Wrestlers Ravi Dahiya, Bajrang Punia to skip Nationals

New Delhi, October 20

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Tokyo Olympics silver medallist Ravi Dahiya and bronze medal winner Bajrang Punia will skip the upcoming National Wrestling Championships. While Ravi is targeting the ranking series next year as his return to competition after the Tokyo high, Bajrang is undecided on tournaments he would target once he is completely fit.

The Nationals will be held in Gonda, Uttar Pradesh, from November 11.

Speaking to reporters here, the 27-year-old Bajrang said he had only started to train and it would be wrong on his part to get into competition this soon.

“I am fit now. I have started to do the mat work in the last two days so it is only natural for me to miss the Nationals. I am still awaiting full clearance from the doctors,” Bajrang said. “Once I get the clearance I will start preparing for next year. As of now I cannot tell you which tournament I will be taking part in.”

Bajrang had hurt his knee before the Tokyo Games, which affected his competitiveness. Although he recovered to win the bronze, he sat out of the World Championships after he was told to take six weeks off training.

Ravi is targeting the first ranking series in 2022 for his comeback. He has not competed in any tournament after winning the silver medal in the 57kg category in Tokyo. His coach Arun Kumar confirmed that his ward will miss the Nationals. “He won’t take part in the Nationals. We think it is too early,” Kumar said. “Realistically speaking, the first ranking series next year is where he will be competing. This will give us time to prepare in the right earnest.” — TNS