Being hailed as India’s future and World Junior Championship gold medallist is making big strides in the men’s world after having announced his arrival in style at the just-concluded UWW World Championship in Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan last week. Deepak who surprised everyone by entering the finals of the world championship in 86kg weight category is now the world number 1 in the latest rankings released by United World Wrestling.
In Nur-Sultan Punia became the youngest ever Indian to make it to the world championships finals and now he has become youngest ever Indian to be ranked number 1 in the world rankings. Due to unforeseen injury Punia could not play in the finals against great Hassan Yazdanicharati of Iran. The Iranian great despite winning the gold medal at the world championships is at number 2 in the world rankings of the 86kg weight category.
On the other hand, India’s biggest name Bajrang Punia slipped to number 2 in the world rankings. Before the world championships, Bajrang was ranked number 1 in the world in the 65kg weight category. Bajrang lost out in the semi-finals of the world championships and that has resulted in him slipping to number 2 in the world ranking.
A World cadet and World junior champion, Deepak had a tremendous run at the World Championships that saw him get past Kazakhstan’s Adilet Davlumbayev, Bakhdour Kodirov of Tajikistan, Columbia’s Milton Izquierdo and Stefan Reichmuth of Switzerland to earn his spot in the final. In the process, he also sealed the country’s fourth wrestling quota for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
UWW World Rankings – 86kg weight category
Bajrang Punia slips to number 2 in the world ranking
On the other hand, India’s biggest name Bajrang Punia slipped to number 2 in the world rankings. Before the world championships, Bajrang was ranked number 1 in the world in the 65kg weight category. Bajrang lost out in the semi-finals of the world championships and that has resulted in him slipping to number 2 in the world ranking.