Wrestling Dominance: Punia Hits Semis as Panghal, Bhanwala Advance
Deepak Punia reaches semifinals while Antim Panghal and Manisha Bhanwala advance to quarterfinals at the Asian Games 2026.
India's wrestling campaign at the Asian Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, reached new heights on Saturday as standout performers secured crucial victories to move deeper into the competition. While Deepak Punia surged into the semifinals, teammates Antim Panghal and Manisha Bhanwala ensured their spots in the quarterfinals through commanding displays on the mat.
Wrestling Powerhouse: Punia and the Women's Stars
In the men's freestyle 97kg category, Deepak Punia showcased his technical prowess. He faced China's Zhou Junpeng in the pre-quarterfinals, establishing an early 6-2 lead in the first period. Punia maintained total control in the second period, finishing with a 6-0 run to secure a 10-2 victory via technical superiority. His momentum continued as he advanced directly to the semifinals after his scheduled quarterfinal opponent, Li Vincent of Hong Kong China, forfeited the bout.
The women's wrestlers were equally impressive in their respective categories:
- Antim Panghal: Competing in the 53kg category, Panghal delivered a clinical performance against Kazakhstan's Shugyla Omirbek, winning 9-0 to book her place in the last eight.
- Manisha Bhanwala: In the 57kg division, Bhanwala dominated South Korea's Kwon Youngjin, securing an 8-0 victory by fall. She is set to face Japan's Akari Fujin in the quarterfinals.
- Sagar Jaglan: Moving into the quarterfinals of the men's freestyle 74kg category, Jaglan defeated Mongolia's Tulga Tumur-Ochir with an 8-1 scoreline.
Mixed Results in Rugby and Taekwondo
While the wrestling squad thrived, other disciplines saw varied fortunes. India's women's rugby sevens team secured a victory in their first classification match, defeating Singapore 22-5. They are now scheduled to face Kazakhstan in their next encounter to determine their final standing.
However, the taekwondo campaign faced an early exit. Both Kashish Malik and Jyoti Yadav suffered defeats in the round of 16. Malik fell 0-2 to the reigning Olympic champion, Kim Yujin of South Korea, in the 57kg category, while Jyoti lost 0-2 to Thailand's Kannaluck Chuenchooklin in the 67kg category.
Historic Archery Gold and Golf Prospects
The day was already highlighted by a historic moment in archery, where 17-year-old Kumkum Mohod claimed the gold medal in the women's individual recurve event. In a nail-biting finish, Mohod defeated South Korea's Oh Yejin in a shoot-off after the match ended in a 5-5 tie.
In golf, India remains in contention for more medals. Pranavi Urs has reclaimed the lead in the women's individual stroke play, moving to 15-under par following a birdie on the 13th hole, maintaining a one-stroke advantage over China's Yin Ruoning.
As the games progress, India's medal tally has climbed to 77 medals, consisting of 17 gold, 25 silver, and 35 bronze.