National Games: I desperately wanted to take part in Gujarat 2022, says injured Bajrang Punia

Ahmedabad: Out of the circuit as he is recuperating from a head injury, Olympic and World Championship bronze medallist Bajrang Punia is missing being on the mat at the 36th National Games here.

A freak head injury, resulting in five stitches at the World Championships in Belgrade, ended Bajrang Punia’s chances of participating in Gujarat 2022.

But despite that, the ace grappler made an appearance at the wrestling arena in Mahatma Mandir on Saturday, as a guest.

“The National Games is the only tournament in which I haven’t participated till now. I have been part of many international tournaments, but miss being a part of the National Games. In 2015, I was training in the US and couldn’t be a part, and this time around, the stitches on my head didn’t heal on time,” he said.

“After the World Championship, there was very little time to recover. I desperately wanted to be a part of the Games here,” Bajrang added.

The 28-year-old is highly impressed with the efforts put in by the organisers of the 36th National Games, saying that the standard here matches the international tournaments, he has been a part of.

“Congratulations to Gujarat for grabbing the opportunity to host the National Games with both hands. At the same time, I appreciate the Prime Minister’s effort and his keen interest in sports due to which he came to launch the Games,” he was quoted as saying by the organising committee in a release on Saturday.

The Asian Games gold medallist feels that the National Games will provide the right platform for upcoming players to showcase their talent.

“For the younger players participating in the Games, I believe this will boost their confidence and give them a feel of the international exposure. Even the hotels and the food they are being served is very impressive,” he said.

On the personal front, Punia said that the stitches have healed and he is back to training as preparations for the next Olympic cycle start for the four-time World Championship medallist.

“The injury has gradually healed, and I’m back in training. There are no major immediate tournaments but in 2023, we have the Pro Wrestling League, Asian Championship, World Championship and the Asian Games. The qualifications for the Paris Olympics will start at the Worlds, and the focus has now shifted towards the Olympic cycle,” he said.

“We will be training mostly in India for the next one month or so, before deciding on exposure trips, it could be Russia or the US,” he said before signing off.

–IANS