Dream fulfilled: Wrestler Bajrang Punia dad
Ravinder Saini
Tribune News Service
Jhajjar, August 7
Wrestler Bajrang Punia, a resident of Khuddan village here, made India proud by clinching bronze after defeating Daulet Niyazbekov of Kazakhstan in the repechage round of the men’s 65 kg category at the Tokyo Olympics on Saturday.
Balwan Singh Punia, proud father of Bajrang, said his son had fulfilled his dream. “I dreamt of an Olympic medal for Bajrang and he knew about it. That day came today. My son turned my dream into reality. Though we were confident about Bajrang’s gold in the Olympics, the bronze medal is also no mean feat for us as he played brilliantly despite suffering a knee injury,” he added.
He said, “We talked to Bajrang on the phone in the morning. He again assured us that he would give his best today and would not return empty-handed. I am glad that he kept his word. We are so happy that it can’t be expressed in words.”
Harvinder, brother of Bajrang, said they would give a grand reception to Bajrang on his return to India. “We will go to the Delhi airport with drums to welcome him. This medal is not only for my brother but for the entire nation. His performance in the Olympics is the outcome of blessings of all Indians.”
Meanwhile, the wrestler’s relatives, friends, people of his native village and mediapersons in large numbers assembled at his house to watch his bout live on television. They cheered and clapped when Bajrang scored points. They started dancing, bursting crackers and distributing sweets after his victory. Similarly in Khuddan, villagers distributed sweets and burst crackers at an ‘akhara’ where Bajrang initially had tried his hand at wrestling.
