The star wrestler of India, Bajrang Punia has won the gold medal at the Dan Kolov-Nikola Petrov competition in Ruse, Bulgaria. The star doesn’t only make our country proud but also dedicated his victory to Indian Air Force (IAF) Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Bajrang Punia has won the gold medal at the Dan Kolov-Nikola Petrov tournament in Bulgaria and dedicated the victory to Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman
- Punia overpowered Jordan Oliver of USA 12-3 in the 65kg freestyle final to begin the season on a resounding note
Bajrang Punia dedicates Bulgaria wrestling gold to Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman
Abhinandan Varthaman is the Indian Air Force (IAF) Wing Commander who in the course of the aerial combat among the air forces of India and Pakistan on Wednesday morning had landed on the other side of the Line of Control. The Pakistan Air Force had break through Indian flight exclusion zone and tried to aim military sites.
His MiG 21 Bison was also shot down. He managed to get out of the aircraft but his parachute flows in the direction of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, where he was captivated by the Pakistan Army. Pakistan Prime Minister on Thursday made the announcement to release Abhinandan as a gesture of peace and released him on the very next day. After being in the custody of Pakistan for about 60 hours IAF Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman made his homecoming in India.
Bajrang Punia is a World Championship silver medallist who has beaten Jordan Oliver of USA 12-3 in the 65kg freestyle final to instigate the season on an unquestionable note in the Bulgarian city. The Indian also held the maximum ranking points from the competition.
After his victory Punia through his twitter account express his gratitude to Abhinandan Varthaman by dedicating his victory to him, he tweeted, “I want to dedicate my gold to Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman. He has inspired me. I want to meet him one day and also shake hands with him”.
After a suspenseful wait lasting hours, the IAF pilot Varthaman finally returned to India from the custody in Pakistan on Friday night which is being seen as a foremost step in the direction of resolving a near war circumstances prompted by India’s retaliation subsequent the Pulwama terror attack on February 14.
In the duration of last year Punia has also seized the first prize at the Commonwealth Games and the Asian Games. Also, he has won four gold medals as well as one silver in the last five competitions.
This was considered to be the 10th medal of Bajrang Punia in as many international competitions since failing to finish at the podium in the 2017 World Championships in Paris.
Previously, Pooja Dhanda also grabbed the gold in 59 kg and on the other hand, Sakshi Malik won silver in 65 kg women’s freestyle. In the events of men’s freestyle, Sandeep Tomar had to be content with a silver in 61kg.
India may perhaps increase to their gold score as Vinesh Phogat is planned to play her final in the 53kg contrary to China’s Qianyu Pang of China. On Saturday, Vinesh beat World Championships silver medallist Sarah Hildebrandt in the semi-finals. This is Vinesh’s first competition since stirring to 53kg, earlier he used to be on 50kg events. Sarita Mor won a silver in women’s 59kg however she lost to her fellow citizen Dhanda.
