Bajrang punia

The Bahubali of Indian Wrestling

    In august 5, 2022 Bajrang Punia clinches another commonwealth gold medel in men's 65kg freestyle wrestling in the 2022 edition. With this India bagged it's first gold medel in wrestling that night which was followed by many. Beating Lanchlan McNeil of Canada in the final (9 - 2) he finished on the podium for consecutive editions. This 28-year-old didn't even conceeded a single point before final where he conceeded two to his canadian opponent. He was praised with words consisteny and excellence by the indian prime minister Narendra Modi.

Life and Family

     Bajrang punia (born 26 feb 1994) is an indian freestyle wrestler. He belongs to khudan village of jhajjar district of haryana. His family also has a wrestling background. His father Balwan Singh is also a wrestler. Starting at the age of 7 bajrang moved to Sonepat in 2015 to pursue in his career where he joined the regional center of Sports Authority of india. He is currently employed by Indian Railways on the post of Gazetted officer. He is married to fellow wrestler Sangita Phogat Punia.

Career

     His first major tournament was 2013 Asian wrestling Championship where he lost to Hwant Ryong-Hak of North Korea in the men's freestyle 60kg category. Later he went to win the bronze medal.
     In Budapest, Hungary he defeated Enkhsaikhany Nyam-Ochir of Mongolia in the bronge medel match. There also he competed in men's freestyle 60kg category.
     He won silver medal in men's 61 kg category, after losing 1-4 to David tremblay of Canada in Glasgow, Scotland.
     He won silver medal in men's 61kg category after losing to 0-4 to Masoud Esmaeilpoorjouybari of Iran in Incheon, South Korea.
    In Astana, Kazakhstan, Bajrang won the silver medal in the men's freestyle 61 kg category, losing 0-4 to Masoud Esmaeilpour of Iran.
     He finished 5th in the tournament.
     He won the final by 6-2 to Lee Seung-chul of South Korea in men's freestyle wrestling in the 65kg category held at New delhi, India. He started his gold medal journey in this tournament.
     He won another gold medal in the final winning to Kane Charig of Wales in the 65kg category. this tournament was held at the Gold coast, Australia.
    He defeated Japanese wrestler Takatani Daichi by 11-8 in 65kg category in the final.
    In Budapest, Hungary he lost the final to Japanese opponent Takuto Otoguro by 16-9.
    He won the bronze medal here for the second time. for this performance he qualified for the olympic 2020.
    He lost the final to Takuto Otoguro of Japan.
    He won the bronze medal match defeating the Kazakhstani wrestler Daulet Niyazbekov by a margin of 8-0.this was his first olympic medal.
    Bajrang Punia clinched his second successive final in commonwealth games in men's 65kg category. he defeated Canada's Lachlan McNeil by a margin of 9-2.

International Medals

    Bronze in 2020
    silver in 2021
    silver in 2020
    gold in 2019
    bronze in 2018
    gold in 2017
    silver in 2014
    bronze in 2013
    gold in 2022
    gold in 2018
    silver in 2014
    gold in 2018
    silver in 2014
    bronze in 2019
    silver in 2018
    bronze in 2013

Awards

    Arjuna award 2015
    padma shri award 2019
    rajiv gandhi khel ratna award 2019
    FICCI India Sports Award 2020

Conclusion

     Bajrang Punia is a man of many firsts. He is the first indian wrestler to be world no.1 ranked in any category. He is the first Indian to win two world champion medals.
The talented Bajrang Punia is synonymous with consistency and excellence. his spirit and confidence is inspiring.
- Narendra Modi
Indian prime minister