Wrestling News: No homecoming for Deepak Punia as COVID-19 cases rise in Delhi

Wrestling News: World medallist Deepak Punia has decided to stay put in his village due to the rise in coronavirus capital in Delhi. He was scheduled to return this week to Chhatrasal Stadium and join Ravi Dahiya and other fellow-wrestlers for the training but with a spike in cases, he has decided to wait for another week. “I have decided that I will wait a little more and monitor the situation before returning to the akhada (Chhatrasal). Maybe I will return next week”.

Also Read in Hindi: Wrestling News: ???? ???? ???? ?????? ?? ??????? ??? ?? ?????

Also Read: Wrestling News: ????? ???? ??? ??, ????? ????? ??? ?? ????? ??? ?? ?? ?? ??? ?????? ?????

The wrestler has been training in his village in Jhajjar since March when the lockdown came into being. But individually training is not enough for Tokyo Olympic preparations. “There is a problem in practice, the only reason for that is the absence of a partner. Yes, individual and weight training is helping me improve my balance but sparring is missing,” he added.

Deepak is amongst the four Indian wrestlers who have confirmed an Olympic quota. Other three being Bajrang Punia, Ravi Dahiya and Vinesh Phogat. The 21-year-old understands the fact that lack of confidence will affect athletes’ form no matter how hard they practice but staying positive is the key in the current situation. “We are not leaving any of our shortcomings unattended in this break we have got. But until we do not compete we will not know where we stand. It will directly affect our form. However, seeing the current situation the only thing we can do is stay positive”.

He is the two times Asian medallist and current 86kg men’s freestyle world silver medallist. Apart from this, Deepak is the only Indian wrestler to win gold at Junior World Championships

Also Read: Wrestling News: ?? ??? ?????? ????? ??? ???? ???? ????? ??, ??? ???? ????? ?? ??? ?????? ?? ????? ????