Sucharita Ganguly

New Delhi, Delhi, India

Pooja Sihag is an Indian freestyle wrestler competing in the 76 kg weight category. Sihag's bronze medal in the women's 76 kg category added to India's growing medal tally at the Commonwealth Games 2022 in Birmingham on Saturday. Sihag won the bronze medal match against Naomi De Bruine of Australia through technical dominance, racing to a 10-0 lead. Also read: Commonwealth Games 2022: Pooja Sihag claims bronze medal in wrestling,Sihag began her CWG quest in England with a points victory over New Zealand's Michelle Montague in her first bout in the 76 kg category. The Indian grappler outscored her opponent 5-3, with four of her points coming in the second phase of action, helping her advance to the event's semi-finals. But her fortunes reversed in the last four, as she lost her place in the gold medal match to Canadian wrestler Justina Di Stasio. Di Stasio won the point battle over Sihag, scoring six points while preventing the Indian from opening her account. Also read: Commonwealth Games 2022: Naveen Kumar bags wrestling gold medal,She is from the Indian city of Hansi in Haryana. ,Sihag began wrestling as a 13-year-old in 2011. Pooja Sihag started wrestling to stay fit, but it quickly became a passion for her. At the junior Asian Championships, she took home four medals, three bronze, and one silver. Sihag won the silver medal in the Commonwealth Youth Games in South Africa in 2017. Also read: India women's cricket team's journey in Commonwealth Games 2022,Sihag won bronze in the Women's 76 kg category at the Asian Wrestling Championship in Almaty in 2021. With Sihag's CWG victory, India extended their reign in wrestling after starting the event strong with gold medalists Bajrang Punia, Sakshi Malik, and Deepak Punia. Anshu Malik won a silver medal in the women's 50 kg event, while Divya Kakran and Mohit Grewal both took silver.

{\"time\":1659813158500,\"strCount\":3171,\"blocks\":[{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Pooja Sihag is an <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/indian/\\\">Indian</a> freestyle wrestler competing in the 76 kg weight category. <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/commonwealth-games-2022-pooja-sihag-claims-bronze-medal-in-wrestling-719936/\\\">Sihag's bronze medal</a> in the women's 76 kg category added to India's growing medal tally at the <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/commonwealth-games-2022-5-indian-athletes-to-look-out-for-702948/\\\">Commonwealth Games 2022</a> in <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/birmingham/\\\">Birmingham</a> on Saturday.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Sihag won the bronze medal match against Naomi De Bruine of <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/australia/\\\">Australia</a> through technical dominance, racing to a 10-0 lead.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Also read:&nbsp;<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/commonwealth-games-2022-pooja-sihag-claims-bronze-medal-in-wrestling-719936/\\\">Commonwealth Games 2022: Pooja Sihag claims bronze medal in wrestling</a>\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Sihag began her CWG quest in <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/england/\\\">England</a> with a points victory over New Zealand's Michelle Montague in her first bout in the 76 kg category. The Indian grappler outscored her opponent 5-3, with four of her points coming in the second phase of action, helping her advance to the event's semi-finals.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"But her fortunes reversed in the last four, as she lost her place in the gold medal match to Canadian wrestler Justina Di Stasio.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Di Stasio won the point battle over Sihag, scoring six points while preventing the Indian from opening her account.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Also read:&nbsp;<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/commonwealth-games-2022-naveen-kumar-bags-wrestling-gold-medal-719917/\\\">Commonwealth Games 2022: Naveen Kumar bags wrestling gold medal</a>\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"She is from the Indian city of Hansi in <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/haryana/\\\">Haryana</a>.&nbsp;\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Sihag began wrestling as a 13-year-old in 2011. Pooja Sihag started wrestling to stay fit, but it quickly became a passion for her. At the junior <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/asian/\\\">Asian</a> Championships, she took home four medals, three bronze, and one silver. Sihag won the silver medal in the Commonwealth Youth Games in South Africa in 2017.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Also read:&nbsp;<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/india-womens-cricket-teams-journey-in-commonwealth-games-2022-719721/\\\">India women's cricket team's journey in Commonwealth Games 2022</a>\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Sihag won bronze in the Women's 76 kg category at the Asian Wrestling Championship in Almaty in 2021.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"With Sihag's CWG victory, India extended their reign in wrestling after starting the event strong with gold medalists <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/who-is-commonwealth-games-2022-gold-medal-winner-bajrang-punia-105832/\\\">Bajrang Punia</a>, <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/who-is-sakshi-malik-707944/\\\">Sakshi Malik</a>, and <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/who-is-deepak-punia-719202/\\\">Deepak Punia</a>. <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/who-is-anshu-malik-708746/\\\">Anshu Malik</a> won a silver medal in the women's 50 kg event, while <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/who-is-divya-kakran-719071/\\\">Divya Kakran</a> and <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/who-is-mohit-grewal-719249/\\\">Mohit Grewal</a> both took silver.\"}}]}

<ul>
  <li>Pooja Sihag is an Indian freestyle wrestler</li>
  <li>She competes in the 76 kg weight category</li>
  <li>She won the bronze medal in the women's 76 kg category at the CWG 2022</li>
</ul>

Opoyi Central

Who is Pooja Sihag?

CommonwealthGames2022

Wrestling

PoojaSihag

indian

Birmingham

Australia

England

Haryana

Asian

SouthAfrica

BajrangPunia

SakshiMalik

AnshuMalik

DivyaKakran

MohitGrewal

India

World

Sports

Sourav Neogi

Birmingham, UK

The Indian wrestling contingent reigned supreme on Saturday once again, as Naveen Kumar became the second wrestler of the day to win a gold medal in men’s 74kg freestyle wrestling at the Commonwealth Games 2022. The 19-year-old also marked India’s sixth gold medal in wrestling, after Bajrang Punia, Sakshi Malik, Deepak Punia, Vinesh Phogat and Ravi Kumar Dahiya. Naveen Kumar defeated Pakistani wrestler Muhammad Sharif Tahir in the final on Saturday, August 6, to help India claim its fifth wrestling gold medal of the day and 12th overall. He beat Tahir 9-0 in the match, becoming the second Indian wrestler at the ongoing edition of the mega event to defeat a Pakistani opponent in the final. Also Read: India women's cricket team's journey in Commonwealth Games 2022,The Indian wrestler was one of the youngest members of the Indian contingent participating in the Commonwealth Games 2022. However, he did not disappoint or let his age come in between as he began with a strong showing against famous Nigerian wrestler Ogbonna Emmanuel John in the pre-quarterfinal, defeating him 13-3. ,Naveen displayed his superior techniques once again, as he beat Hong Yeow Lou of Singapore in the quarterfinal by technical superiority and qualified for the semifinals. England’s Charlie Bowling failed to stop his medal bid as well, falling to Naveen by 12-1 technical superiority. Also Read: Commonwealth Games 2022: Avinash Sable wins silver in 3000 metre steeplechase,The teenager faced Pakistani wrestler Muhammad Sharif Tahir in the final of the event and emerged victorious (9-0), without dropping a single point. This also marked India’s 10th overall wrestling medal, equalling the record of weightlifting (10) at the ongoing event. The youngster also won India’s third wrestling gold medal on Saturday, after Ravi Kumar Dahiya and Vinesh Phogat in their respective categories. The country’s overall medal tally has now climbed to 34, including 12 gold medals and they sit at the fifth position behind Australia, England, Canada and New Zealand.

{\"time\":1659808968060,\"strCount\":3006,\"blocks\":[{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"The <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/indian/\\\">Indian</a> wrestling contingent reigned supreme on Saturday once again, as Naveen Kumar became the second wrestler of the day to win a gold medal in men’s 74kg freestyle wrestling at the <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/india-at-commonwealth-games-a-brief-history-711730/\\\">Commonwealth Games 2022</a>. The 19-year-old also marked India’s sixth gold medal in wrestling, after <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/who-is-commonwealth-games-2022-gold-medal-winner-bajrang-punia-105832/\\\">Bajrang Punia</a>, <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/who-is-sakshi-malik-707944/\\\">Sakshi Malik</a>, <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/who-is-deepak-punia-719202/\\\">Deepak Punia</a>, <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/who-is-vinesh-phogat-567536/\\\">Vinesh Phogat</a> and <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/who-is-ravi-kumar-dahiya-397407/\\\">Ravi Kumar Dahiya</a>.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Naveen Kumar defeated Pakistani wrestler Muhammad Sharif Tahir in the final on Saturday, August 6, to help India claim its fifth wrestling gold medal of the day and 12th overall. He beat Tahir 9-0 in the match, becoming the second Indian wrestler at the ongoing edition of the mega event to defeat a Pakistani opponent in the final.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Also Read:&nbsp;<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/india-womens-cricket-teams-journey-in-commonwealth-games-2022-719721/\\\">India women's cricket team's journey in Commonwealth Games 2022</a>\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"The Indian wrestler was one of the youngest members of the Indian contingent participating in the Commonwealth Games 2022. However, he did not disappoint or let his age come in between as he began with a strong showing against famous Nigerian wrestler Ogbonna Emmanuel John in the pre-quarterfinal, defeating him 13-3. \"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Naveen displayed his superior techniques once again, as he beat Hong Yeow Lou of <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/singapore/\\\">Singapore</a> in the quarterfinal by technical superiority and qualified for the semifinals. England’s Charlie Bowling failed to stop his medal bid as well, falling to Naveen by 12-1 technical superiority.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Also Read:&nbsp;<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/commonwealth-games-2022-avinash-sable-wins-silver-in-3000-metre-steeplechase-719655/\\\">Commonwealth Games 2022: Avinash Sable wins silver in 3000 metre steeplechase</a>\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"The teenager faced Pakistani wrestler Muhammad Sharif Tahir in the final of the event and emerged victorious (9-0), without dropping a single point. This also marked India’s 10th overall wrestling medal, equalling the record of weightlifting (10) at the ongoing event.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"The youngster also won India’s third wrestling gold medal on Saturday, after Ravi Kumar Dahiya and Vinesh Phogat in their respective categories. The country’s overall medal tally has now climbed to 34, including 12 gold medals and they sit at the fifth position behind <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/australia/\\\">Australia</a>, <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/england/\\\">England</a>, <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/canada/\\\">Canada</a> and New Zealand.\"}}]}

<ul>
  <li>Naveen Kumar won the gold medal in men's 74kg wrestling at the CWG 2022</li>
  <li>He beat Pakistani wrestler Muhammad Sharif Tahir in the final</li>
  <li>It was also the 19-year-old's maiden Commonwealth Games medal&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

Commonwealth Games 2022: Naveen Kumar bags wrestling gold medal

NaveenKumar

DeepakPunia

RaviKumarDahiya

Singapore

VineshPhogat

Canada

Newzealand

Wrestling contributed six more medals to India's tally at the Commonwealth Games 2022 on another victorious day for the country. Indian wrestlers were in top form, with gold medals going to Bajrang Punia, Sakshi Malik, and Deepak Punia. However, there were heartbreaks as the Indian women's hockey team was eliminated in the semifinals by Australia. On Friday, Manika Batra was bested, while Hima Das also had a bad day. Also read: Watch: Bajrang Punia claims India’s first wrestling gold medal at CWG 2022,WRESTLING,Six Indian wrestlers contested at the Commonwealth Games 2022, and all six of them won medals. Olympic gold medalists Bajrang Punia and Sakshi Malik, as well as youthful Deepak Punia, won gold, while Anshu Malik took silver. As Indian wrestlers maintained their domination at the Commonwealth Games, Divya Kakran and Mohit Grewal earned bronze medals. BADMINTON,Lakshya Sen of India continued his stellar run at the Commonwealth Games with an easy win on Friday, advancing him to the men's singles quarterfinals. Aakarshi Kashyap also won convincingly, joining Sen, Kidambi Srikanth, and PV Sindhu in the last eight stages. Sindhu will now compete in the following round against Malaysia's Goh Jin Wei for a place in the semifinals. In his quarterfinal encounter, former World No. 1 Srikanth will face England's Toby Penty. Also read: Commonwealth Games 2022: Mohit Grewal continues streak, wins bronze in wrestling,Sen and Kashyap will face Mauritius' Paul Julien Georges and Scotland's Kristy Gilmour in the quarterfinals. TABLE TENNIS,Manika Batra's title defence in women's singles table tennis was cut short when she was eliminated in the quarter-finals of the Commonwealth Games 2022 in Birmingham. In the last-eight round, Singapore's Jian Zeng defeated Manika in straight games. Achanta Sharath Kamal, on the other hand, reached his third semi-final of this year's Commonwealth Games. He initially defeated Liam Pitchford and Tin-Tin Ho with Sreeja Akula, then Tom Jarvis and Sam Walker with Sathiyan Gnanasekaran. ATHLETICS,Hima Das narrowly lost out on a spot in the women's 200m final after finishing 10th overall in the semi-final at the Commonwealth Games 2022 on Friday, August 5. Hima narrowly missed out on the final spot by 0-01 seconds. Hima Das came in third place in the second of three heats in the women's 100m semi-final. Ella Conolly of Australia got second place and the automatic qualifying slot in Semi-final Heat 2 with a time of 23.42s. Also read: Commonwealth Games 2022: Divya Kakran hands India fifth wrestling medal, wins bronze,LAWN BOWLS,After reaching the final, the men's fours team ensured India of a second lawn bowls title at the Commonwealth Games 2022 in Birmingham, UK. Sunil Bahadur, Navneet Singh, Chandan Kumar Singh, and Dinesh Kumar's men's fours team defeated England 13-12 in a tough and thrilling semi-final at Victoria Park. The Indian men's fours lawn bowls team will now compete in the final against Northern Ireland on Saturday. ATHLETICS,Muhammed Anas Yahiya, Noah Nirmal Tom, Mohammed Ajmal, and Amoj Jacob of India recorded 3:06.97 to place second in the heats and reach the final at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games 2022. PARA TABLE TENNIS,Bhavina Hasmukhbhai Patel secured a medal at the Commonwealth Games 2022 after defeating England's Sue Bailey in the final of the women's para table tennis singles (classes 3-5). Patel, a silver medalist at the Paralympics in Tokyo, won her match in straight sets, 11-6, 11-6, 11-6. Also read: Commonwealth Games 2022: Deepak Punia beats 86kg defending champion, secures India’s third wrestling gold,HOCKEY,The Indian women's hockey team was eliminated in the semifinals after a bitter 3-0 shootout loss to Australia after the game ended 1-1 in regular time. Australia's goal came from Rebecca Grenier, while India's came from Vandana Katariya. The Indian eves failed to score on any of their three attempts in the shootout. On Sunday, they will compete for bronze against New Zealand. SQUASH,Dipika Pallikal Karthik and Saurav Ghosal advanced to the semifinals of the mixed doubles event at the Commonwealth Games. In the quarterfinals, the Indian duo defeated Rachael Grinham and Zac Alexander of Australia 11-9 11-5. Also read: CWG 2022: Sakshi Malik claims India’s second wrestling gold medal,In the women's doubles, defending world champions Joshana Chinappa and Dipika were defeated 0-2 by Malaysians Yiwen Chan and Ainaa Ampandi. Velavan Senthil Kumar and Abhay Singh also had a successful day at the workplace, advancing to the quarterfinals of the men's doubles event with a 2-1 win over Scotland's Douglas Kempsell and Alan Clyne. In the round of 16, the Indian pair defeated the Scottish pair 8-11 11-10 11-8.

