Deepak Punia Reflects on Challenges in Indian Wrestling Amid Protests
'Protests Hurt Indian Wrestling': Deepak Punia Opens Up On Career Struggles, Lost Momentum
News 18
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Deepak Punia, the Asian Games silver medallist, has expressed that the ongoing turmoil in Indian wrestling has severely impacted athletes' careers, including his own. The protests against former Wrestling Federation of India chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh have led to reduced international competition opportunities, hindering development for wrestlers like Punia.
- 01Deepak Punia attributes his career struggles to the protests in Indian wrestling over the past two years.
- 02The lack of international competition has stunted athletes' growth and performance.
- 03Punia narrowly missed an Olympic medal in 2020 and has struggled to regain form since.
- 04Poor preparation and limited access to quality sparring partners affected his performance at the 2025 World Championships.
- 05Despite winning the National Open Ranking Tournament, Punia is currently ineligible for Asian Games selection trials.
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Deepak Punia, a 26-year-old wrestler from Haryana, India, has voiced concerns over the negative impact of the protests in Indian wrestling on athletes' careers, including his own. The protests, led by prominent wrestlers like Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia against former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh due to allegations of sexual harassment, have resulted in a temporary suspension of the WFI. This disruption has led to fewer international competitions and training opportunities, which Punia believes are crucial for improvement. He noted that after 2023, many tournaments were halted, limiting exposure and competition frequency. Punia's last significant achievement was a silver medal at the 2023 Asian Games, following a disappointing 11th-place finish at the 2025 World Championships, which he attributed to inadequate preparation and lack of quality sparring partners. Despite winning the recent National Open Ranking Tournament in Gonda, he faces eligibility issues for the upcoming Asian Games selection trials due to existing WFI regulations.
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The ongoing turmoil in Indian wrestling affects athletes' training and competition opportunities, which may hinder their performance on international stages.
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