Bajrang Punia Biography: Bajrang Punia’s Career Overview: Hailing from Khudan Village in Haryana, Bajrang Punia represents India in the freestyle wrestling in 65kg category. Bajrang Punia shot to fame after bagging bronze medal in 2013 Asian Wrestling Championship in 60kg category. He has been one of the biggest names in the Wrestling Circuit lately, having won the numerous laurels in the last couple of years. He regained top spot in the rankings in April 2019 and sits pretty at the top.
Early Life:
Bajrang Bunia took birth on 26th February 1994. He was born in Khudan village of Jhajjar district, in the state of Haryana. Bajrang started playing the sport at the age of seven. It was his father who persuaded him to play the sport and the family had even shifted to Sonipat so that Bajrang could attend a regional centre of Sports Authority of India. Bajrang currently works in Indian Railways for the post of Travel Ticket Examiner.
Professional Life:
Bajrang Punia won the first medal in 2013 Asian Wrestling Championships. He lost to Hwang Ryong-hak of South Korea to settle for the bronze medal in the men’s freestyle 60kg category. He followed it up with a bronze medal in the men’s freestyle 60kg category in the 2013 World Wrestling Championships.
In 2014 Commonwealth Games, Bajrang Punia bagged the silver medal in the men’s freestyle 61 kg category, losing to David Tremblay of Canada.
He also won the silver medal in the 2014 Asian Games in the Men’s 61 kg category. He lost to Iran’s Masoud Esmaeilpoorjouybari 3-1 in the final.
Bajrang Punia won the gold medal at the 2017 Asian Wrestling Championships, held in Delhi. He then won another gold medal in the men’s freestyle 65 kg category in the 2018 Commonwealth Games. In 2018 Asian Games, Punia won the Gold Medal in Men’s freestyle 65 kg category. Bajrang Punia bagged a silver medal in 2018 World Wrestling Championships after which he claimed number one spot in 65kg category.
Personal Life:
Bajrang Punia was born on 26th February 1994 in Khudan Village of Jhajjar, Haryana. He is currently 25-year old. Punia comes from a middle-class family, however, his father has never let money come in between Punia and his dream of becoming the world’s greatest wrestler. Bajrang Punia is unmarried and therefore has no children.
Personal Information
Full Name: Bajrang Punia
Age: 25 years
Date of Birth: 26th February 1994
Hometown: Khudan Village of Jhajjar, Haryana
Zodiac Sign: Pisces
Religion: Hindu
Physical Measurements:
Height: 5’5 inches
Weight: 65kgs
Hair Colour: Black
Eye Colour: Black
Honours:
1. Bajrang Punia won a bronze medal in 2013 Dave Schultz Memorial Tournament.
2. Bajrang Punia bagged a gold medal in 2015 Dave Schultz Memorial Tournament.
3. Bajrang Punia was honoured with Arjuna Award in 2015.
4. Bajrang Punia also won Padma Shri Award in 2019.
Achievements:
1. Bajrang Punia won a bronze medal in 2013 World Championships, held in Budapest. He won the medal in 60kg category.
2. Bajrang Punia won the silver medal in 2018 World Championships, held in Budapest. He bagged the medal in 65 kg category.
3. Bajrang Punia bagged gold in 2018 Asian Games, held in Jakarta.
4. Bajrang Punia won the silver medal in 2014 Asian Games, held in Incheon.
5. Bajrang Punia earned a gold medal in 2018 Commonwealth Games in 65kg category.
6. Bajrang Punia also holds a silver medal in 2014 Commonwealth Games in 61 kg category, held in Glasgow.
7. Bajrang Punia won Bronze in 2013 Asian Championships in 60kg category, held in New Delhi.
8. Bajrang Punia bagged a silver medal in 2014 Asian Championships in 61 kg category.
9. Bajrang Punia won a gold medal in 2017 Asian Championships in 65 kg category, held in New Delhi.
10. Bajrang Punia won a Bronze medal in 2018 Asian Championships in 65kg category, held in Bishkek.
11. Bajrang Punia bagged a gold medal in 2019 Asian Championships in 65 kg category.
12. Bajrang Punia won a gold medal in 2016 Commonwealth Championship in 65kg category, held in Singapore.
13. Bajrang Punia won a gold medal in 2017 Commonwealth Championship in 65kg, held in Brakpan.
Controversy:
Bajrang Punia sparked controversy in 2018 over not considering him for the Khel Ratna award. The Indian wrestler lashed out at the sports ministry for not including his name in the list even after attaining 80 points.
’I don’t understand the logic behind the selections as I stand every chance in the world with eighty points.’ He was even found threatening the Sports body that, he would file a complaint in the court of law seeking probe into the transparency and policy employed in distribution of awards.” He was quoted as saying.
The sports ministry though didn’t respond to the allegations made by Punia and Meerabai Chanu had won the award with only 44 points to her name.
Net Worth:
Indian wrestler, Bajrang Punia’s estimated net worth is suspected to over 2 crores.
Interesting Facts About Bajrang Punia:
1. Bajrang Punia came to the limelight after winning the bronze medal in 2013 Asian Wrestling Championship in 60kg category.
2. Bajrang Punia was bought for a sum of Rs. 29.5 lakhs by Bangalore franchise in the Pro Wrestling League.
3. Bajrang Punia was honoured with the Arjuna Award in the year 2015 and in the same year, he also won a gold medal in Dave Schultz Memorial tournament.
4. In the year 2015, his family shifted to Sonepat so that he can attend training at a regional centre of sports authority of India.
5. He was the most expensive buy-in Pro Wrestling League Season 4 when Punjab Royals picked him for 30 lakhs.