Deepak Punia is new world number 1 in 86 kg; Bajrang Punia loses top spot in latest UWW rankings

World Championship silver medallist wrestler Deepak Punia has claimed the world number one position in the 86kg category in the latest rankings issued by the international federation - United World Wrestling (UWW). Competing in his maiden senior World Championship, 20-year-old  Deepak settled for a silver after an ankle injury forced him to pull out of the final against Iranian great Hasan Yazdani. Deepak now has 82 points, four more than World Champion Yazdani, keeping the two in a league of their own with third-ranked wrestler Turkish Fatih Erdin at 44 points.

This year, Deepak had won a silver Yasar Dogu and bronze medals at Asian Championship and at Sassari tournaments. The number one spot is a reward for his consistent show.

However, Bajrang Punia (65kg), who went into the World Championship as world number one, dropped to the number two spot after managing only a bronze. The 25-year-old now has 63 points while Russia's Gadzhimurad Rashidov, who won gold in Nur Sultan, is the new world number one with 72 points.

In 57kg, world bronze medallist Ravi Dahiya has entered the top-five bracket. He is ranked exactly five with 39 points while Rahul Aware's bronze medal in the 61kg category has pushed him to world number two with 64 points.

Meanwhile, in the women's rankings, Vinesh Phogat, who also won a bronze in Nur-Sultan along with the Tokyo Olympic quota, has jumped to number two in 53kg category, gaining four places after her stupendous show last week with 71 points. In 50kg, Seema Bisla has dropped one spot to number three while Pooja Dhanda (32) is ranked five in 59kg, two places behind compatriot Manju Kumari (40).