Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award will give me motivation to do well, believes Bajrang Punia

Bajrang Punia is the latest nominee of the country’s highest sporting honour, the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award, after having been recommended for it by a committee comprising of the likes of MC Mary Kom and Bhaichung Bhutia. The 25-year-old is already a past winner of the Arjuna Award having been awarded the same in 2015 and earlier in the year was presented with the Padma Shri, the country’s fourth-highest civilian award.

“Definitely, the award will give me motivation to do well, but I do not link the award with my preparations for the Olympics,” Punia was reported saying by Sportstar.

Punia has won multiple gold medals in the Commonwealth and Asian Wrestling Championships. He is also the reigning Commonwealth and Asian Games champion in the 65 kg category, while having ended runner-up in last year’s World Championships. 

In the present year, he has continued with his streak to be labelled the champion of prestigious tournaments such as the Dan Kolov-Nikola Petrov tournament, Ali Aliev tournament and Tibilis Grand Prix. His accolades make him a major contender for the Olympics in Tokyo and the country will, without a doubt, be pinning its hopes on his shoulders for a medal.

Punia, who had missed out on the Khel Ratna honour last year, said that awards never interfered with his focus on competitions. “The award has its own place and the competitions go on as usual. My preparations for the Olympics have been going on nicely and will continue as per the plan,” Punia concluded.