{\"time\":1659751286119,\"strCount\":6434,\"blocks\":[{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Wrestling contributed six more medals to India's tally at the Commonwealth Games 2022 on another victorious day for the country.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/indian/\\\">Indian</a> wrestlers were in top form, with gold medals going to <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/who-is-commonwealth-games-2022-gold-medal-winner-bajrang-punia-105832/\\\">Bajrang Punia</a>, <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/who-is-sakshi-malik-707944/\\\">Sakshi Malik</a>, and <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/who-is-deepak-punia-719202/\\\">Deepak Punia</a>. However, there were heartbreaks as the Indian women's hockey team was eliminated in the semifinals by <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/australia/\\\">Australia</a>.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"On Friday, <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/who-is-manika-batra-581285/\\\">Manika Batra</a> was bested, while <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/who-is-hima-das-707212/\\\">Hima Das</a> also had a bad day.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Also read:&nbsp;<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/watch-bajrang-punia-claims-indias-first-wrestling-gold-medal-at-cwg-2022-719270/\\\">Watch: Bajrang Punia claims India’s first wrestling gold medal at CWG 2022</a>\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"WRESTLING\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Six Indian wrestlers contested at the Commonwealth Games 2022, and all six of them won medals. Olympic gold medalists Bajrang Punia and Sakshi Malik, as well as youthful Deepak Punia, won gold, while Anshu Malik took silver.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"As Indian wrestlers maintained their domination at the Commonwealth Games, <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/who-is-divya-kakran-719071/\\\">Divya Kakran</a> and <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/who-is-mohit-grewal-719249/\\\">Mohit Grewal</a> earned bronze medals.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"BADMINTON\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/who-is-lakshya-sen-481939/\\\">Lakshya Sen</a> of India continued his stellar run at the Commonwealth Games with an easy win on Friday, advancing him to the men's singles quarterfinals. Aakarshi Kashyap also won convincingly, joining Sen, Kidambi Srikanth, and PV Sindhu in the last eight stages.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Sindhu will now compete in the following round against Malaysia's Goh Jin Wei for a place in the semifinals. In his quarterfinal encounter, former World No. 1 Srikanth will face England's Toby Penty.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Also read:&nbsp;<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/commonwealth-games-2022-mohit-grewal-continues-streak-wins-bronze-in-wrestling-719254/\\\">Commonwealth Games 2022: Mohit Grewal continues streak, wins bronze in wrestling</a>\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Sen and Kashyap will face Mauritius' Paul Julien Georges and Scotland's Kristy Gilmour in the quarterfinals.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"TABLE TENNIS\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Manika Batra's title defence in women's singles table tennis was cut short when she was eliminated in the quarter-finals of the Commonwealth Games 2022 in <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/birmingham/\\\">Birmingham</a>. In the last-eight round, Singapore's Jian Zeng defeated Manika in straight games.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Achanta Sharath Kamal, on the other hand, reached his third semi-final of this year's Commonwealth Games. He initially defeated Liam Pitchford and Tin-Tin Ho with Sreeja Akula, then Tom Jarvis and Sam Walker with Sathiyan Gnanasekaran.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"ATHLETICS\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/who-is-hima-das-707212/\\\">Hima Das </a>narrowly lost out on a spot in the women's 200m final after finishing 10th overall in the semi-final at the Commonwealth Games 2022 on Friday, August 5. Hima narrowly missed out on the final spot by 0-01 seconds.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Hima Das came in third place in the second of three heats in the women's 100m semi-final. Ella Conolly of Australia got second place and the automatic qualifying slot in Semi-final Heat 2 with a time of 23.42s.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Also read:&nbsp;<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/commonwealth-games-2022-divya-kakran-hands-india-fifth-wrestling-medal-wins-bronze-719244/\\\">Commonwealth Games 2022: Divya Kakran hands India fifth wrestling medal, wins bronze</a>\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"LAWN BOWLS\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"After reaching the final, the men's fours team ensured India of a <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/lawn-bowls-gold-indian-women-stage-stunning-comeback-with-17-10-to-defeat-south-africa-716102/\\\">second lawn bowls title</a> at the Commonwealth Games 2022 in Birmingham, UK.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Sunil Bahadur, Navneet Singh, Chandan Kumar Singh, and Dinesh Kumar's men's fours team defeated <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/england/\\\">England</a> 13-12 in a tough and thrilling semi-final at Victoria Park. The Indian men's fours lawn bowls team will now compete in the final against Northern Ireland on Saturday.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"ATHLETICS\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Muhammed Anas Yahiya, Noah Nirmal Tom, Mohammed Ajmal, and Amoj Jacob of India recorded 3:06.97 to place second in the heats and reach the final at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games 2022.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"PARA TABLE TENNIS\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Bhavina Hasmukhbhai Patel secured a medal at the Commonwealth Games 2022 after defeating England's Sue Bailey in the final of the women's para table tennis singles (classes 3-5).\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Patel, a silver medalist at the Paralympics in Tokyo, won her match in straight sets, 11-6, 11-6, 11-6.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Also read:&nbsp;<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/commonwealth-games-2022-deepak-punia-beats-86kg-defending-champion-secures-indias-third-wrestling-gold-719212/\\\">Commonwealth Games 2022: Deepak Punia beats 86kg defending champion, secures India’s third wrestling gold</a>\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"HOCKEY\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"The Indian women's hockey team was eliminated in the semifinals after a bitter 3-0 shootout loss to Australia after the game ended 1-1 in regular time.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Australia's goal came from Rebecca Grenier, while India's came from Vandana Katariya.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"The Indian eves failed to score on any of their three attempts in the shootout. On Sunday, they will compete for bronze against New Zealand.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"SQUASH\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Dipika Pallikal Karthik and <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/who-is-saurav-ghosal-717042/\\\">Saurav Ghosal</a> advanced to the semifinals of the mixed doubles event at the Commonwealth Games.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"In the quarterfinals, the Indian duo defeated Rachael Grinham and Zac Alexander of Australia 11-9 11-5.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Also read:&nbsp;<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/cwg-2022-sakshi-malik-claims-indias-second-wrestling-gold-medal-719193/\\\">CWG 2022: Sakshi Malik claims India’s second wrestling gold medal</a>\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"In the women's doubles, defending world champions Joshana Chinappa and Dipika were defeated 0-2 by Malaysians Yiwen Chan and Ainaa Ampandi.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Velavan Senthil Kumar and Abhay Singh also had a successful day at the workplace, advancing to the quarterfinals of the men's doubles event with a 2-1 win over Scotland's Douglas Kempsell and Alan Clyne.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"In the round of 16, the Indian pair defeated the Scottish pair 8-11 11-10 11-8.\"}}]}

<ul>
  <li>Wrestling contributed six more medals to India's tally at the Commonwealth Games 2022</li>
  <li>Bajrang Punia, Sakshi Malik, and Deepak Punia won gold medals</li>
  <li>Indian women's hockey team was eliminated in the semifinals by Australia</li>
</ul>

Commonwealth Games 2022: Indian wrestlers shine, heartbreak for hockey on Day 8

CommonwealthGames

HimaDas

Scotland

ManikaBatra

KidambiSrikanth

PVSindhu

Indian star boxer and Tokyo Olympics bronze medallist Bajrang Punia scripted history when he became the first Indian wrestler to win the gold medal at Commonwealth Games 2022 on August 5. The 28-year-old defeated Canadian wrestler Lachlan McNeil 9-2 to clinch the gold medal. The wrestler’s gold medal win helped India to topple South Africa in the medal count with 23 medals. However, by the end of the night, four more wrestlers won medals at the Commonwealth Games 2022, taking India’s total tally to 26 and at the fifth spot in the table behind Australia, England, Canada and New Zealand. Also Read: Commonwealth Games 2022: Deepak Punia beats 86kg defending champion, secures India’s third wrestling gold,It was also Bajrang Punia’s third medal at the Commonwealth Games. The star Indian wrestler made his games debut in the 2014 Glasgow edition, where he won the silver medal after being defeated by Canadian David Tremblay in the final of the 61kg event. Watch Bajrang Punia’s gold medal-winning moment here:,However, since then he has switched to the 65kg category and won consecutive gold medals at the Commonwealth Games in 2018 and 2022, defeating Kane Charig of Wales and Lachlan McNeil of Canada in respective editions. Bajrang Punia was one of India’s brightest medal hopes at the Commonwealth Games 2022. He began his campaign with a win over Lowe Bingham of Nauru in the pre-quarterfinals in less than two minutes. The wrestler continued his winning form in the quarterfinals, where he beat Jean Guyliane Joris Bandou of Mauritius, before toppling George Ramm of England in the semifinals. Also Read: Commonwealth Games 2022: Mohit Grewal continues streak, wins bronze in wrestling,Punia faced Canada’s Lachlan McNeil in the final of the event. While the Canadian wrestler displayed some effort, it was not enough to stop Bajrang on his road to winning the gold medal. He beat McNeil 9-2 in the final, becoming the first Indian wrestler to win a gold medal at the Commonwealth Games 2022. Following his victory, Sakshi Malik and Deepak Punia also claimed gold medals in wrestling in their respective events on Friday.

{\"time\":1659732135544,\"strCount\":3144,\"blocks\":[{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/indian/\\\">Indian</a> star boxer and Tokyo Olympics bronze medallist <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/who-is-commonwealth-games-2022-gold-medal-winner-bajrang-punia-105832/\\\">Bajrang Punia</a> scripted history when he became the first Indian wrestler to win the gold medal at <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/commonwealth-games-2022-major-sporting-events-excluded-703089/\\\">Commonwealth Games 2022</a> on August 5. The 28-year-old defeated Canadian wrestler Lachlan McNeil 9-2 to clinch the gold medal.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"The wrestler’s gold medal win helped India to topple South Africa in the medal count with 23 medals. However, by the end of the night, four more wrestlers won medals at the Commonwealth Games 2022, taking India’s total tally to 26 and at the fifth spot in the table behind <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/australia/\\\">Australia</a>, <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/england/\\\">England</a>, <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/canada/\\\">Canada</a> and New Zealand.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Also Read:&nbsp;<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/commonwealth-games-2022-deepak-punia-beats-86kg-defending-champion-secures-indias-third-wrestling-gold-719212/\\\">Commonwealth Games 2022: Deepak Punia beats 86kg defending champion, secures India’s third wrestling gold</a>\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"It was also Bajrang Punia’s third medal at the Commonwealth Games. The star Indian wrestler made his games debut in the 2014 Glasgow edition, where he won the silver medal after being defeated by Canadian David Tremblay in the final of the 61kg event.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Watch Bajrang Punia’s gold medal-winning moment here:\"}},{\"type\":\"embed\",\"data\":{\"service\":\"others\",\"source\":\"<div class=\\\"others-embed\\\"><blockquote class=\\\"twitter-tweet\\\"><p lang=\\\"en\\\" dir=\\\"ltr\\\">Bajrang punia won gold medal for India in commonwealth games 2022<a href=\\\"https://twitter.com/hashtag/wrestling?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\\\">#wrestling</a> <a href=\\\"https://twitter.com/hashtag/BajrangPunia?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\\\">#BajrangPunia</a> <a href=\\\"https://twitter.com/hashtag/DeepakPunia?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\\\">#DeepakPunia</a> <a href=\\\"https://t.co/JtJ68Zy69L\\\">pic.twitter.com/JtJ68Zy69L</a></p>&mdash; Ramniwas Choudhary (@Ramniwa28210738) <a href=\\\"https://twitter.com/Ramniwa28210738/status/1555635960401895424?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\\\">August 5, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src=\\\"https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js\\\" charset=\\\"utf-8\\\"></script></div>\",\"embed\":\"<div class=\\\"others-embed\\\"><blockquote class=\\\"twitter-tweet\\\"><p lang=\\\"en\\\" dir=\\\"ltr\\\">Bajrang punia won gold medal for India in commonwealth games 2022<a href=\\\"https://twitter.com/hashtag/wrestling?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\\\">#wrestling</a> <a href=\\\"https://twitter.com/hashtag/BajrangPunia?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\\\">#BajrangPunia</a> <a href=\\\"https://twitter.com/hashtag/DeepakPunia?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\\\">#DeepakPunia</a> <a href=\\\"https://t.co/JtJ68Zy69L\\\">pic.twitter.com/JtJ68Zy69L</a></p>&mdash; Ramniwas Choudhary (@Ramniwa28210738) <a href=\\\"https://twitter.com/Ramniwa28210738/status/1555635960401895424?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\\\">August 5, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src=\\\"https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js\\\" charset=\\\"utf-8\\\"></script></div>\",\"caption\":\"\",\"aspectRatio\":null}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"However, since then he has switched to the 65kg category and won consecutive gold medals at the Commonwealth Games in 2018 and 2022, defeating Kane Charig of <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/wales/\\\">Wales</a> and Lachlan McNeil of Canada in respective editions.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Bajrang Punia was one of India’s brightest medal hopes at the <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/india-at-commonwealth-games-a-brief-history-711730/\\\">Commonwealth Games 2022</a>. He began his campaign with a win over Lowe Bingham of Nauru in the pre-quarterfinals in less than two minutes. The wrestler continued his winning form in the quarterfinals, where he beat Jean Guyliane Joris Bandou of <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/mauritius/\\\">Mauritius</a>, before toppling George Ramm of England in the semifinals.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Also Read:&nbsp;<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/commonwealth-games-2022-mohit-grewal-continues-streak-wins-bronze-in-wrestling-719254/\\\">Commonwealth Games 2022: Mohit Grewal continues streak, wins bronze in wrestling</a>\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Punia faced Canada’s Lachlan McNeil in the final of the event. While the Canadian wrestler displayed some effort, it was not enough to stop Bajrang on his road to winning the gold medal. He beat McNeil 9-2 in the final, becoming the first Indian wrestler to win a gold medal at the Commonwealth Games 2022.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Following his victory, <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/who-is-sakshi-malik-707944/\\\">Sakshi Malik</a> and <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/who-is-deepak-punia-719202/\\\">Deepak Punia</a> also claimed gold medals in wrestling in their respective events on Friday.\"}}]}

