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The Senior Open Ranking Tournament 2026, organized by the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), kicked off on Sunday in Nandininagar, Gonda. This national-level event has attracted 593 wrestlers from various regions of the country, competing in 10 different weight categories to earn their national rankings.

In the 92kg freestyle category, Deepak Punia from Haryana showcased his skills by reaching the finals after a series of impressive performances. He triumphed over fellow Haryana competitor Raja with a score of 11-1 in the semifinals, which lasted 2 minutes and 53 seconds. Punia is set to face Vansh from Haryana in the final match.

The 125kg heavyweight match featured a tight contest between Haryana wrestlers Rohit and Anirudh. Despite Anirudh's strong defense, Rohit managed to secure the necessary points to win, eliminating Anirudh from the tournament.

Sanjay Singh, the President of the Wrestling Federation of India, expressed his satisfaction with the event's participation. He remarked, "It is encouraging to see so many wrestlers from across India gather in Nandininagar to compete in the 2026 Open Senior National Ranking Tournaments. This event offers a vital platform for wrestlers to compete in their respective weight categories, challenge themselves against the best, and aim for top rankings. Such initiatives will bolster Indian wrestling both domestically and on the international stage."

The tournament will proceed with additional knockout and medal matches, and the WFI will provide updates on the final standings and technical results as the competition progresses.