Reports : Careful Bajrang Punia to avoid staying at SAI for national camp
Ace Indian wrestler Bajrang Punia has decided to travel 15 kms from home in Sonipat to Bhalgarh where the national camp is going on owing to the risks attached to it. The 24-year-old has also stated that he has a gut feeling about it and won’t be staying at the centre till the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Bhalhgarh, where the national camp centre is set, has previously been in the news two months before the 2016 Rio Olympics when wrestler Narsingh Yadav had tested positive for a banned substance. Yadav had even lodged a complaint with the police then, alleging that his food and water was spiked, and the case is still being investigated by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) with his next hearing scheduled on March 29 in the Delhi High Court.
Punia also confirmed that his decision to stay away from the SAI camp, and instead travel daily from home, has to do with such things in his mind. “My decision is not entirely from the past events but those things did play a role. My home is just 15 kilometres from the SAI centre so I can travel easily. I can trust the food I eat at home and be more carefree,” said Punia, reported Scroll.
The 65kg category wrestler was staying in a three-room quarter at the centre previously but since coming from Dan Kolov wrestling tournament at the beginning of the month, he has decided to leave the camp. However, he has maintained that staying at the camp would be optimal for everyone.
“The national camp always takes place there so it is good to stay at the camp. I just want to be cautious as it’s very important time. One mistake and my career will be finished,” said the 24-year-old who is currently wrestling at the Shaheedi Diwas wrestling tournament in Panipat.
Punia had a brilliant 2018 when he clinched the gold medal at the Commonwealth Games, Asian Games as well as in three United World Wrestling ranking tournaments, which consequently saw him going to the top rank in the 65 kg category. After finishing the year by becoming the first Indian wrestler to win two medals at the World Championships, Punia also remained undefeated in Pro Wrestling League in January and extended his unbeaten streak in the German Wrestling League as well.
The world’s second best wrestler in his category won the gold medal at the Dan Kolov tournament, thereby qualifying for the Asian Championships scheduled in China from April 21-28. He has every reason to be cautioned and has stated that he couldn’t stay at the centre till the 2020 Olympics.
“The risk is there. Nothing has happened now but it was a gut feeling that I should move out till the Olympics. It’s not a long-term plan. I hope no wrestlers has any bad day there,” he added.