India’s most celebrated wrestler in the recent past, Bajrang Punia despite winning bronze medal had an average world championship according to his own high standards. Punia failed to make it to the finals of the world championships at Nur-Sultan and that has resulted in him slipping to number 2 in the world ranking charts.
Before the world championships, Bajrang was ranked number 1 in the world in the 65kg weight category but lost out in the semi-finals to local Kazakhstan wrestler in the controversial circumstances. Though recovering in time from disappointing loss, Bajrang did India proud once agains by picking bronze medal at Nur-Sultan. Bajrang defeated Tulga TUMUR OCHIR of Mongolia in the 65kg weight category bronze medal match.
This was Bajrang’s third world championship medal. No Indian has ever won more than 1 medal at the World Championships. Punia won his first medal at the world’s in 2013 and then a silver medal at 2018 world championship, followed by bronze in 2019 at recently concluded world championships.
Recently crowned as world champion, Gadzhimurad Rashidov of Russia has taken Bajrang’s place at the top of ladder with 72 points. Bajrang is number 2 with 63 points.
UWW Rankings – 65kg Freestyle
1) Gadzhimurad Rashidov – Russia (72 points)
2) Bajrang Punia – India (63 points)
3) Haji Ali – Bahrain (44 points)
4) Kilicsallayan – Turkey (44)
5) Daulet Niyazbekov – Kaz (40)