<ul>
  <li>Bajrang Punia won the gold medal in men's 65kg freestyle wrestling category on August 5</li>
  <li>It is his third medal at the Commonwealth Games&nbsp;</li>
  <li>Bajrang defeated Canadian wrestler Lachlan McNeil 9-2 in the final on Friday</li>
</ul>

Watch: Bajrang Punia claims India’s first wrestling gold medal at CWG 2022

TokyoOlympics

Wales

Mauritius

Indian wrestler Mohit Grewal continued the country’s streak of winning wrestling medals at the Commonwealth Games 2022, as he bagged the bronze medal in the men’s 125kg freestyle event on Friday, August 5. The 23-year-old defeated Jamaican wrestler Aaron Johnson in a victory by fall (VFA) (6-0) to bag the bronze medal at the Coventry Arena. Mohit’s bronze means that India has now won six medals in wrestling, including three gold medals. It is also the country’s second bronze medal at the ongoing Commonwealth Games 2022 after Divya Kakran won another in the women’s 68kg category. It is also the first CWG medal in the career of Mohit Grewal, who made his games debut in Birmingham this year. Also Read: Commonwealth Games 2022: Divya Kakran hands India fifth wrestling medal, wins bronze,Apart from Mohit and Divya, Anshu Malik (silver), Bajrang Punia (gold), Sakshi Malik (gold), and Deepak Punia (gold) have won medals in wrestling at the ongoing edition of the mega event. Mohit’s medal victory means India’s total tally now stands at 26, including eight gold medals, at the fifth spot in the table behind Australia, England, Canada and New Zealand. The youngster rose as a surprise medal contender for India, however, began brightly. He beat Alexios Kaouslidis of Cyprus 10-1 in the quarterfinal to begin his campaign. It was followed by an unfortunate 12-2 defeat in the semifinal for the Indian youngster against Amarveer Dhesi of Canada, who forced Grewal to advance to the bronze medal match instead. Also Read: Commonwealth Games 2022: Deepak Punia beats 86kg defending champion, secures India’s third wrestling gold,Mohit faced Jamaica’s Aaron Johnson in the bronze medal match, whom he beat by VFA (6-0) to win his first bronze medal at the Commonwealth Games. He also handed the Indian wrestling contingent its sixth medal at the event. Friday’s showing by the Indian wrestlers at the Commonwealth Games 2022 means that the discipline has become the second most successful sport for the country in the ongoing edition of the tournament with six medals, following weightlifting (10 medals) at the top.

{\"time\":1659730408679,\"strCount\":3288,\"blocks\":[{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/indian/\\\">Indian</a> wrestler <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/who-is-mohit-grewal-719249/\\\">Mohit Grewal</a> continued the country’s streak of winning wrestling medals at the <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/commonwealth-games-2022-major-sporting-events-excluded-703089/\\\">Commonwealth Games 2022</a>, as he bagged the bronze medal in the men’s 125kg freestyle event on Friday, August 5. The 23-year-old defeated Jamaican wrestler Aaron Johnson in a victory by fall (VFA) (6-0) to bag the bronze medal at the Coventry Arena.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Mohit’s bronze means that India has now won six medals in wrestling, including three gold medals. It is also the country’s second bronze medal at the ongoing Commonwealth Games 2022 after <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/who-is-divya-kakran-719071/\\\">Divya Kakran</a> won another in the women’s 68kg category. It is also the first CWG medal in the career of Mohit Grewal, who made his games debut in <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/birmingham/\\\">Birmingham</a> this year.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Also Read:&nbsp;<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/commonwealth-games-2022-divya-kakran-hands-india-fifth-wrestling-medal-wins-bronze-719244/\\\">Commonwealth Games 2022: Divya Kakran hands India fifth wrestling medal, wins bronze</a>\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Apart from Mohit and Divya, <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/who-is-anshu-malik-708746/\\\">Anshu Malik</a> (silver), <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/who-is-commonwealth-games-2022-gold-medal-winner-bajrang-punia-105832/\\\">Bajrang Punia</a> (gold), <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/who-is-sakshi-malik-707944/\\\">Sakshi Malik</a> (gold), and <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/who-is-deepak-punia-719202/\\\">Deepak Punia</a> (gold) have won medals in wrestling at the ongoing edition of the mega event. Mohit’s medal victory means India’s total tally now stands at 26, including eight gold medals, at the fifth spot in the table behind <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/australia/\\\">Australia</a>, <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/england/\\\">England</a>, <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/canada/\\\">Canada</a> and New Zealand.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"The youngster rose as a surprise medal contender for India, however, began brightly. He beat Alexios Kaouslidis of Cyprus 10-1 in the quarterfinal to begin his campaign. It was followed by an unfortunate 12-2 defeat in the semifinal for the Indian youngster against Amarveer Dhesi of Canada, who forced Grewal to advance to the bronze medal match instead.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Also Read:&nbsp;<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/commonwealth-games-2022-deepak-punia-beats-86kg-defending-champion-secures-indias-third-wrestling-gold-719212/\\\">Commonwealth Games 2022: Deepak Punia beats 86kg defending champion, secures India’s third wrestling gold</a>\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Mohit faced Jamaica’s Aaron Johnson in the bronze medal match, whom he beat by VFA (6-0) to win his first bronze medal at the Commonwealth Games. He also handed the Indian wrestling contingent its sixth medal at the event.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Friday’s showing by the Indian wrestlers at the <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/india-at-commonwealth-games-a-brief-history-711730/\\\">Commonwealth Games</a> 2022 means that the discipline has become the second most successful sport for the country in the ongoing edition of the tournament with six medals, following weightlifting (10 medals) at the top.\"}}]}

<ul>
  <li>Mohit Grewal won the bronze medal in men's 125kg freestyle wrestling event at CWG 2022</li>
  <li>It was India's sixth medal in wrestling at the mega event</li>
  <li>The victory also marked Mohit's first medal at the Commonwealth Games</li>
</ul>

Commonwealth Games 2022: Mohit Grewal continues streak, wins bronze in wrestling

Jamaica

The Indian wrestling team had a field day at the office as Divya Kakran became the fifth Indian wrestler to win a medal at the Commonwealth Games 2022. The 23-year-old clinched the bronze medal in the women’s 68kg freestyle wrestling event at the CWG 2022 on Friday, August 5. Kakran’s bronze medal means that India has won five medals in wrestling, including three gold medals at the ongoing edition of the Commonwealth Games. Anshu Malik began the haul with a silver medal in the women’s 57kg category, followed by Bajrang Punia (gold), Sakshi Malik (gold) and Deepak Punia (gold). The win also helped India’s total tally to rise to 26 medals, in the fifth position behind Australia, England, Canada and New Zealand. Also Read: Commonwealth Games 2022: Deepak Punia beats 86kg defending champion, secures India’s third wrestling gold,The 23-year-old is one of the most consistent performers in the national and international circuits. However, she was beaten in the quarterfinals by Nigerian wrestler Blessing Oborodudu, forcing her to go through the repechage round. Divya defeated Cameroonian wrestler Blandine Nyeh Ngiri with a victory by fall VFA (4-0), which helped her to advance to the bronze medal match. The Indian ace beat Tonga’s Tiger Lily Cocker Lemalie in the bronze medal match by another VFA (2-0), helping India to add another wrestling medal. The young Indian wrestler trailed by two points in the initial moments of the match. However, she made a counter to a similar move by her opponent to lay her down on the mat and register a VFA win. Also Read: Commonwealth Games 2022: Bajrang Punia wins gold medal in wrestling,The Indian athlete is one of the most talked about female wrestlers in the country, having won a total of 61 medals on the national and international stages. The bronze medal that she won at the Commonwealth Games, is her second one at the mega event as she won another bronze at the 2018 edition in Gold Coast, Australia. She has also won multiple medals at the Asian Games, Asian Championships and Commonwealth Championships in her career.

{\"time\":1659727351563,\"strCount\":3049,\"blocks\":[{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"The <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/indian/\\\">Indian</a> wrestling team had a field day at the office as <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/who-is-divya-kakran-719071/\\\">Divya Kakran</a> became the fifth Indian wrestler to win a medal at the <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/commonwealth-games-2022-full-list-of-indian-athletes-702443/\\\">Commonwealth Games 2022</a>. The 23-year-old clinched the bronze medal in the women’s 68kg freestyle wrestling event at the CWG 2022 on Friday, August 5.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Kakran’s bronze medal means that India has won five medals in wrestling, including three gold medals at the ongoing edition of the Commonwealth Games. Anshu Malik began the haul with a silver medal in the women’s 57kg category, followed by <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/who-is-commonwealth-games-2022-gold-medal-winner-bajrang-punia-105832/\\\">Bajrang Punia</a> (gold), <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/who-is-sakshi-malik-707944/\\\">Sakshi Malik</a> (gold) and <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/who-is-deepak-punia-719202/\\\">Deepak Punia</a> (gold). The win also helped India’s total tally to rise to 26 medals, in the fifth position behind <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/australia/\\\">Australia</a>, <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/england/\\\">England</a>, <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/canada/\\\">Canada</a> and New Zealand.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Also Read:&nbsp;<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/commonwealth-games-2022-deepak-punia-beats-86kg-defending-champion-secures-indias-third-wrestling-gold-719212/\\\">Commonwealth Games 2022: Deepak Punia beats 86kg defending champion, secures India’s third wrestling gold</a>\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"The 23-year-old is one of the most consistent performers in the national and international circuits. However, she was beaten in the quarterfinals by Nigerian wrestler Blessing Oborodudu, forcing her to go through the repechage round.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Divya defeated Cameroonian wrestler Blandine Nyeh Ngiri with a victory by fall VFA (4-0), which helped her to advance to the bronze medal match. The Indian ace beat Tonga’s Tiger Lily Cocker Lemalie in the bronze medal match by another VFA (2-0), helping India to add another wrestling medal.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"The young Indian wrestler trailed by two points in the initial moments of the match. However, she made a counter to a similar move by her opponent to lay her down on the mat and register a VFA win.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Also Read:&nbsp;<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/commonwealth-games-2022-bajrang-punia-wins-gold-medal-in-wrestling-719127/\\\">Commonwealth Games 2022: Bajrang Punia wins gold medal in wrestling</a>\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"The Indian athlete is one of the most talked about female wrestlers in the country, having won a total of 61 medals on the national and international stages. The bronze medal that she won at the <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/india-at-commonwealth-games-a-brief-history-711730/\\\">Commonwealth Games</a>, is her second one at the mega event as she won another bronze at the 2018 edition in Gold Coast, Australia. She has also won multiple medals at the Asian Games, Asian Championships and Commonwealth Championships in her career.\"}}]}

<ul>
  <li>Divya Kakran won the bronze medal in women's 68kg event at CWG 2022</li>
  <li>She handed India its fifth wrestling medal at the mega event</li>
  <li>Divya has now won 61 medals in her wrestling career&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

Commonwealth Games 2022: Divya Kakran hands India fifth wrestling medal, wins bronze

Deepak Punia made history as he defeated 86kg defending champion in men’s freestyle wrestling, Muhammad Inam of Pakistan, in the final at the Commonwealth Games 2022. He defeated Inam 3-0 in the final of the CWG 2022 on Friday, August 5, clinching his first medal at the mega event. The 23-year-old faced stark competition from the defending champion, however, he rose supreme by beating Muhammad Inam 3-0 in the match. His victory means that Punia has now delivered India its third gold medal in wrestling at the Commonwealth Games 2022. His win also increased India’s tally to 24, including nine gold medals, helping the country leapfrog Scotland to the fifth spot in the table. Also Read: Commonwealth Games 2022: Bajrang Punia wins gold medal in wrestling,Deepak Punia began his Commonwealth Games 2022 campaign strongly, defeating Matthew Oxenham of New Zealand in the pre-quarterfinals by technical superiority. He continued his good form in the quarterfinal when he beat Sheku Kassegbama of Sierra Leone by technical superiority once again, advancing to the semifinals. The young Indian wrestler knocked Canadian wrestler Alexander Moore in the semifinal in a 3-1 win. Punia faced Pakistan Muhammad Inam, who was also the defending champion in the category, in the final. After a tough competition, Deepak defeated his Pakistani opponent 3-0, clinching the gold medal. Also Read: CWG 2022: Sakshi Malik claims India’s second wrestling gold medal,He became the third Indian wrestler to win the gold medal at the ongoing Commonwealth Games 2022 after Bajrang Punia and Sakshi Malik bagged the first two. He is also the fourth Indian wrestler to win a medal at the CWG 2022, and his victory over the defending champion in the final only added to the glory of the Indian wrestling contingent. At the time of writing this article, Divya Kakran won the bronze medal at her event, becoming the fifth Indian wrestler to win a medal at the tournament. This means that Mohit Grewal remains the final Indian wrestler in contention to win a medal at the mega event, who will face Aaron Johnson of Jamaica in the bronze medal match.

