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.
world Wrestling Championship 2013
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.
asian wrestling championship 2014
In Astana, Kazakhstan, Bajrang won the silver medal in the men's freestyle
61 kg category, losing 0-4 to Masoud Esmaeilpour of Iran.
world wrestling championship 2015
He finished 5th in the tournament.
asian wrestling championship 2017
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.
world wrestling championship 2018
In Budapest, Hungary he lost the final to Japanese opponent Takuto Otoguro
by 16-9.
world wrestling championship 2019
He won the bronze medal here for the second time. for this performance he qualified for the
olympic 2020.
asian wrestling championship 2019
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
Asian wrestling championship
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
world wrestling championship
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