Thඣe Wrestling Federation of India put Bajrang Punia, Ravi Dahiya and Dee꧑pak Punia directly in the finals, a move which did not amuse other competitors.
Taking the mat for the first time since winning a bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics, star Indian wrestler Bajrang Punia was far from his dominant best as he just about managed to prevail 4-2 against a fighting Rohit to secure his place in the Indian team for the Asian Championships. (More Sports News)
The national federation put Bajrang, Tokyo Olympic silver medallist Ravi Dahiya and Deepak Punia directly in the finals, a move which did not amuse oth𝓰er competing wrestleℱrs and their coaches.
Eventually, all t🌺hree made the Indian team for the Championships, starting April 19 in Mongolia, with Rav𝓀i (57kg) getting a walkover from hard-working Aman, who like Ravi trains at Chhatrasal stadium.
Aman chose not to compete after developing stiff back following four tough bouts and Deepak (86kg) beat ꩵVinod 6-0 in an ill-tempered final, which ended when the latter was given a tไhird caution.
Bajrang, who had planned to compete in a couple of Ranking Series events to start his season but could not do💟 so due♑ to a left-knee issue, was not sharp and perhaps surprised by the aggression of his opponent.
Rohit effected take-down to go up 2-0 and also kept Bajrang st🍎atic with his body lock. Just before t🌺he end of first period, Bajrang found a way to fell his rival to log four points.
That two-point lead stayed with Bajrang though towards the 🌸end twice Rohit made superb leg attack moves but could not convert those into points. Bajrang used all his defensive skills to not lose any more point.
"This was my first bout after Olympics. It takes time to get that sharpness when you go to mat after so many months. After my injury I did my rehab on my own, I did not have a personal physio with 🎃me, otherwise I could have recovered early," Bajrang said.
"Overall I am happy with my performance considering that I compet💃ed after eight months. I felt good."♑;
The 28-year-old had injured his left knee during the National camp at So🐠nepat, late in January. He had train♕ed in Iran before returning to country.
𒊎Meanwhile, intense competition was 🅰witnessed in 74kg category in which Yash Tushir emerged winner to be on the Indian team.
In a see-saw batt🌳le, Yash, the junior world championship bronze meda🦩l winner, moved to 8-4 lead before pinning Pritam, the reigning national champion.
In all his bouts, Yash conceded early points b🎃ut only to make strong comebacks.
His four-point throw against Sajan Jaglan w🐟as the move of the day.
Mangal (61kg), Naveen (70kg), Gourav Baliyan (79kg), Satywart Kadiyan (97☂kg) also 🐟booked their spots in the national free style team.