Tournament 2026 held?
The tournament was held at Nandininagar Mahavidyalaya in Gonda, Uttar Pradesh, on 11 May 2026.
