Bajrang struggled to stand and was seen limping as he forfeited the bout.
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India’s star wrestler Bajrang Punia on Friday endured an injury on his right knee at a local Russian tournament. This comes in as a piece of bad news since he is one of India’s hopes ahead of Tokyo Olympics. The Olympics are less than a month away and this injury could hurt India’s chances of a medal.
However, his coach Shako Bentinidis assured him that there is not anything to worry about. Competing in the Ali Alyev tournament, Bajrang was up against A Kudyev in the semifinal when he sustained the injury.
It all started with a right leg attack that Bajrang launched on the Russian but Kudyev got hold of Bajrang’s right leg and pulled him. With Bajrang lying on his back on the mat, Kudyev went for a pin but the Indian, writhing in pain, had given up by then.
The referee had to immediately stop the bout and called the physio. Bajrang struggled to stand and was seen limping as he forfeited the bout. Shako Bentindis has clarified that Punia will be better ahead of the Games
“He is fine and normal. He has been given a pain-killing injection. It does not look serious, he should be okay,” Bajrang’s Georgian coach Shako Bentinidis told PTI from Russia.
One of India’s medal favorites at the Tokyo Games, Bajrang has been in Russia for a few weeks now as he skipped the Poland Open, preferring to train in Russia. However, will this decision take away his chances of a medal, only a few weeks of rehabilitation will tell?
Ali Alyev meet used to be a regular event on UWW’s annual calendar but this year the Russian Federation did not get permission from the world governing body due to the coronavirus pandemic. The pandemic has been creating havoc in the world for over a year.
The Russian Federation then went ahead with the tournament.
