Deepak Punia Adds Another Feather To His Cap, Named as Best Junior Freestyle Wrestler

World Championship silver medalist Deepak Poonia has been adjudged the Best Junior Freestyle Wrestler of the Year by United World Wrestling (UWW). Poonia performed brilliantly last season and successfully managed to make it from the junior to the senior circuit during this period. Poonia became the first Indian wrestler to win a junior world title in 18 years, performing brilliantly in the season. He then won a silver medal, making his senior World Wrestling Championship debut.

Poonia said, “I am very happy. It is a great honor for me to be selected from all over the world. It is a great source of inspiration for me to improve my performance and give my best. ”

This 18-year-old Indian wrestler was the only Indian to make the final of the World Championship in Noor Sultan. Due to injury, Poonia could not make it to the mat against Iran’s Hassan Yazdani in the final. However, the young Indian grappler made his debut memorable by booking a berth at the Tokyo Olympics 2020 in the 86kg weight category. Due to this spectacular performance, he has reached the number one position in the 86 kg category UWW rankings.

World Cadet 2016 champion Poonia is training hard under the guidance of Murad Gaidarov, the silver medalist of the Beijing Olympics and the 2003 World Championship silver medalist. He said,

“I am quite satisfied with the training I have done for a few days with him so far.” Gaidarov is working hard on my weaknesses. I have worked at my pace and I am getting better. ”

“There is no doubt that my confidence level is improving. I am now more eager and motivated to give my 100 percent to the Tokyo Olympics next year and I am thankful to Tata Motors for taking care of all my needs. ” he added. 

The wrestler from Chhatrasal Stadium in Delhi aims at participating in an exposure trip in Italy and the Asian championships at home in the run-up to the Olympics.