India's Bajrang Punia opened his 2020 Tokyo Olympics campaign with a win against Kyrgyzstan's Ernazar Akmataliev in the Men's 65 kg freestyle wrestling event.
Bajrang's opening win puts him the quarter-finals. He is one of India's strongest medal hopes. Up next for the Indian ace is a bout with Iran's Morteza Ghiasi. The Iranian won bronze at the recent Asian Championships.
An attack minded Bajrang had his opponent taking a passive approach in the beginning of the first round, which eventually gave the Indian a point to start off with.
With the momentum going his way, Bajrang ended the first round at 3-1, looking the better of the two in the contest.
In the second round however, Akmataliev clawed back into the bout even as Bajrang caught him in a lock. The Indian had to defend his lead doggedly as Akmataliev picked up a couple of more points on the basis of two push outs.
Bajrang however did not allow his opponent to get a hold of the contest and was eventually declared winner by points.
Bajrang, the second seed in the draw opened his campaign at the Tokyo Games with a win.
Before the campaign had started, there were injury concerns regarding Bajrang’s right knee but the ace wrestler has, fortunately for Indian fans, recovered in time for the showpiece Games.
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