{\"time\":1659725468100,\"strCount\":3010,\"blocks\":[{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/who-is-deepak-punia-719202/\\\">Deepak Punia</a> made history as he defeated 86kg defending champion in men’s freestyle wrestling, Muhammad Inam of <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/pakistan/\\\">Pakistan</a>, in the final at the <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/commonwealth-games-2022-major-sporting-events-excluded-703089/\\\">Commonwealth Games 2022</a>. He defeated Inam 3-0 in the final of the <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/india-at-commonwealth-games-a-brief-history-711730/\\\">CWG 2022</a> on Friday, August 5, clinching his first medal at the mega event.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"The 23-year-old faced stark competition from the defending champion, however, he rose supreme by beating Muhammad Inam 3-0 in the match. His victory means that Punia has now delivered India its third gold medal in wrestling at the Commonwealth Games 2022. His win also increased India’s tally to 24, including nine gold medals, helping the country leapfrog <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/scotland/\\\">Scotland</a> to the fifth spot in the table.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Also Read:&nbsp;<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/commonwealth-games-2022-bajrang-punia-wins-gold-medal-in-wrestling-719127/\\\">Commonwealth Games 2022: Bajrang Punia wins gold medal in wrestling</a>\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Deepak Punia began his Commonwealth Games 2022 campaign strongly, defeating Matthew Oxenham of New Zealand in the pre-quarterfinals by technical superiority. He continued his good form in the quarterfinal when he beat Sheku Kassegbama of Sierra Leone by technical superiority once again, advancing to the semifinals.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"The young <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/indian/\\\">Indian</a> wrestler knocked Canadian wrestler Alexander Moore in the semifinal in a 3-1 win. Punia faced Pakistan Muhammad Inam, who was also the defending champion in the category, in the final. After a tough competition, Deepak defeated his Pakistani opponent 3-0, clinching the gold medal.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Also Read:&nbsp;<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/cwg-2022-sakshi-malik-claims-indias-second-wrestling-gold-medal-719193/\\\">CWG 2022: Sakshi Malik claims India’s second wrestling gold medal</a>\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"He became the third Indian wrestler to win the gold medal at the ongoing Commonwealth Games 2022 after <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/who-is-commonwealth-games-2022-gold-medal-winner-bajrang-punia-105832/\\\">Bajrang Punia</a> and <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/who-is-sakshi-malik-707944/\\\">Sakshi Malik</a> bagged the first two. He is also the fourth Indian wrestler to win a medal at the CWG 2022, and his victory over the defending champion in the final only added to the glory of the Indian wrestling contingent.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"At the time of writing this article, <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/who-is-divya-kakran-719071/\\\">Divya Kakran</a> won the bronze medal at her event, becoming the fifth Indian wrestler to win a medal at the tournament. This means that Mohit Grewal remains the final Indian wrestler in contention to win a medal at the mega event, who will face Aaron Johnson of Jamaica in the bronze medal match.\"}}]}

<ul>
  <li>Deepak Punia won the gold medal in men';s 86kg freestyle wrestling on August 5</li>
  <li>It was also India's third wrestling gold medal at the mega event</li>
  <li>The victory also marked the 23-year-old's first medal at the Commonwealth Games&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

Commonwealth Games 2022: Deepak Punia beats 86kg defending champion, secures India’s third wrestling gold

Pakistan

SierraLeone

Sakshi Malik touched yet another milestone in her career as she won the gold medal in women’s 62kg freestyle wrestling at the Commonwealth Games 2022 on Friday, August 5. She defeated Ana Godinez Gonzalez of Canada by Victory by Fall (VFA) after the score became 4-4. Malik helped India to clinch its second gold medal in wrestling, after Bajrang Punia won the first. Her victory also means that India has now won three wrestling medals at the Commonwealth Games 2022, along with 23 total medals. It is also her third medal at the Commonwealth Games as she had won a silver and a bronze medal at the 2014 and 2018 editions respectively. Also Read: Commonwealth Games 2022: Bajrang Punia wins gold medal in wrestling,She began her Commonwealth Games 2022 campaign on a strong note, defeating Kelsey Barnes of England by VFA (10-0) in the quarterfinals. Malik continued her impressive performance in the semifinals as well, beating Cameroonian wrestler Berthe Etane Ngolle by technical superiority to qualify for the final. However, the final became challenging for the Indian star wrestler, who trailed 4-0 at a point of the match against Ana Godinez Gonzalez of Canada. However, she was able to mount a comeback, making the score 4-4. She then won the game by VFA to win the gold medal, her first in her career at the mega event. Also Read: Commonwealth Games 2022: Anshu Malik bags silver medal in wrestling,Friday was a good day at the office for the Indian wrestling contingent. Before Sakshi Malik won the gold medal, Anshu Malik began the day with a silver medal and Bajrang Punia added to the tally with another gold medal. Another wrestler, Deepak Punia has already ensured a medal and will be looking to clinch the gold to keep the streak going. ,On the other hand, Mohit Grewal and Divya Kakran are also scheduled to compete in the bronze medal match, which could take India’s tally much higher.

{\"time\":1659722757871,\"strCount\":2833,\"blocks\":[{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/who-is-sakshi-malik-707944/\\\">Sakshi Malik</a> touched yet another milestone in her career as she won the gold medal in women’s 62kg freestyle wrestling at the <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/commonwealth-games-2022-major-sporting-events-excluded-703089/\\\">Commonwealth Games 2022</a> on Friday, August 5. She defeated Ana Godinez Gonzalez of <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/canada/\\\">Canada</a> by Victory by Fall (VFA) after the score became 4-4.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/malik/\\\">Malik</a> helped India to clinch its second gold medal in wrestling, after <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/who-is-commonwealth-games-2022-gold-medal-winner-bajrang-punia-105832/\\\">Bajrang Punia</a> won the first. Her victory also means that India has now won three wrestling medals at the Commonwealth Games 2022, along with 23 total medals. It is also her third medal at the <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/india-at-commonwealth-games-a-brief-history-711730/\\\">Commonwealth Games</a> as she had won a silver and a bronze medal at the 2014 and 2018 editions respectively.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Also Read:&nbsp;<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/commonwealth-games-2022-bajrang-punia-wins-gold-medal-in-wrestling-719127/\\\">Commonwealth Games 2022: Bajrang Punia wins gold medal in wrestling</a>\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"She began her Commonwealth Games 2022 campaign on a strong note, defeating Kelsey Barnes of <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/england/\\\">England</a> by VFA (10-0) in the quarterfinals. Malik continued her impressive performance in the semifinals as well, beating Cameroonian wrestler Berthe Etane Ngolle by technical superiority to qualify for the final.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"However, the final became challenging for the <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/indian/\\\">Indian</a> star wrestler, who trailed 4-0 at a point of the match against Ana Godinez Gonzalez of Canada. However, she was able to mount a comeback, making the score 4-4. She then won the game by VFA to win the gold medal, her first in her career at the mega event.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Also Read:&nbsp;<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/commonwealth-games-2022-anshu-malik-bags-silver-medal-in-wrestling-719115/\\\">Commonwealth Games 2022: Anshu Malik bags silver medal in wrestling</a>\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Friday was a good day at the office for the Indian wrestling contingent. Before Sakshi Malik won the gold medal, <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/who-is-anshu-malik-708746/\\\">Anshu Malik</a> began the day with a silver medal and Bajrang Punia added to the tally with another gold medal. Another wrestler, Deepak Punia has already ensured a medal and will be looking to clinch the gold to keep the streak going. \"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"On the other hand, Mohit Grewal and <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/who-is-divya-kakran-719071/\\\">Divya Kakran</a> are also scheduled to compete in the bronze medal match, which could take India’s tally much higher.\"}}]}

<ul>
  <li>Sakshi Malik won the gold medal in women's 62kg freestyle wrestling at the CWG 2022</li>
  <li>It is also her third medal at the Commonwealth Games</li>
  <li>She defeated Ana Godinez Gonzalez by victory by fall (VFA) to clinch the medal</li>
</ul>

CWG 2022: Sakshi Malik claims India’s second wrestling gold medal

Malik

Indian star boxer and Tokyo Olympics bronze medallist Bajrang Punia made headlines when he beat Canadian Lachlan McNeil in the final of the men’s 65kg freestyle wrestling at the Commonwealth Games 2022 on Friday. The 28-year-old dominated the entire match, defeating McNeil with a score of 9-2 to claim the gold medal on August 5. It was also India’s first gold medal in wrestling after Anshu Malik was defeated in the women’s 57kg category final earlier on the night. Bajrang’s victory helped India to increase its medal tally to 22, equalling South Africa and climb to the sixth position in the table. Also Read: Watch: Bajrang Punia's technical superiority win to qualify for CWG 2022 wrestling final,The win over Canadian wrestler Lachlan McNeil also marked Bajrang Punia’s third medal at the Commonwealth Games. He had won a silver medal in the 2014 edition of the mega event, which he followed with a gold in Gold Coast, Australia in 2018. It was also the second time in his career when he faced a Canadian wrestler in the final of the Commonwealth Games, however, did not repeat his mistakes from the Glasgow edition as he cruised to the gold medal comfortably. Bajrang Punia started his Commonwealth Games 2022 campaign on a strong note, defeating Lowe Bingham of Nauru in the pre-quarterfinals under two minutes. He continued his impressive performance against Jean Guyliane Joris Bandou of Mauritius in the quarterfinal, before beating Englishman George Ramm by technical superiority under a minute in the semifinals. Also Read: Commonwealth Games 2022: Anshu Malik bags silver medal in wrestling,Bajrang Punia has been one of India’s most dependable figures in top international events. He had also won a bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics, when he defeated Daulet Niyazbekov of Kazakhstan. After the gold and silver medal hauls of Bajrang Punia and Anshu Malik, Deepak Punia will take the centre stage when he competes in the men’s 86kg final against defending champion Muhammad Inam of Pakistan.

{\"time\":1659720802692,\"strCount\":2784,\"blocks\":[{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/indian/\\\">Indian</a> star boxer and Tokyo Olympics bronze medallist <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/who-is-bajrang-punia-105832/\\\">Bajrang Punia</a> made headlines when he beat Canadian Lachlan McNeil in the final of the men’s 65kg freestyle wrestling at the <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/commonwealth-games-2022-major-sporting-events-excluded-703089/\\\">Commonwealth Games 2022</a> on Friday. The 28-year-old dominated the entire match, defeating McNeil with a score of 9-2 to claim the gold medal on August 5.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"It was also India’s first gold medal in wrestling after Anshu Malik was defeated in the women’s 57kg category final earlier on the night. Bajrang’s victory helped India to increase its medal tally to 22, equalling South Africa and climb to the sixth position in the table.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Also Read:&nbsp;<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/watch-bajrang-punias-technical-superiority-win-to-qualify-for-cwg-2022-wrestling-final-719011/\\\">Watch: Bajrang Punia's technical superiority win to qualify for CWG 2022 wrestling final</a>\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"The win over Canadian wrestler Lachlan McNeil also marked Bajrang Punia’s third medal at the Commonwealth Games. He had won a silver medal in the 2014 edition of the mega event, which he followed with a gold in Gold Coast, Australia in 2018. It was also the second time in his career when he faced a Canadian wrestler in the final of the Commonwealth Games, however, did not repeat his mistakes from the Glasgow edition as he cruised to the gold medal comfortably.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Bajrang Punia started his Commonwealth Games 2022 campaign on a strong note, defeating Lowe Bingham of Nauru in the pre-quarterfinals under two minutes. He continued his impressive performance against Jean Guyliane Joris Bandou of Mauritius in the quarterfinal, before beating Englishman George Ramm by technical superiority under a minute in the semifinals.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Also Read:&nbsp;<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/commonwealth-games-2022-anshu-malik-bags-silver-medal-in-wrestling-719115/\\\">Commonwealth Games 2022: Anshu Malik bags silver medal in wrestling</a>\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Bajrang Punia has been one of India’s most dependable figures in top international events. He had also won a <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/tokyo-olympics-bajrang-punia-takes-home-the-bronze-medal-in-wrestling-335814/\\\">bronze medal</a> at the <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/arigato-tokyo-for-giving-us-heartwarming-moments-in-sports-to-remember-521416/\\\">Tokyo Olympics</a>, when he defeated Daulet Niyazbekov of Kazakhstan.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"After the gold and silver medal hauls of Bajrang Punia and <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/who-is-anshu-malik-708746/\\\">Anshu Malik</a>, Deepak Punia will take the centre stage when he competes in the men’s 86kg final against defending champion Muhammad Inam of Pakistan.\"}}]}

<ul>
  <li>Bajrang Punia won the gold medal in men's 65kg category in freestyle wrestling</li>
  <li>It is the third Commonwealth Games medal in Punia's career</li>
  <li>The 28-year-old also won the bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics</li>
</ul>

Commonwealth Games 2022: Bajrang Punia wins gold medal in wrestling

Bajrang Punia, 27, is a freestyle wrestler who hails from Haryana, like many of his fellow wrestlers. Punia's wrestling journey started when he was seven and his father decided to send him to a local mud wrestling school. His journey from age seven to 27 is a tale of ups and downs, sacrifices and dreams coming true. ,He is the only Indian wrestler to have won three medals at the World Wrestling Championship. Punia also won a bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics. He continued his success by clinching his third Commonwealth Games medal at the 2022 edition in Birmingham. ,Commonwealth Games 2022: Anshu Malik bags silver medal in wrestling,Born on February 26, 1994, in a Jat family in Khudan village of Haryana's Jhajjar district, Bajrang Punia's interest in wrestling kept growing once he started frequenting the mud wrestling school. He soon started bunking his regular school to spend more time wrestling. Slowly, recognition and medals started flowing in. However, achievements come with sacrifices. To give his 100% to the sport, Punia has shunned all distractions. He has never been to a cinema hall, has never gone out sightseeing while on tours, and seldom uses his cell phone. Even his social media accounts are handled by his friend . There are a lot of things I wanted to do but controlled myself,” the grappler had once said. He got his first cell phone in 2017, to stay in touch with his mentor and ace wrestler Yogeshwer Dutt. Punia's consistency has been his greatest asset and has pushed him to world No. 1 ranking. At 19, Punia won a bronze medal in the 60-kg category in the World Wrestling Championship 2013. This was followed by a silver in the Commonwealth Games in the men’s 61-kg category in 2014. This performance was repeated in the Asian Games in the same year. Again, in 2014, Punia bagged a silver medal at the Asian Wrestling Championship. ,Also Read: Watch: Bajrang Punia's technical superiority win to qualify for CWG 2022 wrestling final,He finally got his first gold medal at the 2017 Asian Wrestling Championship in Delhi. Followed it up with another gold at the Commonwealth Games in 2018 in freestyle 65-kg category. He completed a hat-trick of gold medals in the same year at the Asian Games. ,His world number 1 ranking in the 65-kg category came after he pocketed a silver medal at the 2018 World Wrestling Championship. His ticket to Tokyo Olympics 2020 came in the form of a bronze medal at the 2019 World Championship.

