Maintaining weight is a big problem in the world of contact sport and Indian wrestler Bajrang Punia is no alien to this struggle. His coach Shako Bentinidis had recently revealed, the 26-year-old had put on 7kgs amid lockdown which was imposed due to coronavirus outbreak. The reason for this as the Georgian coach explains is “due to no outdoor training like running and other cardio-based exercises.” But Punia is not the first wrestler to face this issue.
Earlier, Tokyo Olympic bound Ravi Dahiya had also revealed that he struggles to keep in the competition weight of 57kgs in which he competes. “My normal weight is around 61kgs and that is where I feel most comfortable,” the Asian champion had said. This raises an important question – Is changing weight categories the best option they have?
Also Read: Greco-Roman wrestling may be excluded from Paris Olympics 2024: Report
While the answer is yes, it still depends on several factors. First, there are some weight categories which are not included in the Olympics. Therefore, a wrestler moves up or down the division to compete at the quadrennial event. Second is, many wrestlers see which weight class would help them achieve the Olympic glory better.
Bajrang Punia — In 65kg or 74kg?
Punia says that he normally weighs around 69kg or 70kg. Hence, he might consider changing the weight category post-Tokyo Games on the condition that his desired class gets included in the Olympics. “I had gained weight in the initial days of the lockdown as there was no mat training. But now since I have started doing it, my weight is normally 69kg or 70kg. After training it drops down even more”, he says. “My main target is the Tokyo Olympics. After it, If the Olympic committee decides to make changes in the weight class, then accordingly I will decide. But if the classes remain the same as they are now, then I will stay in 65kg as I do not find it very difficult to losing weight”.
But which weight class will he move to? And it is Shako who decided to put light on it. He says “If 70kg also becomes an Olympic category, then maybe we might switch. But that is only after the Tokyo Games. For now, all our focus is on winning a medal for India”.
What about Ravi Dahiya?
Dahiya too has thought of moving up to 61kg but awaits the decision of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). He says, “there are talks that IOC is mulling over including some more weight categories in Olympics and if 61kg is included I will definitely move up”.
Both Bajrang and Ravi have qualified for the Tokyo Olympics. They are amongst the four to do so. The other two are Deepak Punia (87kg), and Vinesh Phogat (53kg) who is the only women wrestler to have qualified until now. Olympics will be held next year from July 23 to August 9.
