City
Epaper

My focus is on medals for India, not rankings: Bajrang Punia

By IANS | Updated: June 23, 2019 18:30 IST

Ace Indian wrestler Bajrang Punia has said he is happy to top the ranking charts but his main focus is to win more medals for the country, especially in the Olympics.

Open in App

Bajrang, who recently bagged the first position in the 65-kg category at the United World Wrestling (UWW) event, also said he is not under pressure to be the top wrestler as he simply believes on performing on the mat each time.

Talking to , the 25-year-old wrestler said: "I feel happy to be the number one wrestler but in true sense, rankings doesn't matter much for me. My aim is to deliver my hundred per cent every time and get medals for my nation."

It is for the first time when 15 grapplers from India have made to the rankings released by the UWW. Bajrang is happy over the development and believes it will motivate other wrestlers to perform better.

"It shows that Indian wrestling is in right direction as many of our wrestlers are in the top 10. It will certainly motivate others to do even better," he opined.

Bajrang was defeated by Yianni Diakomihalis of the US in a thrilling bout at the iconic Madison Square Garden last month, going down to the American by a close margin of 8-10 in the 65 kg category bout. He, however, scripted history as he became the only Indian to fight a bout at the Madison.

"It was a great moment to fight at the Madison Square as I am the only Indian who got an opportunity to do so. The American Wrestling Federation had invited me there and I learnt a lot there. It was a tough fight and I will always remember it. Many Ind came to watch the fight and cheered for me which boosted my confidence," he said.

Bajrang, who mostly trains abroad, said that there is not much difference in practice but the weather is better. "I underwent training in America and the experience was great. Though the training is more or less same everywhere but the climate is ideal over there as in India, it gets difficult to practise in hot weather."

With the world celebrating World Olympic Day on June 23, Bajrang said: "For me, Olympic Day will be the day when I bag a medal at the Olympics. But yes, it is a good thing to celebrate such a day as Olympics is a major sporting event."

(Abhishek Upadhyay can be contacted at abhishek.u@.in)

( With inputs from IANS )

Tags: BajrangindiaMadisonMadison Squareamerica
Open in App

Related Stories

InternationalDonald Trump's Signature to Appear on US Currency in First for Sitting President

InternationalIranian President Calls for Constructive Role of Brics to Halt West Asia Conflict During Talks With PM Modi

LifestyleEid 2026 Date: When Will Saudi Arabia, UAE and India Celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr?

MaharashtraMaharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis Unfurls 200-Foot National Flag at Nagpur’s Kasturchand Park

NationalAhmedabad Traffic Update for India vs New Zealand T20 World Cup Final: Check Road Closures and Alternate Routes Near Narendra Modi Stadium

Other Sports Realted Stories

Other SportsNew BCB president Tamim Iqbal chairs first official meeting

Other SportsIPL 2026: Jaiswal's unbeaten 77 helps RR beat Mumbai Indians by 27 runs in rain-hit match

Other SportsThailand takes early lead over India as rain halts Billie Jean King Cup tie

Other SportsIFL 2025-26: Naoba Meitei’s stoppage-time strike seals three points for Rajasthan United

Other SportsVasundhara Nangare, Anika Dubey in squad for Asian Junior Individual Squash Championships