{\"time\":1659720226633,\"strCount\":3222,\"blocks\":[{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Bajrang Punia, 27, is a freestyle wrestler who hails from <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/haryana/\\\">Haryana</a>, like many of his fellow wrestlers. Punia's <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topic/wrestling\\\">wrestling </a>journey started when he was seven and his father decided to send him to a local mud wrestling school. His journey from age seven to 27 is a tale of ups and downs, sacrifices and dreams coming true. \"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"He is the only <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/indian/\\\">Indian</a> wrestler to have won three medals at the World Wrestling Championship. Punia also won a bronze medal at the&nbsp;<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/search/all/TokyoOlympics\\\">Tokyo Olympics</a>. He continued his success by clinching his third <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/india-at-commonwealth-games-a-brief-history-711730/\\\">Commonwealth Games</a> medal at the 2022 edition in <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/birmingham/\\\">Birmingham</a>.&nbsp;\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/commonwealth-games-2022-anshu-malik-bags-silver-medal-in-wrestling-719115/\\\">Commonwealth Games 2022: Anshu Malik bags silver medal in wrestling</a>\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Born on February 26, 1994, in a Jat family in Khudan village of Haryana's Jhajjar district, <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topic/BajrangPunia\\\">Bajrang Punia's </a>interest in wrestling kept growing once he started frequenting the mud wrestling school. He soon started bunking his regular school to spend more time wrestling. Slowly, recognition and medals started flowing in.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"However, achievements come with sacrifices. To give his 100% to the sport, Punia has shunned all distractions. He has never been to a cinema hall, has never gone out sightseeing while on tours, and seldom uses his cell phone. Even his social media accounts are handled by his friend . \\\"There are a lot of things I wanted to do but controlled myself,” the grappler had once said.\"}},{\"type\":\"embed\",\"data\":{\"service\":\"others\",\"source\":\"<div class=\\\"others-embed\\\"><blockquote class=\\\"twitter-tweet\\\"><p lang=\\\"en\\\" dir=\\\"ltr\\\">HATTRICK FOR BAJRANG AT CWG 🔥🔥🔥<br><br>Tokyo Olympics 🥉medalist, 3 time World C&#39;ships medalist <a href=\\\"https://twitter.com/BajrangPunia?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\\\">@BajrangPunia</a> is on winning streak 🔥🔥 to bag his 3rd consecutive medal at <a href=\\\"https://twitter.com/hashtag/CommonwealthGames?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\\\">#CommonwealthGames</a> 🥇 🥇🥈<br><br>Utter dominance by Bajrang (M-65kg) to win 🥇 <a href=\\\"https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cheer4India?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\\\">#Cheer4India</a> <a href=\\\"https://twitter.com/hashtag/India4CWG2022?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\\\">#India4CWG2022</a> <br>1/1 <a href=\\\"https://t.co/MmWqoV6jMw\\\">pic.twitter.com/MmWqoV6jMw</a></p>&mdash; SAI Media (@Media_SAI) <a href=\\\"https://twitter.com/Media_SAI/status/1555597321940787202?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\\\">August 5, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src=\\\"https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js\\\" charset=\\\"utf-8\\\"></script></div>\",\"embed\":\"<div class=\\\"others-embed\\\"><blockquote class=\\\"twitter-tweet\\\"><p lang=\\\"en\\\" dir=\\\"ltr\\\">HATTRICK FOR BAJRANG AT CWG 🔥🔥🔥<br><br>Tokyo Olympics 🥉medalist, 3 time World C&#39;ships medalist <a href=\\\"https://twitter.com/BajrangPunia?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\\\">@BajrangPunia</a> is on winning streak 🔥🔥 to bag his 3rd consecutive medal at <a href=\\\"https://twitter.com/hashtag/CommonwealthGames?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\\\">#CommonwealthGames</a> 🥇 🥇🥈<br><br>Utter dominance by Bajrang (M-65kg) to win 🥇 <a href=\\\"https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cheer4India?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\\\">#Cheer4India</a> <a href=\\\"https://twitter.com/hashtag/India4CWG2022?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\\\">#India4CWG2022</a> <br>1/1 <a href=\\\"https://t.co/MmWqoV6jMw\\\">pic.twitter.com/MmWqoV6jMw</a></p>&mdash; SAI Media (@Media_SAI) <a href=\\\"https://twitter.com/Media_SAI/status/1555597321940787202?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\\\">August 5, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src=\\\"https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js\\\" charset=\\\"utf-8\\\"></script></div>\",\"caption\":\"\",\"aspectRatio\":null}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"He got his first cell phone in 2017, to stay in touch with his mentor and ace wrestler Yogeshwer Dutt.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Punia's consistency has been his greatest asset and has pushed him to world No. 1 ranking. At 19, Punia won a bronze medal in the 60-kg category in the World Wrestling Championship 2013. This was followed by a silver in the Commonwealth Games in the men’s 61-kg category in 2014. This performance was repeated in the Asian Games in the same year. Again, in 2014, Punia bagged a silver medal at the Asian Wrestling Championship.&nbsp;\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Also Read:&nbsp;<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/watch-bajrang-punias-technical-superiority-win-to-qualify-for-cwg-2022-wrestling-final-719011/\\\">Watch: Bajrang Punia's technical superiority win to qualify for CWG 2022 wrestling final</a>\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"He finally got his first gold medal at the 2017 Asian Wrestling Championship in <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/delhi/\\\">Delhi</a>. Followed it up with another gold at the Commonwealth Games in 2018 in freestyle 65-kg category. He completed a hat-trick of gold medals in the same year at the Asian Games.&nbsp;\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"His world number 1 ranking in the 65-kg category came after he pocketed a silver medal at the 2018 World Wrestling Championship. His ticket to <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/tokyo/\\\">Tokyo</a> Olympics 2020 came in the form of a bronze medal at the 2019 World Championship.\"}}]}

Gargi Kaul

<ul>
  <li>Bajrang Punia won the gold medal in men's 65kg freestyle wrestling in CWG 2022</li>
  <li>Punia's started wrestling at seven when his father sent him to a local mud wrestling school</li>
  <li>He is also a bronze medal winner at the Tokyo Olympics</li>
</ul>

Who is Commonwealth Games 2022 gold medal winner Bajrang Punia?

Delhi

WorldWrestlingChampionship

Tokyo

Indian star wrestler Anshu Malik claimed the silver medal in the final of women’s 57kg freestyle wrestling at the Commonwealth Games 2022, after she was beaten 7-3 by Odunayo Folasade Adekuoroye of Nigeria in the final on Friday, August 5. The 21-year-old also became the first Indian wrestler to win a medal at the ongoing mega event, however, several other wrestlers have also ensured a medal in their respective categories. Anshu also helped India to win its 21st medal at the Commonwealth Games 2022, including the eighth silver medal. However, the Indian wrestling contingent is in contention to win more medals at the mega event, with Bajrang Punia, Deepak Punia and Sakshi Malik all having confirmed a medal at the event. Also Read: Who is Divya Kakran?,Anshu began her Commonwealth Games 2022 campaign on a positive note as she defeated Irene Symeonidis of Australia by technical superiority in the quarterfinal. Having qualified for the semifinal of her category, the Indian star wrestler registered another technical superiority win over Sri Lanka’s Nethmi Poruthotage in the semis and advanced to the final. However, she could not overcome the challenge of Nigerian wrestler Odunayo Folasade Adekuoroye in the final, who beat her in a tough match, defeating Malik 7-3 on Friday. Also Read: Watch: Bajrang Punia's technical superiority win to qualify for CWG 2022 wrestling final,However, despite her silver medal win, she displayed a string of memorable performances on the mat in Birmingham, winning a medal in her CWG debut. Anshu Malik was also part of the Indian wrestling contingent at the Tokyo Olympics, where she came close to winning the bronze medal, however, was beaten by Russian Olympic Committee’s (ROC) Valeria Koblova in the repechage round. Other Indian wrestlers such as Bajrang Punia, Deepak Punia and Sakshi Malik have confirmed medals at the Commonwealth Games 2022. Meanwhile, Divya Kakran and Mohit Grewal are also in contention to win bronze medals at their respective categories mega event, should they emerge victorious in their next match.

{\"time\":1659718501508,\"strCount\":2779,\"blocks\":[{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/indian/\\\">Indian</a> star wrestler <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/who-is-anshu-malik-708746/\\\">Anshu Malik</a> claimed the silver medal in the final of women’s 57kg freestyle wrestling at the <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/commonwealth-games-2022-major-sporting-events-excluded-703089/\\\">Commonwealth Games 2022</a>, after she was beaten 7-3 by Odunayo Folasade Adekuoroye of Nigeria in the final on Friday, August 5. The 21-year-old also became the first Indian wrestler to win a medal at the ongoing mega event, however, several other wrestlers have also ensured a medal in their respective categories.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Anshu also helped India to win its 21st medal at the Commonwealth Games 2022, including the eighth silver medal. However, the Indian wrestling contingent is in contention to win more medals at the mega event, with <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/who-is-bajrang-punia-105832/\\\">Bajrang Punia</a>, Deepak Punia and <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/who-is-sakshi-malik-707944/\\\">Sakshi Malik</a> all having confirmed a medal at the event.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Also Read:&nbsp;<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/who-is-divya-kakran-719071/\\\">Who is Divya Kakran?</a>\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Anshu began her <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/india-at-commonwealth-games-a-brief-history-711730/\\\">Commonwealth Games 2022</a> campaign on a positive note as she defeated Irene Symeonidis of <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/australia/\\\">Australia</a> by technical superiority in the quarterfinal. Having qualified for the semifinal of her category, the Indian star wrestler registered another technical superiority win over Sri Lanka’s Nethmi Poruthotage in the semis and advanced to the final.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"However, she could not overcome the challenge of Nigerian wrestler Odunayo Folasade Adekuoroye in the final, who beat her in a tough match, defeating Malik 7-3 on Friday.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Also Read:&nbsp;<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/watch-bajrang-punias-technical-superiority-win-to-qualify-for-cwg-2022-wrestling-final-719011/\\\">Watch: Bajrang Punia's technical superiority win to qualify for CWG 2022 wrestling final</a>\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"However, despite her silver medal win, she displayed a string of memorable performances on the mat in Birmingham, winning a medal in her CWG debut. Anshu Malik was also part of the Indian wrestling contingent at the Tokyo Olympics, where she came close to winning the bronze medal, however, was beaten by Russian Olympic Committee’s (ROC) Valeria Koblova in the repechage round.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Other Indian wrestlers such as Bajrang Punia, Deepak Punia and Sakshi Malik have confirmed medals at the Commonwealth Games 2022. Meanwhile, Divya Kakran and Mohit Grewal are also in contention to win bronze medals at their respective categories mega event, should they emerge victorious in their next match.\"}}]}

<ul>
  <li>Anshu Malik won a silver medal in women's 57kg freestyle wrestling at CWG 2022</li>
  <li>She also won India's 21st overall medal at the mega event</li>
  <li>She was beaten by Nigerian wrestler Odunayo Folasade Adekuoroye in the final of her category</li>
</ul>

Commonwealth Games 2022: Anshu Malik bags silver medal in wrestling

SriLanka

Bajrang Punia brought out his best self at the Commonwealth Games 2022 on August 5, when he defeated George Ramm of England 10-0 to qualify for the final of men’s 65kg wrestling. The victory also ensured at least a silver medal for the Indian star wrestler at the mega event, who has often been dubbed as one of India’s best in the sport. The 28-year-old began the day positively when he beat Lowe Bingham of Nauru 4-0 in the pre-quarterfinals and advanced to the quarterfinals. He continued his impressive performance against Jean Guyliane Joris Bandou of Mauritius in the quarters, defeating him 6-0 to reach the semifinals. Also Read: Commonwealth Games 2022: Indian weightlifting contingent to be felicitated on August 6,However, it was at the semifinals when Punia brought out his best self, defeating Englishman George Ramm 10-0 in under one minute and making his way to the final. The technical superiority victory was one of the highlights of Indian wrestling supremacy on the world stage and Bajrang Punia looked full of confidence when he achieved it. Watch his impressive technical superiority victory here:,Apart from Bajrang Punia, other Indian wrestlers like Sakshi Malik, Anshu Malik, Deepak Punia, Divya Kakran and Mohit Grewal have ensured medals for the country. Bajrang was also part of the Indian contingent at the Tokyo Olympics 2020, where he won the bronze medal by defeating Daulet Niyazbekov of Kazakhstan. He has also won two Commonwealth Games medals before the 2022 edition when he won the silver and gold medals at the 2014 and 2018 editions respectively. ,Also Read: Days of being wild: Commonwealth Games village is where the party's at,As he looks forward to clinching his second CWG gold medal in Birmingham, it is also the second time he will be facing a Canadian wrestler in the final, having been beaten by David Tremblay in the 2014 edition of the mega event. Bajrang Punia will now face Lachlan McNeil of Canada in the final of men’s 65kg freestyle wrestling, which is also slated to take place on Friday, August 5 at the Coventry Arena.

