2 weeks ago
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The Asian Games metallic medallist Deepak Punia believes the disruption caused by the wrestlers’ protestation astatine Jantar Mantar, New Delhi successful 2023, and the resulting deficiency of planetary vulnerability derailed the momentum of respective Indian wrestlers, including his own, arsenic helium attempts to revive his vocation this season.
Once considered India’s astir accordant wrestler successful the 86kg category, Deepak has struggled to regain his earlier bushed aft narrowly missing retired connected a bronze medal astatine the 2020 Summer Olympics successful Tokyo. Since then, his lone large podium decorativeness has been a metallic medal astatine the Asian Games successful 2023.
The 26-year-old, who won the National Open Ranking Tournament present connected Monday (May 11, 2026), however, remains ineligible for the May 31 enactment trials for the Asian Games arsenic per the existent Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) policy, which does not see this tourney for introduction into trials.
Deepak said the agelong signifier of uncertainty successful Indian wrestling pursuing the wrestlers’ protestation importantly impacted athletes by reducing planetary contention opportunities and exposure.
“After 2023, galore tournaments stopped due to the fact that of the protestation and each that happened. We did not get chances to vie overseas similar we utilized to earlier,” Deepak told Press Trust of India (PTI) during an enactment present successful Gonda, Uttar Pradesh.
“When you are competing internationally each 2nd oregon 3rd month, your shortcomings travel retired and you improve. But if you get lone 1 World Championships oregon 1 Asian Championships successful a year, determination is simply a immense quality successful performance,” helium said.
In 2023, India's salient wrestlers Vinesh Phogat, Bajrang Punia and Sakshi Malik had led a prolonged protestation against the past WFI President Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who has been accused of intersexual harassment.
The WFI was suspended by the Sports Ministry and an ad-hoc sheet ran and controlled the amusement for a agelong time. It had led to disruption of tournaments and wrestling activities similar camps successful India. The substance is successful court.
When pointed retired that helium was besides seen astatine the protestation spot, Deepak said, "I would not similar to dwell connected those things now. Let it be." The Haryana wrestler besides linked his disappointing outing astatine the 2025 World Championships to inadequate grooming enactment and deficiency of prime sparring partners. He faded good earlier the medal circular to decorativeness 11th.
“I judge that I made mistakes successful training. I did not get a sparring spouse of that level earlier the World Championships. Sparring partners play a immense role,” helium said.
“I could not spell overseas overmuch and determination was nary due campy setup there. Otherwise, I decidedly judge I could person won a medal astatine the World Championships.” Despite the setbacks, Deepak said his absorption remains firmly connected winning golden astatine the adjacent Asian Games successful the 86 kg category.
“My people is to alteration the colour of my medal astatine the Asian Games,” helium said.
However, helium volition not beryllium capable to get into the nationalist squad reckoning for the Asian Games successful Japan. He won the 92kg lawsuit successful National Open successful Gonda but since winners of this tourney volition not beryllium considered for Asian Games trials successful Lucknow connected May 31.
"I americium present to gain a accidental for Asian Games only, different wherefore americium I here?. I volition petition the federation to see me," helium said. Also, the Asian Games has an 86kg class portion helium won the Gonda lawsuit successful 92kg.
Reflecting connected the changes successful Indian wrestling, Deepak welcomed the instrumentality of overseas coaches, saying they bring a much technological and tactical attack compared to the accepted Indian accent connected hard work.
“Our Indian coaches absorption much connected hard work. Foreign coaches absorption much connected astute work. They enactment connected tiny shortcomings, mindset, nutrition and recovery,” helium said.
Asked astir the increasing contention successful the 86kg division, Deepak named youngsters similar Mukund Dahiya among the emerging wrestlers but insisted his attraction remains connected self-improvement alternatively than rivals. “My absorption is lone connected my mentation and performance,” helium said.
Deepak besides acknowledged that mistakes made successful the past fewer years whitethorn person affected his vocation trajectory. He said helium prefers not to deliberation astir missed chances. "I person to determination guardant and not deliberation astir Tokyo Games heartbreak," helium signed off.
