Haryana, a state in northern India, has a long and proud tradition of producing world-class wrestlers. The state has once again proved its dominance in the sport by winning six medals at the ongoing Asian Games 2023 in Hangzhou, China. Out of the 18 wrestlers who represented India at the continental event, 11 were from Haryana. They secured one silver and five bronze medals, contributing to India’s overall tally of 84 medals.
Silver for Deepak Punia
The lone silver medal for India in wrestling came from Deepak Punia, who competed in the men’s freestyle 86kg category. The 28-year-old from Jhajjar district faced Iran’s Hassan Yazdani, the reigning Olympic and world champion, in the final. Punia put up a brave fight but lost 4-10 to the Iranian legend. Punia had earlier defeated Uzbekistan’s Artur Taymazov and Kazakhstan’s Azamat Dauletbekov in the quarterfinal and semifinal respectively.
Bronze for Bajrang Punia
Bajrang Punia, the two-time Asian Games gold medallist and Olympic bronze medallist, settled for a bronze medal in the men’s freestyle 65kg category. The 29-year-old from Sonipat district lost to Japan’s Takuto Otoguro, the reigning world champion, in the semifinal by a narrow margin of 5-6. However, he bounced back to defeat Mongolia’s Batmagnai Batchuluun 8-7 in the bronze medal match. Bajrang had earlier won his pre-quarterfinal and quarterfinal bouts against Kyrgyzstan’s Ulukbek Zholdoshbekov and China’s Pei Xingru respectively.
Bronze for Sonam Malik
Sonam Malik, the youngest Indian wrestler to qualify for the Olympics, clinched a bronze medal in the women’s freestyle 62kg category. The 20-year-old from Sonepat district defeated Uzbekistan’s Nabira Esenbaeva 4-1 in the bronze medal match. Sonam had earlier lost to Japan’s Yukako Kawai, the reigning Olympic and world champion, in the quarterfinal by a technical superiority of 0-10. However, she got a chance to compete in the repechage round after Kawai reached the final. Sonam then beat Mongolia’s Bolortuya Khurelkhuu 5-0 to enter the bronze medal match.
Bronze for Sunil Kumar
Sunil Kumar, the Asian champion in 2020, won a bronze medal in the men’s Greco-Roman 87kg category. The 30-year-old from Sonepat district defeated Kazakhstan’s Askhat Dilmukhamedov 6-0 in the bronze medal match. Sunil had earlier lost to Uzbekistan’s Rustam Assakalov, the reigning Asian champion, in the quarterfinal by a technical superiority of 0-8. However, he got a chance to compete in the repechage round after Assakalov reached the final. Sunil then beat China’s Di Xiao 5-1 to enter the bronze medal match.
Bronze for Radhika
Radhika, the Asian champion in 2021, bagged a bronze medal in the women’s freestyle 68kg category. The 23-year-old from Rohtak district defeated Mongolia’s Delgermaa Enkhsaikhan 4-2 in the bronze medal match. Radhika had earlier lost to Japan’s Naruha Matsuyuki, the reigning world champion, in the semifinal by a technical superiority of 0-10. Radhika had earlier won her pre-quarterfinal and quarterfinal bouts against Kyrgyzstan’s Aiperi Medet Kyzy and China’s Feng Zhou respectively.
Bronze for Kiran
Kiran, the Commonwealth Games bronze medallist in 2018, secured a bronze medal in the women’s freestyle 76kg category. The 27-year-old from Jind district defeated Uzbekistan’s Gulmaral Yerkebayeva 10-0 by technical superiority in the bronze medal match. Kiran had earlier lost to Japan’s Hiroe Minagawa Suzuki, the reigning world champion, in the quarterfinal by a fall. However, she got a chance to compete in the repechage round after Suzuki reached the final. Kiran then beat Mongolia’s Oyun-Erdene Naranjargal by injury default to enter the bronze medal match.
Haryana Wrestlers’ Contribution
The six medals won by Haryana wrestlers at the Asian Games 2023 are a testament to their hard work, dedication and talent. They have maintained their legacy of excellence in wrestling at the continental level. Haryana wrestlers have won a total of 21 medals at the Asian Games since 1986, including seven gold, five silver and nine bronze. They have also contributed to India’s success at the Olympics, World Championships and Commonwealth Games. Haryana wrestlers have made the state and the nation proud with their achievements.