{\"time\":1659714387693,\"strCount\":2923,\"blocks\":[{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/who-is-bajrang-punia-105832/\\\">Bajrang Punia</a> brought out his best self at the <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/commonwealth-games-2022-major-sporting-events-excluded-703089/\\\">Commonwealth Games 2022</a> on August 5, when he defeated George Ramm of England 10-0 to qualify for the final of men’s 65kg <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/what-is-repechage-rule-in-wrestling-196902/\\\">wrestling</a>. The victory also ensured at least a silver medal for the <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/indian/\\\">Indian</a> star wrestler at the mega event, who has often been dubbed as one of India’s best in the sport.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"The 28-year-old began the day positively when he beat Lowe Bingham of Nauru 4-0 in the pre-quarterfinals and advanced to the quarterfinals. He continued his impressive performance against Jean Guyliane Joris Bandou of <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/mauritius/\\\">Mauritius</a> in the quarters, defeating him 6-0 to reach the semifinals.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Also Read:&nbsp;<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/commonwealth-games-2022-indian-weightlifting-contingent-to-be-felicitated-on-august-718959/\\\">Commonwealth Games 2022: Indian weightlifting contingent to be felicitated on August 6</a>\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"However, it was at the semifinals when Punia brought out his best self, defeating Englishman George Ramm 10-0 in under one minute and making his way to the final. The technical superiority victory was one of the highlights of Indian wrestling supremacy on the world stage and Bajrang Punia looked full of confidence when he achieved it.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Watch his impressive technical superiority victory here:\"}},{\"type\":\"embed\",\"data\":{\"service\":\"others\",\"source\":\"<div class=\\\"others-embed\\\"><blockquote class=\\\"twitter-tweet\\\"><p lang=\\\"en\\\" dir=\\\"ltr\\\"><a href=\\\"https://twitter.com/hashtag/BajrangPunia?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\\\">#BajrangPunia</a> and us into the final of <a href=\\\"https://twitter.com/hashtag/CWG2022?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\\\">#CWG2022</a> <a href=\\\"https://twitter.com/hashtag/CommonwealthGames2022?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\\\">#CommonwealthGames2022</a> <a href=\\\"https://t.co/DsTURx73dV\\\">pic.twitter.com/DsTURx73dV</a></p>&mdash; Anurag Ankit🇮🇳 (@ImAnuragAnkit) <a href=\\\"https://twitter.com/ImAnuragAnkit/status/1555559642226458624?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\\\">August 5, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src=\\\"https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js\\\" charset=\\\"utf-8\\\"></script></div>\",\"embed\":\"<div class=\\\"others-embed\\\"><blockquote class=\\\"twitter-tweet\\\"><p lang=\\\"en\\\" dir=\\\"ltr\\\"><a href=\\\"https://twitter.com/hashtag/BajrangPunia?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\\\">#BajrangPunia</a> and us into the final of <a href=\\\"https://twitter.com/hashtag/CWG2022?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\\\">#CWG2022</a> <a href=\\\"https://twitter.com/hashtag/CommonwealthGames2022?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\\\">#CommonwealthGames2022</a> <a href=\\\"https://t.co/DsTURx73dV\\\">pic.twitter.com/DsTURx73dV</a></p>&mdash; Anurag Ankit🇮🇳 (@ImAnuragAnkit) <a href=\\\"https://twitter.com/ImAnuragAnkit/status/1555559642226458624?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\\\">August 5, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src=\\\"https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js\\\" charset=\\\"utf-8\\\"></script></div>\",\"caption\":\"\",\"aspectRatio\":null}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Apart from Bajrang Punia, other Indian wrestlers like Sakshi Malik, Anshu Malik, Deepak Punia, Divya Kakran and Mohit Grewal have ensured medals for the country.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Bajrang was also part of the Indian contingent at the Tokyo Olympics 2020, where he won the bronze medal by defeating Daulet Niyazbekov of <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/kazakhstan/\\\">Kazakhstan</a>. He has also won two <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/india-at-commonwealth-games-a-brief-history-711730/\\\">Commonwealth Games</a> medals before the 2022 edition when he won the silver and gold medals at the 2014 and 2018 editions respectively. \"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Also Read:&nbsp;<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/days-of-being-wild-commonwealth-games-village-is-where-the-partys-at-718809/\\\">Days of being wild: Commonwealth Games village is where the party's at</a>\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"As he looks forward to clinching his second CWG gold medal in <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/birmingham/\\\">Birmingham</a>, it is also the second time he will be facing a Canadian wrestler in the final, having been beaten by David Tremblay in the 2014 edition of the mega event.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Bajrang Punia will now face Lachlan McNeil of <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/canada/\\\">Canada</a> in the final of men’s 65kg freestyle wrestling, which is also slated to take place on Friday, August 5 at the Coventry Arena. \"}}]}

<ul>
  <li>Bajrang Punia beat Englishman George Ramm in technical superiority to advance to the final</li>
  <li>He also won a bronze medal in the Tokyo Olympics</li>
  <li>Punia has previously won two more medals at the Commonwealth Games in 2014 and 2018 editions</li>
</ul>

Watch: Bajrang Punia's technical superiority win to qualify for CWG 2022 wrestling final

Kazakhstan

Vaishnavi Vaidyanathan

Day 7 of the Commonwealth Games ended on a high for India with Sudhir securing a gold in the men's heavyweight final of para powerlifting. Murali Sreeshankar clinched a silver medal in the men's long jump final while the men's hockey team defeated Wales to progress to the last four stage. Boxer Rohit Tokas entered the semi-finals of men's welterweight category, assuring the country a medal. Shuttlers PV Sindhu and Kidambi Srikanth progressed to pre-quarterfinals while Aakarshi Kashyap entered the women's singles round of 16. Several star athletes will be in action on Day 8. The focus will be on Indian wrestlers Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia. Indian women's hockey team will look to defeat Australia in the semi-final round. Also Read: Commonwealth Games 2022: Lovepreet Singh sets new national record in bronze medal win,A look all the Indian athletes in the fray on Day 8 - ,Athletics:,Women's 100m Hurdles Round 1 Heat 2 - Jyothi Yarraji (3:06 pm),Women's Long Jump Qualifying Round Group A - Ancy Sojan Edappilly (4:10 pm),Men's 4 x 400m Relay Round 1 Heat 2: India (4:19 pm),Women's 200m Semi-Final 2 - Hima Das (12:53 am, August 6),Table Tennis:,Mixed Doubles Round of 16 (2:00 pm onwards)- Sathiyan Gnanasekaran/Manika Batra, Achanta Sharath Kamal/Akula Sreeja,Women's Singles Round of 16 (3:15 pm onwards)- Reeth Tennison, Sreeja Akula, Manika Batra,Badminton: (3:30 pm onwards), Women's doubles round of 16 (Jolly Treesa/Pullela Gayatri Gopichand), Men's doubles round of 16 (Satwik Sairaj Rankireddy/ Chirag Shetty), Women's singles round of 16 (PV Sindhu), Women's singles round of 16 (Akarshi Kashyap), Men's Singles round of 16 (Kidambi Srikanth),Wrestling: (3:30 pm onwards), Men's freestyle 125 kg (Mohit Grewal), men's freestyle 65kg (Bajrang Punia), men's freestyle 86kg (Deepak Punia), women's freestyle 57kg (Anshu Malik), women's freestyle 68kg (Divya Kakran), women's freestyle 62kg (Sakshi Malik),Hockey: (10:30 pm),Women's Semifinal: India versus Australia

{\"time\":1659684938862,\"strCount\":2642,\"blocks\":[{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Day 7 of the <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/india-at-commonwealth-games-a-brief-history-711730/\\\">Commonwealth Games</a> ended on a high for India with&nbsp;Sudhir securing a gold in the men's heavyweight final of para powerlifting.&nbsp;<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/india/who-is-murali-sreeshankar-718384/\\\">Murali Sreeshankar</a> clinched a silver medal in the men's long jump final while the men's hockey team defeated Wales to progress to the last four stage. Boxer <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/who-is-rohit-tokas-718318/\\\">Rohit Tokas</a> entered the semi-finals of men's welterweight category, assuring the country a medal. Shuttlers <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/8-facts-about-indias-legendary-badminton-player-pv-sindhu-456154/\\\">PV Sindhu</a> and Kidambi Srikanth progressed to pre-quarterfinals while&nbsp;Aakarshi Kashyap entered the women's singles round of 16.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Several star athletes will be in action on Day 8. The focus will be on <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/indian/\\\">Indian</a> wrestlers Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia. Indian women's hockey team will look to defeat <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/australia/\\\">Australia</a> in the semi-final round.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Also Read:&nbsp;<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/commonwealth-games-2022-lovepreet-singh-sets-new-national-record-in-bronze-medal-win-716959/\\\">Commonwealth Games 2022: Lovepreet Singh sets new national record in bronze medal win</a>\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"A look all the Indian athletes in the fray on Day 8 -&nbsp;\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"<b>Athletics:</b>\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Women's 100m Hurdles Round 1 Heat 2 - Jyothi Yarraji (3:06 pm)\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Women's Long Jump Qualifying Round Group A - Ancy Sojan Edappilly (4:10 pm)\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Men's 4 x 400m Relay Round 1 Heat 2: India (4:19 pm)\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Women's 200m Semi-Final 2 - Hima Das (12:53 am, August 6)\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"<b>Table Tennis:</b>\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Mixed Doubles Round of 16 (2:00 pm onwards)- Sathiyan Gnanasekaran/Manika Batra, Achanta Sharath Kamal/Akula Sreeja\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Women's Singles Round of 16 (3:15 pm onwards)- Reeth Tennison, Sreeja Akula, Manika Batra\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"<b>Badminton: (3:30 pm onwards)</b>\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\" Women's doubles round of 16 (Jolly Treesa/Pullela Gayatri Gopichand), &nbsp;Men's doubles round of 16 (Satwik Sairaj Rankireddy/ Chirag Shetty), &nbsp;Women's singles round of 16 (PV Sindhu), &nbsp;Women's singles round of 16 (Akarshi Kashyap), Men's Singles round of 16 (Kidambi Srikanth)\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"<b>Wrestling: (3</b>:<b>30 pm onwards)</b>\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\" Men's freestyle 125 kg (Mohit Grewal), men's freestyle 65kg (Bajrang Punia), men's freestyle 86kg (Deepak Punia), women's freestyle 57kg (Anshu Malik), women's freestyle 68kg (Divya Kakran), women's freestyle 62kg (Sakshi Malik)\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"<b>Hockey: (10:30 pm)</b>\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Women's Semifinal: India versus Australia&nbsp;\"}}]}

<ul>
  <li>Murali Sreeshankar clinched a silver medal in the men's long jump final on Day 7</li>
  <li>Boxer Rohit Tokas entered the semi-finals of men's welterweight category</li>
  <li>Indian women's hockey team will look to defeat Australia in the semi-final round on Day 8&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

Commonwealth Games 22, Day 8: Indians in the fray

Hockey

ChiragShetty

Sivapriya Jayaprakash

Thanks to wrestler Vicky Chahar, India has been able to add another feather to its cap. After defeating Uzbekistan's Ajiniyaz Saparniyazov 5-3, the Olympic athlete earned bronze in the 92 kg category at the Asian Wrestling Championships. Vicky Chahar is a product of the Chattarsal Akhara in Delhi, which has produced some of the country's finest wrestlers, including Bajrang Punia, Deepak Punia, Ravi Dahiya, Sushil Kumar, and Yogeshwar Dutt. Vicky has progressively evolved and risen through the ranks on the wrestling mat. Also read: Asian Wrestling Championships: India signs off with 17 medals,Chahar's first breakthrough came in 2016, when he won bronze medals in the sub-junior division at the Asian and World Championships. He also won the gold medal in sub-junior nationals in the same year. So who is Vicky Chahar?,The 21-year-old wrestler from Haryana's Jhajjar district began his career in sports when he was 12 years old. He used to bathe at a pond in his village, near which there was a mud 'Akhara' (wrestling field) where he began wrestling on his father's insistence. He moved to Satya Akhara in Birdhana village in 2012, which was 14 kilometres away from his hometown. Till 2016, Chahar used to wrestle in mud, which made his transition to the mat difficult. It got even harder when he lost in the Haryana State trials and was deprived of competent training partners. However, soon his transition was rapid and proved to be highly effective, as seen by his medal-winning streak in the same year. Also read: Will never wrestle again: Triple H announces in-ring retirement after heart scare,In 2018, he was accepted into the Chattarsal Akhara, where he is taught by his idol, two-time Olympic medalist Sushil Kumar. ,Chahar's father and grandfather were both wrestlers but were unable to continue owing to injuries and financial constraints. They gave up wrestling in favour of farming. Chahar, on the other hand, is motivated to establish a name for himself in wrestling, and based on his current performance, it appears like he is well on his way. Another Indian wrestler has won a medal in the Asian Wrestling Championships. Deepak Punia has won silver in the 86 kg category against Kazakhstan’s Azmat Dauletbekovm, who won gold.

