Bajrang Punia has reached the Tokyo Olympics with a heavy knee that was seriously injured.
His opponents in the men’s Freestyle category 65kg – calculated among the hardest in wrestling – know that this is an opening that they have to get to get better than their continental rivals.
The vulnerable leg defense often causes the fall of the Bajrang in an important attack.
But here he is, competing with smart knees.
So when Indians, the world No.
2 and second seeded, walked out at Makuhari Messe Arena to launch the offer of his gold medal in his debut Olympics on Friday, the three Indians met during his trip to the semi targeting his right knee to the legs.
His last four-stage opponents, three-time world champion Azerbaijan (in 61kg) Haji Aliyev, even dared to do a successful Fitele to him, a circling technique controlled by Mentor Bajrang Yogeshwar Dutt during his competitive days.
Aliyev, Rio 2016 Olympic Bronze Medal (within 57kg), ended Bajrang’s offer for gold-silver from Tokyo after comprehensively defeating him 12-5, executing four impressive Takedown in the CWG champion and the powerful Asian Games.
Losses left Bajrang struggling for bronze through the Repechage round on Saturday.
He is likely to meet Daulet Niyazbekov Kazakhstan, who lost to Bajrang in the 2019 World Championship semifi in Nur-Sultan.
But for that, Kazakh will first have to defeat Adama Diarta Senegal.
In his opening round, Bajrang struggled to close the fight against Ernazar Akmataliev Kyrgyzstan after a 3-1 lead with seconds left all the time.
It was a contest gripping with Kyrgyz who wanted to get his wounded knees and Bajrang just did enough to prevent challenges.
However, Akmataliev flattened scores at 3-3 with two late ‘outside boundaries’ and looking for the last takedown.
But Bajrang survived his steps by scoring the highest goal in the first period – Takedown two points compared to the encouragement of a single point Akmataliev – to win pre-quarterly.
In the quarter against Iran Morteza Ghiated, Bajrang was left to defend his right knee from the beginning of the fight, when his rival surpassed the attack to remove.
Bajrang knew that more than Brawn, would take tactical acuity to sail through an endless attack from his opponent Iran.
After being left behind 1-2, Bajrang awaited the opening of the arrival and, with one vield of land Swift from Ghiasi, clamping a full stretch to score due to falling.
Going with the results of the initial battle, it will always be difficult to Aliyev.
Azerbaijan discovered the scorer zone in the knee who was injured by Bajrang and stepped offensive with four Takedown.
Aliyev led 8-1 when time passed in the second and last period.
Bajrang did try making a comeback but Aliyev did not let the opportunity to slip, write a 12-5 victory that dominated.
Seema Bisla bent previously, the Olympic Journey Seema Bisla ended with the first 3-1 first round of Sarra Hamdi from Tunisia at 50kg pre-quarter-finals.
Tunisia then lost the quarter-final match with a three-time Olympic medalist, Mariya Stadnik from Azerbaijan ended the hope of Repothage Seema.
Tokyo Olympics: Journey of Bajrang Punia in Semis, to fight for bronze
