Bajrang Punia dedicates gold medal to Abhinandan

Bajrang Punia
Star wrestler Bajrang Punia won gold medal at the Dan Kolov-Nikola Petrov tournament in Ruse, Bulgaria. File photo: PTI

New Delhi: India's star wrestler Bajrang Punia has won the gold medal at the Dan Kolov-Nikola Petrov tournament in Ruse, Bulgaria, and dedicated it to Indian Air Force (IAF) Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman.

Punia, a World Championship silver medallist, overpowered Jordan Oliver of USA 12-3 in the 65kg freestyle final to begin the season on a high in the Bulgarian city. The Indian also secured the maximum ranking points from the tournament.

"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," Punia tweeted after his victory.

Abhinandan returned to India from captivity in Pakistan on Friday night, which is being seen as a major step towards defusing a near-war situation triggered by India's retaliation following the Pulwama terror attack on February 14.

Punia, who bagged the top honour at the Commonwealth Games and the Asian Games last year, has won four gold medals and one silver in his last five tournaments.

This was Punia's 10th medal in as many international tournaments since failing to finish at the podium in the 2017 World Championships in Paris.

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