New Delhi: Bajrang Punia, the most outstanding Indian wrestler this season with three gold medals, said Tuesday he has learnt from his mentor Yogeshwar Dutt that the only way to fame is by beating big names.
Punia is in red-hot form having won a gold medal at the Commonwealth Games and followed it up with victories in Tbilisi Grand Prix in Georgia and Yasar Dogu International meet in Istanbul. On paper, he will be India’s best for a gold medal at the Asian Games in Jakarta in men’s freestyle competition.
“Yogeshwar is my role model. He always tells me that ‘you can do it, you are the best’. He will never say that if the opponent is an Olympic champion, you can’t win. He on the other hand will say ‘you have trained well, you are fit, so you can beat anyone. If we beat World Champions, only then the world will acknowledge us and we will make a name’,” Bajrang told this agency.
“Now that he has retired, he has ample time to work with me. He is sharing all his experience and it is helping me. He has competed in four Olympics and he played in same category in which I compete, so this is immensely beneficial for me,” added the 24-year old, who is currently training in Sonepat.
Bajrang, who won a silver medal at the 2014 Incheon Games, said winning three tournaments this season has prepared him well for the Jakarta Games.
“These events have really been good for me ahead of the Asian Games. It has added to my experience. I know which technique I need to use in what situation. I am really confident going into the Asian Games and will try to implement whatever I have learnt this year. I will give my best,” Bajrang, who will compete in 65kg category, asserted.
“No doubt Asian Games is a big event and my target is to win gold there. However, I am looking at a bigger picture… to win a medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics”
Bajrang Punia