Wrestling Stars Shine: Deepak Punia Finalist, Rohit Rolls On

Dominance defined Deepak Punia’s journey to the final in the men’s 92kg freestyle at the Senior Open Ranking Wrestling Tournament 2026, unfolding in Gonda’s Nandini Nagar. The Haryana star, adorned with silver from Worlds and Asiad, dispatched teammate Raja 11-1 in the semis, wrapping it up in 2:53 with masterful technique.

Boasting 593 entrants nationwide, this WFI-organized national spectacle spans 10 weight classes, where wrestlers fight to cement their rankings ahead of major events. Punia’s semifinal masterclass sets the stage for a Haryana derby against Vansh in the gold medal bout.

Heavyweight excitement brewed in match 179 of the 125kg category, where Rohit outlasted Aniruddha’s tenacious defense. A clutch scoring sequence earned Rohit the verdict, booking his next-round spot and ousting the challenger.

WFI chief Sanjay Singh lauded the participation: ‘Seeing the best of India clash here is phenomenal. This platform lets wrestlers across categories prove their mettle against top foes and grab prime rankings.’ He highlighted its grassroots strengthening effect for wrestling’s growth at home and abroad.

Punia eyes title glory, reinforcing his elite status, as Rohit’s grit advances the heavyweight narrative in this pivotal ranking event.