Bajrang falls in final, bags silver

Budapest ( Hungary), Oct. 23: Bajrang Punia’s bid to become only the second Indian to win a gold medal at the World Championship fell flat as a tactically superior Takuto Otoguro stunned the Indian in the 65kg final on Monday night.

Only the fourth Indian ever to make it to the World Championship gold medal match, 24- year- old Bajrang was rattled by the 19- year old Otoguro, who consistently attacked the left leg of Indian and emerged a comfortable 169 winner.

Otoguru became Japan’s youngest World Champion at the age of 19. Legendary Yuji Takada, who won gold at 1976 Montreal Olympic Games, had become youngest World Champion from Japan at the age of 20 in 1974.

“It was so near and yet so far. Having reached the final, I expected to win gold but I will have to be satisfied with a silver medal. I am happy to have bettered my bronze medal effort, achieved five years ago at the same venue,” said Bajrang, who is now only Indian with two medals from the World Championship.

A four- point throw gave Otoguro a an early 5- 0 lead, leaving Bajrang to play just a catch- up game. With back- to- back take downs, the Indian reduced the deficit to 4- 5.

The Japanese got more points with a step out and led 7- 6 at the break.

An early take down at the start of second period handed Otoguro a 9- 6 lead. The Japanese kept attacking Bajrang’s left leg, a strategy which the Indian struggled to counter.

The Commonwealth Games and Asian Games gold medallist Bajramg eventually had to settle for a silver, which is his second medal at the Worlds. He had won a bronze won on 2013.

Sushil Kumar, country’s first super star to emerge from the wrestling mat, is the lone Indian to win a gold medal at the Worlds, achieving the feat in 2010 in Moscow in the 66kg category. Apart from Sushil, Amit Dahiya ( 2013) and Bishambar Singh ( 1967) are the other Indians to make it to the world championship final in men’s free style.