Tokyo Olympics 2020: Wrestler Bajrang Punia Adds To India's Medal Tally, Wins Bronze
Wrestler Bajrang Punia has made the country proud after winning the bronze medal in Men's Freestyle 65kg category in the Tokyo Olympics 2020. He beat Kazakhstan's Daulet Niyazbekov 8-0 in the bronze medal match. With this medal, India now has won 6 medals so far including 2 silver and 4 bronze medals.
Wrestler Bajrang Punia has made the country proud after winning the bronze medal in Men's Freestyle 65kg category in the Tokyo Olympics 2020. He beat Kazakhstan's Daulet Niyazbekov 8-0 in the bronze medal match. With this medal, India now has won 6 medals so far including 2 silver and 4 bronze medals.
Agencies
With Punia's bronze, India equal their best ever Olympic medal haul of six achieved in 2012 London edition.
As soon as news of his victory became official, congratulatory messages poured in from across all quarters. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was the first to wish the wrestler for his victory.
Delightful news from #Tokyo2020! Spectacularly fought @BajrangPunia. Congratulations to you for your accomplishment, which makes every Indian proud and happy.
¡ª Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 7, 2021
BRONZE ? for BAJRANG !!!
¡ª Anurag Thakur (@ianuragthakur) August 7, 2021
YOU DID IT !
India ?? is thrilled beyond words !
I am so proud of you, loved watching your dominating performance and spectacular finish ! #Tokyo2020 @BajrangPunia pic.twitter.com/M1e1pkKQBn
Soon after his victory, Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar announced a prize of Rs 2.5 crore for Punia along with a govt job, and a plot of land at 50% concession.
As per our policy, Haryana Govt will give Rs 2.5 crores, a govt job, & a plot of land at 50% concession to wrestler Bajrang Punia for winning bronze medal at #Tokyo2020. An indoor stadium will be constructed in his native village Khudan in Jhajjar: Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar https://t.co/HWPXaVNGl7 pic.twitter.com/iUSudZVLrI
¡ª ANI (@ANI) August 7, 2021
Setback in semi-final, came back stronger
Punia suffered a huge setback as he lost to Aliyev Haji of Azerbaijan, going down 12-5 on points in the semifinals of the 65kg freestyle wrestling.
Punia, who had survived a scare in the pre-quarterfinals against Akmataliev Ernazar of Kyrgyzstan and outplayed Ghiasi Cheka Morteza of Iran in the semifinals, went behind 1-4 on points in the first period and then came under repeated attacks from the Azerbaijani in the second to lose by a big margin.
Punia did fight back in the second period by claiming four points but Aliyev, the bronze medallist in 57kg in Rio de Janeiro and a three-time world champion in 61kg, proved too strong with late attacks.
