Harpal Singh Bedi / New Delhi
Asian Games champion Bajrang Punia, on Saturday earned the distinction of becoming the first Indian to be ranked No. 1 in the world, according to the ranking chart released by the United World Wrestling ..
Punia , who competes in Freestyle 65 kg class, won a silver medal in last month’s World Championships at Budapest was declared number one in his class, after the world body introduced seeding system during the Budapest event.
Punia was seeded No. 3, again a first for any Indian wrestler.“I am happy about the ranking because it reflects India’s overall growth in wrestling. But the real celebration for me will be when I become the Olympic champion,” he said
“ I feel blessed because of the support I has got from all quarters, including from my s fans and the WFI,” said the seasoned Wrestler from Sonepat.
The CWG and Asian Games gold medal winner, who lost in the final World Championship of the 65kg to Japanese Takuto Otoguro, leads the chart with 96 points to take the top perch. The Indian is way ahead of Russian Akhmed Chakaev and Takuto, who is No. 2 and Tauto, placed at No.3. The Russian, who lost to the Japanese in the semi-finals of the Worlds, with 66 points, has managed to push the Japanese, who has a total of 62 points, to the third spot.
Punia’s ranking is based on his international performance throughout the year which included the gold medals at Gold Coast and Jakarta in 2018.