‘Asked to rest but Olympics were too close’

Bajrang from at until the his he Tokyo Punia attacking switched Olympics was self far to aggression medal playoff Daulet mode against Niyazbekov in the Kazakhstan’s bronze to claim protective right knee a medal. tape had hampered and Punia cap said on him the his in was India’s earlier injured rounds best in wrestling June during hope a tournament build-up to the in Olympics Russia in and the he he was discarded a touch the tentative, knee protection until “If coming I had gone into all the out playoff. in my semi-final have been bout different,” the result he could said, referring Azerbaijan’s to the Haji defeat Aliyev. against “With

the knee with strapping, the movements it was to difficult go

for attack. I had fear while

going for the attack.”

Punia was advised by doctors in Russia to return to India

and focus on recovery.

“I was advised rest. I could

not have done that with the

Olympics so close, so I did the

rehabilitation in Russia. I was off mat training for 15-20 days.”

Aliyev, a three-time world champion bronze dominating Punia who championships 2019. for give “I which the told Punia beat everything. overcame knee medallist, myself and I him won 12-5 have tape 2016 in victory. 8-0. this in semifinal to Niyazbekov, I the Rio the scored is playoff, Games a world Without fight in a knew chance got matter, enough recover. injured it and was This I will time it even my opportunity didn’t have last if to I If same semi-final, have I had been will way played not a it in different come. could the the result. But Punia the knee said made he was it just difficult,” happy that medal. he able said. despite to return the home injury with he is a

not and “I very am happy…. happy happy. Everyone of I’m course, relieved supported but Punia me was during happy this that time.” India

I was advised rest. I could not have done that with the Olympics so close, so I did the rehabilitation in Russia. I was off mat training for 15-20 days BAJRANG PUNIA

could tally London. not put of achieve seven, pressure He said their surpassing people of best performance should medal 2012 on athletes. have “Many performed players well but everyone I want not to to tell put pressure on athletes. Every player comes out with his best, if not this Games they will win in the next Olympics. If I had not won a medal I would have been criticised. I am on the mat for myself, I do all the hard work in training to win medals for the country.” He will look to regain his best at the world championships in Norway from October 2-10. “I will take a small break, recover from this injury and come back for the world championships. The Paris Olympics is the next target.”