Video Editor: Ashutosh Bhardwaj
Video Journalist: Sumit Badola
Ace Indian wrestler Bajrang Punia moved one step closer to book a spot in the Tokyo Olympics on Friday, 26 July.
Participating in the national trials for the upcoming World Wrestling Championship in Kazakhstan, Bajrang beat national champion Harphool in the only bout of the 65kg weight class. Leading 7-0, he got a walkover after Harphool got injured immediately after the start of the second half.
Bajrang was happy that he entered the World Championship but at the same time he was sympathetic towards his opponent, who badly injured his knee.
Despite the golden run, Bajrang has been suspectable with his defense. Over the last few months he has worked with his new Georgian coach Emzarious Bentinidis to solve the chinks in his armour.
With eight gold medals in his last nine tournaments, Bajrang has credited Bentinidis for his superlative performance.
The understanding between the duo was evident on Friday when the Georgian was heard cheering ‘Baju Baju’ from the corner.
Amid the gold rush, Bajrang lost on two occasions. One of these losses came in the finals of the previous edition of the World Championships when Bajrang had to settle for a silver, He lost to Japan’s Takuto Otoguro. But on Friday Bajrang clarified that last year’s loss will have no effect on him when travels to Nur-Sultan in Kazakthstan later in September.
“Every athlete makes mistakes. The thing is there should be someone to take advantage of that. So, my aim would be not to commit any mistake at this edition of the World Championships improve from the last edition,” added Bajrang.
First Indian wrestler to be ranked number one in the world across any weight category Bajrang has never allowed his envious career graph to get the better of him. In fact, the wrestler explained that it is not ranking but his performance that takes the priority.
Meanwhile, Bajrang slammed the Haryana government and the sports minister Anil Vij for the state’s new prize money policy.
Last month the Haryana government had announced that part of a new policy if sportsperson wins more than one medal during a financial year, he/she will receive full award money for the highest medal and at least 50 per cent of the award money for the second and the subsequent medals.
“This had never happened before. But he is saying that his policy is the best. Athletes involved here include the ones in junior, cadet and sub-junior category. They hardly have any prize money. They are saying that they are supporting grass root level but if you don’t support junior and sub-junior athletes than how are improving the grassroot level,” added Bajrang.
“Most the athletes come from humble background. The Haryana government is trying to finish them all.”
Bajrang even went on to praise the Centre and newly appointed Union Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju for the pro-sports stance.
The World Championship will also serve as qualifiers for the Tokyo 2020 and after a rich haul at the Commonwealth Games and Asian Games last year, Bajrang would surely not settle for anything less than a Gold at the next edition of the Olympics.
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