Indian Sportsperson Bajrang Punia

Bajrang Punia is an inspirational Freestyle wrestler who plays in the sixty-five kg category. He was given birth on 26 February 1994 in his motherland in Khudan village of Haryana. The family of the lad was financially weak, and thus, they taught him free games like wrestling and kabaddi. The child started the training of wrestling at the age of seven after his father, Balwant Singh Punia, encouraged the kid to take up the sport. Subsequently, the wrestler dad sent the boy to a local wrestling ground for teaching the strength game. While growing up, Bajrang Punia admired wrestlers and the skill. The emerging player bunked the school to practice wrestling at the akhaada (local wrestling arena). He won cash prizes at several events, and thus, the young one decided to take wrestling as a career.

Bajrang Punia began his professional coaching at the Chatshal Stadium under the trainer Shri Mahabaleshwar Pal. He worked hard day and night and followed every routine which his coach suggested with discipline and punctuality. The youngster determined to become a famous sportsperson In India and inspire emerging athletes. In 2014, the young player went to Yogeshwar Academy, where Yogeshwar Dutt became his mentor and close friend who supported the budding wrestler to grow. Later in 2015, the family of Bajrang Punia shifted from their native village to Sonepat, where the wrestler attended the Sports Authority of India in the region.

Bajrang Punia, after years of practice, the athlete tasted the first success in 2013 at Asian Wrestling Championship in New Delhi, where he won the bronze medal in the 60 kg category. The same year, the emerging star achieved bronze medals at Budapest 60 kg and Dave Schultz Memorial Tournament. Then in 2014, the dedicated fighter grabbed the silver medals at the Asian Championships, Asian Games and Commonwealth Games. He won the Arjuna Award for his outstanding performance in wrestling and the Gold medal at Dave Schultz Memorial Tournament in the year 2015. Within a short period, the wrestler was noted as the famous Indian Sports Player and made the country proud. Later, the wrestler successfully achieved a Gold medal at the 2016 Commonwealth Championship held in Singapore. Soon in the year 2017, the star gamer won a silver medal and two gold medals at international events in the 65 kg and 70 kg categories. The year 2018 also showered victory on him, and the talented performer won gold medals in the Asian Games and Commonwealth Games. Moreover, he also achieved a silver medal at World Championship and a bronze medal at the Asian Championship in 2018. Bajrang Punia was awarded the prestigious Padma Shri and Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna in 2019 from the Indian Government. The skilful wrestler won a silver medal at the 2019 World Championship, and thus, he was ranked as the world’s no.1 in the 65 kg category. The talented wrestler won the 2020 Rome Ranking series by defeating Jordan Olivar in the 65 kg freestyle category.

The Indian sportsperson was qualified for the Tokyo Summer Olympics in 2020. Unfortunately, the event was postponed due to the increasing cases of the Covid-19 pandemic. Bajrang Punia was not discouraged, and he continued his training with determination to prepare himself for any opportunity that would knock on his doors. Subsequently, in 2021, the fighter won the gold medal at the Matteo Pellicone Ranking Series 2021 held in Italy.

Bajrang Punia joined the Indian Railways as the Gazetted officer OSD officer. He married wrestler Sangeeta Phogat on 26 November 2020 in the presence of their few loved ones, following the rules and regulation of the coronavirus guidelines. The player has proved himself as an honest employee, dedicated wrestler, respectable Indian citizen and loving family man.

Bajrang Punia is a source of inspiration to many wrestlers and athletes who dream to make India proud. He believed in himself and followed all the lessons taught by his coaches. The player had a clear vision, determination and perseverance for the game, and it helped him in becoming the successful fighter of the world. The other important fact to learn from Bajrang Punia is to never lose hope before accomplishing your dream. The wrestler did not halt after achieving a place in the world ranking but began working harder for the future.