{\"time\":1650915435009,\"strCount\":2840,\"blocks\":[{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Thanks to wrestler Vicky Chahar, <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/india/\\\">India</a> has been able to add\\nanother feather to its cap. After defeating Uzbekistan's Ajiniyaz Saparniyazov\\n5-3, the Olympic athlete earned bronze in the 92 kg category at the Asian\\nWrestling Championships.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Vicky Chahar is a product of the Chattarsal Akhara in <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/delhi/\\\">Delhi</a>, which\\nhas produced some of the country's finest wrestlers, including Bajrang Punia,\\n<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/tokyo-olympics-wrestler-deepak-punia-loses-bronze-medal-match-510791/\\\">Deepak Punia</a>, <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/who-is-ravi-kumar-dahiya-397407/\\\">Ravi Dahiya</a>, Sushil Kumar, and Yogeshwar Dutt. Vicky has\\nprogressively evolved and risen through the ranks on the wrestling mat.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Also read:&nbsp;<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/asian-wrestling-championships-india-signs-off-with-17-medals-189977/\\\">Asian Wrestling Championships: India signs off with 17 medals</a>\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Chahar's first breakthrough came in 2016, when he won bronze medals\\nin the sub-junior division at the Asian and World Championships. He also won\\nthe gold medal in sub-junior nationals in the same year.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"<b>So who is Vicky Chahar?</b>\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"The 21-year-old wrestler from Haryana's Jhajjar district began his\\ncareer in sports when he was 12 years old.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"He used to bathe at a pond in his village, near which there was a\\nmud 'Akhara' (wrestling field) where he began wrestling on his father's\\ninsistence. He moved to Satya Akhara in Birdhana village in 2012, which was 14\\nkilometres away from his hometown.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Till 2016, Chahar used to wrestle in mud, which made his transition\\nto the mat difficult. It got even harder when he lost in the <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/haryana/\\\">Haryana</a> State\\ntrials and was deprived of competent training partners. However, soon his\\ntransition was rapid and proved to be highly effective, as seen by his\\nmedal-winning streak in the same year.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Also read:&nbsp;<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/health/will-never-wrestle-again-wwe-legend-triple-h-announces-in-ring-retirement-after-heart-scare-465584/\\\">Will never wrestle again: Triple H announces in-ring retirement after heart scare</a>\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"In 2018, he was accepted into the Chattarsal Akhara, where he is\\ntaught by his idol, two-time Olympic medalist <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/who-is-sushil-kumar-539820/\\\">Sushil Kumar</a>.&nbsp;\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Chahar's father and grandfather were both wrestlers but were unable\\nto continue owing to injuries and financial constraints. They gave up wrestling\\nin favour of farming. Chahar, on the other hand, is motivated to establish a\\nname for himself in wrestling, and based on his current performance, it appears\\nlike he is well on his way.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Another Indian wrestler has won a medal in the Asian Wrestling\\nChampionships. Deepak Punia has won silver in the 86 kg category against\\nKazakhstan’s Azmat Dauletbekovm, who won gold.\"}}]}

<ul>
  <li>Vicky Chahar has won bronze in the 92 kg category at the Asian Wrestling Championships</li>
  <li>The wrestler is mentored by two-time Olympic medalist Sushil Kumar</li>
  <li>Another Indian wrestler, Deepak Punia has bagged silver in the 86 kg category</li>
</ul>

Opoyi Buzz

Who is Vicky Chahar?

SushilKumar

Uzbekistan

Olympics

Asia

IndiaNews

Yash Bajaj

Starting October, a string of festivals will from Navratri to Diwali will maintain a celebratory mood across the country. However, keeping the COVID-19 pandemic in mind, India's Olympians and Paralympians have joined hands in a health ministry initiative promoting safe celebrations to prevent a surge in cases. ,In a video posted on the health ministry's social media, these athletes, including Olympic gold medallists javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra and shooter Avani Lekhara remind people of the importance of observing COVID Appropriate Behaviour (CAB). They ask people to practice hand hygiene, keep six feet distance, wear a mask, and vaccinate themselves if they are above 18 years of age. Watch:,Khathinaaiyon ka samjhdhaari se saamna aur samaadhaan nikaalna humari zimmedaari hai (To resolve and face problems is our responsibility) Sports aur Zindagi mein! they say in the video. ,Other athletes who feature in the video include Tokyo Olympics medal-winning wrestlers Ravi Kumar Dahiya and Bajrang Punia, fencer Bhavani Devi and goalkeeper of India's bronze-winning men's hockey team PR Sreejesh. Also read: ICMR in favour of phased reopening of schools with layered COVID-19 plans,Other Tokyo Paralympians supporting the initiative of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare are high-jumper Praveen Kumar, archer Harvinder Singh, discus thrower Yogesh Kathuniya, shuttler Manoj Sarkar and club thrower Ekta Bhyan. With the festival season beginning in India with aplomb, India's decorated Olympians and Paralympians have joined hands ... in a video that has been produced to support the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare's efforts to inspire and promote safe celebrations during the festival period to prevent a surge in Covid-19 cases, the press release said. The video titled #TyoharonKeRangCABKeSang demonstrates hope against all adversity and features India's Olympic and Paralympic heroes reminding their fellow citizens to not let their guard down during their celebrations and to celebrate festivals responsibly, it added. ,Also read: Watch: Neeraj Chopra's throw that ended India's wait for an Olympic gold,Through this video, the essence of their conquering spirit is captured, to encourage and inspire the 1.3 billion Indian citizens to similarly overcome Covid-19 by observing all Covid Appropriate protocols and urging others to celebrate #COVIDSafeFestivities. The inspiring video is a reminder to all Indians that nothing is impossible and that together we can overcome any of our adversities including the current pandemic. India had won seven medals in the Tokyo Olympics and 19 in the Paralympics. ,India reported 18,870 new COVID-19 cases and 378 new deaths in the last 24 hours, according to Indian Health Ministry data released on Wednesday This takes the country's COVID tally to 3,37,16,451 and related death toll to 4,47,751.

{\"time\":1632897247027,\"strCount\":3606,\"blocks\":[{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Starting October, a string of festivals will from Navratri to Diwali will maintain a celebratory mood across the country. However, keeping the <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/covid19/\\\">COVID-19 </a>pandemic in mind, India's&nbsp;Olympians and Paralympians have joined hands in a health ministry initiative promoting safe celebrations to prevent a surge in cases.&nbsp;\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"In a video posted on the <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/healthministry/\\\">health ministry's</a> social media, these athletes, including&nbsp;Olympic gold medallists javelin thrower <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/neerajchopra/\\\">Neeraj Chopra</a> and&nbsp;shooter Avani Lekhara remind people of the&nbsp; importance of observing COVID Appropriate Behaviour (CAB). They ask people to practice&nbsp;hand hygiene, keep six feet distance, wear a mask, and vaccinate themselves if they are above 18 years of age.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Watch:\"}},{\"type\":\"embed\",\"data\":{\"service\":\"twitter\",\"source\":\"https://twitter.com/MoHFW_INDIA/status/1442730510975787013\",\"embed\":\"MoHFW_INDIA/status/1442730510975787013\",\"width\":520,\"height\":300,\"caption\":\"\",\"aspectRatio\":173.33333333333334}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"\\\"Khathinaaiyon ka samjhdhaari se saamna aur samaadhaan nikaalna humari zimmedaari hai (To resolve and face problems is our responsibility) Sports aur Zindagi mein!\\\" they say in the video.&nbsp;\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Other athletes who feature in the video include Tokyo Olympics medal-winning wrestlers Ravi Kumar Dahiya and Bajrang Punia, fencer Bhavani Devi and goalkeeper of India's bronze-winning men's hockey team PR Sreejesh.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Also read:&nbsp;<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/icmr-in-favour-of-phased-reopening-of-schools-with-layered-covid-19-plans?utm_source=copy-share&amp;utm_medium=web&amp;utm_campaign=none\\\">ICMR in favour of phased reopening of schools with layered COVID-19 plans</a>\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Other Tokyo Paralympians supporting the initiative of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare are high-jumper Praveen Kumar, archer Harvinder Singh, discus thrower Yogesh Kathuniya, shuttler Manoj Sarkar and club thrower Ekta Bhyan.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"\\\"With the festival season beginning in India with aplomb, India's decorated Olympians and Paralympians have joined hands ... in a video that has been produced to support the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare's efforts to inspire and promote safe celebrations during the festival period to prevent a surge in Covid-19 cases,\\\" the press release said.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"\\\"The video titled #TyoharonKeRangCABKeSang demonstrates hope against all adversity and features India's Olympic and Paralympic heroes reminding their fellow citizens to not let their guard down during their celebrations and to celebrate festivals responsibly,\\\" it added.&nbsp;\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Also read:&nbsp;<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/watch-neeraj-chopras-throw-that-ended-indias-wait-for-an-olympic-gold?utm_source=copy-share&amp;utm_medium=web&amp;utm_campaign=none\\\">Watch: Neeraj Chopra's throw that ended India's wait for an Olympic gold</a>\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"\\\"Through this video, the essence of their conquering spirit is captured, to encourage and inspire the 1.3 billion Indian citizens to similarly overcome Covid-19 by observing all Covid Appropriate protocols and urging others to celebrate #COVIDSafeFestivities.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"\\\"The inspiring video is a reminder to all Indians that nothing is impossible and that together we can overcome any of our adversities including the current pandemic.\\\"\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"India had won seven medals in the Tokyo Olympics and 19 in the Paralympics.&nbsp;\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/indianews/\\\">India</a>&nbsp;reported&nbsp;18,870 new&nbsp;<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/covid19/\\\">COVID-19</a>&nbsp;cases and 378 new deaths in the last 24 hours, according to Indian&nbsp;<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/healthministry/\\\">Health Ministr</a>y data released on Wednesday This takes the country's COVID tally to&nbsp;3,37,16,451 and related death toll to&nbsp;4,47,751.&nbsp;&nbsp;\"}}]}

<ul>
  <li>Olympians and paralympians asked people to take COVID-related precautions</li>
  <li>The video was posted on health ministry's social media accounts</li>
  <li>This reminder from these athletes comes as India gets into the festive season</li>
</ul>

Watch | Olympians, Paralympians spread COVID awareness ahead of festival season

Paralympics

HealthMinistry

covid19

NeerajChopra

AvaniLekhara

PRSreejesh

BhavaniDevi

Coronavirus

Vaccine

Health

Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat, on Friday, said that she will not spend much time thinking about her failed performance in the recently-concluded Tokyo 2020 Olympics. She, however, will work on her weaknesses before the upcoming competitions and future challenges. Speaking about her experience in Tokyo, where she made a shock quarterfinal exit, Vinesh said that she learned a lot from her Olympics experience. It was my second Olympics. In my first Olympics, I got injured and now I suffered defeat and I would accept that. I will work over the weaknesses before the upcoming competitions. At the senior level we don't have enough time to grieve over a defeat, because the next Olympics is approaching and there are back-to-back competitions. It's one thing to reach on top but to stay on top is challenging, said Vinesh, who was suspended by WFI for indiscipline in Tokyo but later let off with a warning. The 26-year-old from Balali village in Haryana said she even learned from her juniors who were in Tokyo. We (Anshu and Sonam) went together this time and I wish that we qualify in all weight categories the next time and give our best the Olympics, Worlds and Commonwealth and other championships. Speaking at an event, wrestler Anshu Malik, who is creating a space for herself in the wrestling world, said that there should be a sports psychologist attached to the team to help the wrestler keep their calm at big competitions. There are a lot of facilities now, compared to past but sometimes you get nervous like Olympics is a big stage. If someone can interact with us, like a psychologist, that will be better, she said. Listening to this, WFI President Brijbhushan Sharan Singh admitted that the Indian team needs to have two psychologists travelling with them all the time. Bajrang Punia, who won a bronze in the 65kg category, was asked what goes through the mind of the wrestlers when they trail in a about and don't have much time left to recover. We have only a split second to decide which move we need to make. There is no time to look at the scoreboard. All we need is to execute the moves that we have practised during the training, he said. Ravi Dahiya echoed the same, saying, there is a certain mindset with which we go on the mat. We are just focussed on executing the strategy, nothing else. Talking about injuries and rehabilitation, Vinesh said it is important to stay calm and patient. You need to stay away from negative thoughts. The fear of injury resurfacing remains in mind and you have to surround yourself with positive people. Self-belief is paramount.

{\"time\":1630059264516,\"strCount\":2974,\"blocks\":[{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Indian wrestler <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/VineshPhogat/\\\">Vinesh Phogat</a>, on Friday, said that she will not spend much time thinking about her failed performance in the recently-concluded <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/TokyoOlympics/\\\">Tokyo 2020 Olympics</a>. She, however, will work on her weaknesses before the upcoming competitions and future challenges.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Speaking about her experience in Tokyo, where she made a shock quarterfinal exit, Vinesh said that she learned a lot from her Olympics experience.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"\\\"It was my second Olympics. In my first Olympics, I got injured and now I suffered defeat and I would accept that. I will work over the weaknesses before the upcoming competitions.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"\\\"At the senior level we don't have enough time to grieve over a defeat, because the next Olympics is approaching and there are back-to-back competitions. It's one thing to reach on top but to stay on top is challenging,\\\" said Vinesh, who was suspended by WFI for indiscipline in Tokyo but later <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/wrestler-vinesh-phogat-let-off-with-a-warning-eligible-for-world-championship-543395/\\\">let off with a warning</a>.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"The 26-year-old from Balali village in Haryana said she even learned from her juniors who were in Tokyo.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"\\\"We (Anshu and Sonam) went together this time and I wish that we qualify in all weight categories the next time and give our best the Olympics, Worlds and Commonwealth and other championships.\\\"\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Speaking at an event, wrestler Anshu Malik, who is creating a space for herself in the wrestling world, said that there should be a <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/mentalhealth/\\\">sports psychologist</a> attached to the team to help the wrestler keep their calm at big competitions.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"\\\"There are a lot of facilities now, compared to past but sometimes you get nervous like Olympics is a big stage. If someone can interact with us, like a psychologist, that will be better,\\\" she said.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Listening to this, WFI President Brijbhushan Sharan Singh admitted that the Indian team needs to have two psychologists travelling with them all the time.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/BajrangPunia/\\\">Bajrang Punia</a>, who won a bronze in the 65kg category, was asked what goes through the mind of the wrestlers when they trail in a about and don't have much time left to recover.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"\\\"We have only a split second to decide which move we need to make. There is no time to look at the scoreboard. All we need is to execute the moves that we have practised during the training,\\\" he said.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/RaviKumarDahiya/\\\">Ravi Dahiya</a> echoed the same, saying, \\\"there is a certain mindset with which we go on the mat. We are just focussed on executing the strategy, nothing else.\\\"\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Talking about injuries and rehabilitation, Vinesh said it is important to stay \\\"calm and patient\\\".\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"\\\"You need to stay away from negative thoughts. The fear of injury resurfacing remains in mind and you have to surround yourself with positive people. Self-belief is paramount.\\\"\"}}]}

Joy Tirkey

<ul>
  <li>Wrestler Vinesh Phogat made a shock quarterfinal exit in the Tokyo Olympics</li>
  <li>I got injured and suffered defeat and I would accept that, Vinesh said about her Tokyo outing</li>
  <li>Wrestler Anshu Malik batted for a team psychologist at big events</li>
</ul>

Wrestler Vinesh Phogat will work on her weaknesses before upcoming bouts

Delhi, India

After creating history at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, the Indian contingent arrived at New Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport on Monday amid huge cheers from the fans, who had gathered to catch a glimpse of the athletes. Indians clinched 7 medals at the Tokyo Olympics, which is the country's highest ever, beating the tally of six medals won at the London Games in 2012. Javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra won the gold while weightlifter Mirabai Chanu and wrestler Ravi Kumar Dahiya secured silver. India also won four bronze (PV Sindhu, Lovlina Borgohain, men's hockey, Bajrang Punia).

