India's wrestling contingent delivered a commanding performance on the mats at the Asian Games in Japan, as Olympic medalists and premier grapplers Deepak Punia and Antim Panghal advanced decisively into their respective semifinal bouts. Competing in the men's 97kg freestyle division, Deepak Punia displayed superior tactical control and physical dominance, overwhelming China's Zhou Junpeng with a emphatic 10-2 victory in his quarterfinal clash to keep his gold medal ambitions firmly on track. Concurrently, in the women's 53kg category, star wrestler Antim Panghal put on a technical masterclass, charging past Kazakhstan's Shugyla Omirbek with a dominant 9-0 victory in her opening bout before demonstrating remarkable resilience to overturn an early deficit and claim a 6-1 semifinal spot. High-performance coaches and national wrestling federation officials commended the duo's sharp tactical execution, noting that their strong showing against top-seeded continental opposition reinforces India's status as a powerhouse in freestyle wrestling. The impressive quarterfinal runs have assured the Indian squad of vital medal opportunities as the combat sports schedule reaches its high-stakes climax.

Indian Wrestling Contingent Delivers Explosive Performance on Mat in Nagoya

Continuing India's strong showing on the mat at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, top Indian grapplers Deepak Punia and Antim Panghal marched into the semifinals of their respective weight divisions. The high-stakes knockout rounds highlighted India's tactical depth across both men's freestyle and women's wrestling disciplines as the squad pushes for multiple podium finishes.

Punia, who made the strategic shift to the 97kg freestyle class for the Nagoya games, demonstrated seamless adaptation to the higher weight bracket, while Panghal continued her status as a formidable contender in the women's 53kg division.

Overview: Indian Wrestling Results and Semifinal Matchups (Day 14)

Wrestler / CategoryRound of 16 / Qualification ResultQuarterfinal ResultSemifinal Status & Opponent
Deepak Punia (Men's 97kg Freestyle)Defeated Zhou Junpeng (CHN) 10-2 / Tech SupAdvanced via Forfeit (vs. Li Vincent, HKG)Qualified for Semifinals (vs Sherzod Poyonov)
Antim Panghal (Women's 53kg)Defeated Shugyla Omirbek (KAZ) 9-0Won by Pin/PointsQualified for Semifinals
Manisha Bhanwala (Women's 57kg)Defeated Kwon Youngjin (KOR) 8-0Advanced to QuarterfinalsContending in Knockout Bracket
Sagar Jaglan (Men's 74kg Freestyle)Defeated Tumur-Ochir Tulga (MGL) 8-1Advanced to QuarterfinalsContending in Knockout Bracket

Punia's Dominant Transition to 97kg Category

Facing China's Zhou Junpeng in the men's freestyle 97kg pre-quarterfinals, Deepak Punia controlled the pace from the opening whistle. Utilizing sharp upper-body control and swift leg attacks, Punia built a 6-2 lead in the first period before scoring six unanswered points in the second frame to secure a 10-2 victory.

Deepak Punia 97kg Semifinal Advancement Pipeline: ------------------------------------------------- Round of 16 vs Zhou Junpeng (10-2 Tech Sup) ──> Quarterfinal Forfeit (Li Vincent HKG) ──> Semifinal Spot Secured

Punia's path to the semifinals was expedited when his scheduled quarterfinal opponent, Hong Kong China's Li Vincent, conceded a forfeit due to injury, granting the Indian wrestler direct passage into the medal-deciding semifinal round.

Antim Panghal Commands Women's 53kg Bracket

In the women's 53kg division, World Championship bronze medalist Antim Panghal displayed clinical mat control. Panghal opened her campaign with a comprehensive 9-0 victory over Kazakhstan's Shugyla Omirbek in the round of 16, controlling positions and conceding zero defensive points.

She carried that momentum into her quarterfinal bout, executing decisive counter-attacks to secure her place in the semifinals. Alongside strong victories by teammates Manisha Bhanwala (57kg) and Sagar Jaglan (74kg), the Indian wrestling camp enters the final sessions with multiple strong medal opportunities.