Tokyo, Aug 7 (IANS) Bajrang Punia on Saturday added another chapter to India's glorious history in wrestling history by winning the bronze medal in men's freestyle 65kg, beating Niyazbekov of Kazakhstan 8-0 on points for his first medal at the Olympics.
Congratulations poured in from Politicians, Athletes, and Bollywood actors for Punia via Twitter.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Ram Nath Kovind, and Punjab's Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh all congratulated Punia on his victory.
Well done @BajrangPunia for winning the Bronze Medal in wrestling at the #Olympics and making the country proud with your achievement.
— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) August 7, 2021
His amazing performance in Tokyo demonstrates the skills and perseverance he is blessed with.
भारत को बजरंग पुनिया की उपलब्धि पर नाज़ है!
Delightful news from #Tokyo2020! Spectacularly fought @BajrangPunia. Congratulations to you for your accomplishment, which makes every Indian proud and happy.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 7, 2021
A special moment for Indian wrestling!
— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) August 7, 2021
Congratulations to Bajrang Punia for winning the Bronze at #Tokyo2020. You have distinguished yourself as an outstanding wrestler with untiring efforts, consistency and tenacity over the years. Every Indian shares the joy of your success!
Congratulations Bajrang Punia on winning Olympic bronze medal in 65 kg freestyle wrestling in a splendid fight. You’ve made us all proud. 🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/jhkkbeebH5
— Capt.Amarinder Singh (@capt_amarinder) August 7, 2021
Bollywood actors and actresses Akshay Kumar, Yami Gautam, and Sonali Bendre all expressed their joy over social media for Punia's win.
Another exemplary performance! Congratulations #BajrangPunia on winning the #bronze, you fought like a champion. #Tokyo2020 pic.twitter.com/GwslglX5KM
— Akshay Kumar (@akshaykumar) August 7, 2021
Thrilled to see #TeamIndia win another #Bronze Medal! #BajrangPunia, congratulations! You've done us all proud. 👏🏻#TokyoOlympics2020 #Cheer4India pic.twitter.com/xOVHPSobWC
— Yami Gautam Dhar (@yamigautam) August 7, 2021
It’s time to celebrate again as we win another medal! Congratulations #BajrangPunia 🙌🏽🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/FXiYqAMW2b
— Sonali Bendre Behl (@iamsonalibendre) August 7, 2021
Bajrang Punia 💪🏾 kamaal 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾
— taapsee pannu (@taapsee) August 7, 2021
Boxer Mary Kom and Sports Minister Anurag Thakur both expressed their joy over his win.
My heartiest Congratulations @BajrangPunia for winning bronze medal for India. Well done #Tokyo2020 #Cheer4India
— M C Mary Kom OLY (@MangteC) August 7, 2021
BRONZE 🥉 for BAJRANG !!!
— Anurag Thakur (@ianuragthakur) August 7, 2021
YOU DID IT !
India 🇮🇳 is thrilled beyond words !
I am so proud of you, loved watching your dominating performance and spectacular finish ! #Tokyo2020 @BajrangPunia pic.twitter.com/M1e1pkKQBn
Bajrang, who had lost to Haji Aliyev of Azerbaijan in the semifinals on Friday, came up with a tactical bout as he took early lead in the first period and capitalised with counterattacks when his Kazakh rival, a two-time medallist at the World Championships, went on the attack.
The 27-year-old Punia's bronze medal took India's tally in the Tokyo Olympics to six medals -- two silver and four bronze. Javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra later added a gold to the tally to make it seven medals.
Weightlifter Mirabai Chanu (silver), wrestler Ravi Kumar Dahiya (silver), shutter PV Sindhu (bronze), boxer Lovlina Borgohain (bronze) and the men's hockey team (bronze) are the other medallists for India at Tokyo.
This was India's seventh medal in wrestling -- two silver and five bronze medals. Sushil Kumar (London 2012) and Ravi Kumar Dahiya (Tokyo 2020) won the silver medals, while KD Jadhav (Helsinki 1952), Sushil Kuamr (Beijing 2008), Yogeshwar Dutt (London 2012), Sakshi Malik (Rio 2016) and Bajrang Punia (Tokyo 2020) bagged the bronze medals.
Punia's bout also brought to an end India's campaign in wrestling as they ended with a silver and bronze medal, the same as London in 2012.
Punia, who had opted out of the London Olympics in favour of his mentor Yogeshwar Dutta, finally claimed his first medal in his maiden Olympics, beating Niyazbekov comfortably at the Makuhari Messe Hall on Saturday.
Both wrestlers started the bout cautiously -- Punia a bit circumspect because he had lost to Niyazbekov in the 2019 World Championships semifinals.
However, it was the grappler from Haryana who scored the first point through a passivity penalty on Niyazbekov, who had suffered another heartbreak as he had lost the bronze medal match in 2012.
The Kazakh tried hard to erase the deficit quickly and had Punia on the back foot but the Indian defended well to avert the danger.
Punia doubled his lead just before the end of the first period when he pushed his opponent out of bounds.
Punia could not have defended in the second period because the lead was too less. He dominated the final period and bagged six points, thus sealing the bronze medal.
He went on the counterattack as soon as Niyazbekov went on the offensive. He scored a two-point takedown to make it 4-0 and bagged two more points and followed it up with two more with good defence and counter-attack to seal the bronze medal.