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In pics: Neeraj Chopra, Bajrang Punia and others get warm welcome at Delhi airport

DelhiAirport

The <a href="https://opoyi.com/topic/TokyoOlympics">Indian contingent</a> after scripting history at the <a href="https://opoyi.com/topic/TokyoOlympics">2020 Tokyo Olympics</a> touched down in India on Monday. Their arrival prompted a massive celebration at the Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi. Crazy scenes ensued at the airports where supporters jostled to catch a glimpse of the heroes.,The athletes were welcomed by a <a href="https://opoyi.com/topic/Athletics">Sports Authority of India</a> (SAI) delegation headed by its Director-General Sandeep Pradhan, who was accompanied by the Athletics Federation of India head Adille Sumariwala.,Ecstatic fans, family members, huge motorcades and the tri-colour flying high were some of the scenes that got captured on cameras <a href="https://opoyi.com/topic/Delhiairport">outside the airport</a>. As the players exited the airport, they were received amid huge cheers and people shouting at the top of their lungs.,<b>Watch the videos here:</b>,However, the huge gathering saw the Indians flout <a href="https://opoyi.com/topic/COVID19">COVID-19 social distancing norms</a> as scores of people were seen without masks.,"We are here to support our heroes. We are proud of them," said a young girl, who claimed to be a budding athlete herself.,The most dramatic exit was made by bronze-medallist wrestler <a href="https://opoyi.com/topic/BajrangPUnia">Bajrang Punia</a>, who was seen greeting and waving towards his supporters from the sunroof of an SUV, which had several fans clinging to it defying all traffic rules as it made its way out of the airport.,"We will try to do better next time, I had a knee problem," Punia, who had entered the Games as a gold favourite, said.,The athletes were garlanded and presented with bouquets on arrival and were applauded by the airport staff as they made their way out to utter chaos.,At the Tokyo Games, India achieved their best-ever medal tally of 7, surpassing their previous best of six medals (2012 London Olympics).,India returned with one gold (<a href="https://opoyi.com/topic/NeerajChopra">Neeraj Chopra</a>), two silver (<a href="https://opoyi.com/topic/MirabaiChanu">Mirabai Chanu</a>, <a href="https://opoyi.com/topic/RaviKumarDahiya">Ravi Kumar Dahiya</a>), and four bronze (<a href="https://opoyi.com/topic/PVSindhu">PV Sindhu</a>, <a href="https://opoyi.com/topic/LovlinaBorgohain">Lovlina Borgohain</a>, <a href="https://opoyi.com/topic/Hockey">men's hockey</a>, <a href="https://opoyi.com/topic/BajrangPunia">Bajrang Punia</a>).,India had sent a 228-strong contingent for the Games, including 121 athletes.

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Crazy scenes ensued at the airports where supporters jostled to catch a glimpse of the heroes.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"The athletes were welcomed by a <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/Athletics/\\\">Sports Authority of India</a> (SAI) delegation headed by its Director-General Sandeep Pradhan, who was accompanied by the Athletics Federation of India head Adille Sumariwala.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Ecstatic fans, family members, huge motorcades and the tri-colour flying high were some of the scenes that got captured on cameras <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/Delhiairport/\\\">outside the airport</a>. As the players exited the airport, they were received amid huge cheers and people shouting at the top of their lungs.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"<b>Watch the videos here:</b>\"}},{\"type\":\"embed\",\"data\":{\"service\":\"twitter\",\"source\":\"https://twitter.com/afiindia/status/1424695615989043206\",\"embed\":\"afiindia/status/1424695615989043206\",\"width\":520,\"height\":300,\"caption\":\"\",\"aspectRatio\":173.33333333333334}},{\"type\":\"embed\",\"data\":{\"service\":\"twitter\",\"source\":\"https://twitter.com/afiindia/status/1424699551739367431\",\"embed\":\"afiindia/status/1424699551739367431\",\"width\":520,\"height\":300,\"caption\":\"\",\"aspectRatio\":173.33333333333334}},{\"type\":\"embed\",\"data\":{\"service\":\"twitter\",\"source\":\"https://twitter.com/afiindia/status/1424716045109981190\",\"embed\":\"afiindia/status/1424716045109981190\",\"width\":520,\"height\":300,\"caption\":\"\",\"aspectRatio\":173.33333333333334}},{\"type\":\"embed\",\"data\":{\"service\":\"twitter\",\"source\":\"https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1424706699168940032\",\"embed\":\"ANI/status/1424706699168940032\",\"width\":520,\"height\":300,\"caption\":\"\",\"aspectRatio\":173.33333333333334}},{\"type\":\"embed\",\"data\":{\"service\":\"twitter\",\"source\":\"https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1424722928931729414\",\"embed\":\"ANI/status/1424722928931729414\",\"width\":520,\"height\":300,\"caption\":\"\",\"aspectRatio\":173.33333333333334}},{\"type\":\"embed\",\"data\":{\"service\":\"twitter\",\"source\":\"https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1424723108066336771\",\"embed\":\"ANI/status/1424723108066336771\",\"width\":520,\"height\":300,\"caption\":\"\",\"aspectRatio\":173.33333333333334}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"However, the huge gathering saw the Indians flout <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/COVID19/\\\">COVID-19 social distancing norms</a> as scores of people were seen without masks.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"\\\"We are here to support our heroes. We are proud of them,\\\" said a young girl, who claimed to be a budding athlete herself.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"The most dramatic exit was made by bronze-medallist wrestler <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/BajrangPUnia/\\\">Bajrang Punia</a>, who was seen greeting and waving towards his supporters from the sunroof of an SUV, which had several fans clinging to it defying all traffic rules as it made its way out of the airport.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"\\\"We will try to do better next time, I had a knee problem,\\\" Punia, who had entered the Games as a gold favourite, said.\"}},{\"type\":\"embed\",\"data\":{\"service\":\"twitter\",\"source\":\"https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1424705457067741187\",\"embed\":\"ANI/status/1424705457067741187\",\"width\":520,\"height\":300,\"caption\":\"\",\"aspectRatio\":173.33333333333334}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"The athletes were garlanded and presented with bouquets on arrival and were applauded by the airport staff as they made their way out to utter chaos.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"At the Tokyo Games, India achieved their best-ever medal tally of 7, surpassing their previous best of six medals (2012 London Olympics).\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"India returned with one gold (<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/NeerajChopra/\\\">Neeraj Chopra</a>), two silver (<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/MirabaiChanu/\\\">Mirabai Chanu</a>, <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/RaviKumarDahiya/\\\">Ravi Kumar Dahiya</a>), and four bronze (<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/PVSindhu/\\\">PV Sindhu</a>, <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/LovlinaBorgohain/\\\">Lovlina Borgohain</a>, <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/Hockey/\\\">men's hockey</a>, <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/BajrangPunia/\\\">Bajrang Punia</a>).\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"India had sent a 228-strong contingent for the Games, including 121 athletes.\"}}]}

<ul>
  <li>The athletes were welcomed by a Sports Authority of India &nbsp;delegation</li>
  <li>SAI DG Sandeep Pradhan was accompanied by the AFI's head Adille Sumariwala</li>
  <li>India had sent a 228-strong contingent for the Games, including 121 athletes</li>
</ul>

In videos: Neeraj Chopra, Indian contingent get a hero's welcome

MirabaiChanu

LovlinaBorgohain

People

Sammya Mukhopadhyay

Congress leader
<a href="https://opoyi.com/rahul-gandhis-twitter-account-temporarily-suspended-congress?utm_source=copy-share&amp;utm_medium=web&amp;utm_campaign=none">Rahul Gandhi took to Instagram</a> on Monday to hit out at political leaders
rushing to congratulate athletes for their performances at the recently-concluded
Tokyo Olympics. Citing media reports that some Indian athletes, including
those who represented and won medals for India on the Olympics stage, are yet
to receive cash rewards for winning other competitions.,Writing in
Hindi, Gandhi said, “Along with congratulations, players should also get their
dues…not cuts in sports budgets.” “Enough with the video calls,” he added. ,Gandhi’s
post is being seen in political circles as a dig at Prime Minister Narendra
Modi who called up several athletes after their Olympic medal wins. Prime
Minister Modi had spoken over the phone to Indian men’s hockey team captain
Manpreet Singh and javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra following their respective
victories. ,In his
Instagram post, Gandhi attached a screenshot of Times Of India report which
spoke of athletes waiting years for cash rewards promised to them.,Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://opoyi.com/rahul-gandhi-under-the-scanner-for-posting-photo-with-9-year-old-rape-victims-family?utm_source=copy-share&amp;utm_medium=web&amp;utm_campaign=none">Did Rahul Gandhi reveal the rape victim’s identity? Rights body takes note</a>,Gandhi’s
post also featured screenshots of tweets made in 2019 by Olympic gold-medallist
Neeraj Chopra and bronze-winner Bajrang Punia. ,Bronze-winning
wrestler Bajrang Punia had tweeted in 2019: “When you promise rewards to the
players, then you promise to support the players, and not the greed of money,
but the players. If you can’t fulfill your promise then what should any player
expect from you in future!”,Punia’s
tweet, in which Haryana Chief Minister ML Khattar and Home Minister Anil Vij
were tagged featured a screenshot of a 2018 tweet by Home Minister Vij that
promised Rs 3 crore as cash reward for Punia for a winning gold medal at the
Asian Games held that year. ,At the 2018
Asian Games, Bajrang Punia had defeated Daichi Takatani of Japan in the final
of men’s freestyle wrestling in the 65kg category.,Neeraj
Chopra had also tweeted in Punia’s support.,Gandhi’s
criticism comes as state governments across the country rush to congratulate
Olympian athletes and announcing massive cash prizes for them. ,While Neeraj
Chopra has been promised Rs 6 crore by the Haryana government while Bajrang
Punia has been promised Rs 2.5 crore as have been the members of the bronze-winning
men’s hockey team who are from the state. &nbsp;&nbsp;

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font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;\\\"> View this post on Instagram</div></div><div style=\\\"padding: 12.5% 0;\\\"></div> <div style=\\\"display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;\\\"><div> <div style=\\\"background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);\\\"></div> <div style=\\\"background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;\\\"></div> <div style=\\\"background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);\\\"></div></div><div style=\\\"margin-left: 8px;\\\"> <div style=\\\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;\\\"></div> <div style=\\\" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)\\\"></div></div><div style=\\\"margin-left: auto;\\\"> <div style=\\\" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);\\\"></div> <div style=\\\" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);\\\"></div> <div style=\\\" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);\\\"></div></div></div> <div style=\\\"display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;\\\"> <div style=\\\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;\\\"></div> <div style=\\\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;\\\"></div></div></a><p style=\\\" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;\\\"><a href=\\\"https://www.instagram.com/p/CSVwYHKj2Wb/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\\\" style=\\\" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\">A post shared by Rahul Gandhi (@rahulgandhi)</a></p></div></blockquote> <script async src=\\\"//www.instagram.com/embed.js\\\"></script>\",\"embed\":\"https://www.instagram.com/p/CSVwYHKj2Wb/embed\",\"height\":1877.5,\"caption\":\"\",\"aspectRatio\":null}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Writing in\\nHindi, Gandhi said, “Along with congratulations, players should also get their\\ndues…not cuts in sports budgets.” “Enough with the video calls,” he added. \"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Gandhi’s\\npost is being seen in political circles as a dig at Prime Minister Narendra\\nModi who called up several athletes after their Olympic medal wins. Prime\\nMinister Modi had spoken over the phone to Indian men’s hockey team captain\\nManpreet Singh and javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra following their respective\\nvictories. \"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"In his\\nInstagram post, Gandhi attached a screenshot of Times Of India report which\\nspoke of athletes waiting years for cash rewards promised to them.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Also Read |&nbsp;<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/rahul-gandhi-under-the-scanner-for-posting-photo-with-9-year-old-rape-victims-family?utm_source=copy-share&amp;utm_medium=web&amp;utm_campaign=none\\\">Did Rahul Gandhi reveal the rape victim’s identity? Rights body takes note</a>\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Gandhi’s\\npost also featured screenshots of tweets made in 2019 by Olympic gold-medallist\\nNeeraj Chopra and bronze-winner Bajrang Punia. \"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Bronze-winning\\nwrestler Bajrang Punia had tweeted in 2019: “When you promise rewards to the\\nplayers, then you promise to support the players, and not the greed of money,\\nbut the players. If you can’t fulfill your promise then what should any player\\nexpect from you in future!”\"}},{\"type\":\"embed\",\"data\":{\"service\":\"others\",\"source\":\"<div class=\\\"others-embed\\\"><blockquote class=\\\"twitter-tweet\\\"><p lang=\\\"hi\\\" dir=\\\"ltr\\\">जब खिलाड़ीयो को आप पुरस्कार का वायदे करते है तब ऊन खिलाड़ीयो को आप ने पैसे का लालच नहीं बल्कि खिलाड़ियों का साथ देने का वायदा करते हैं । अगर आप अपने किये वायदे को पूरा नहीं कर सकते तो फिर भविष्य मे कोई भी खिलाड़ी आप से किस बात की उम्मीद रखें!@anilvijminister <a href=\\\"https://twitter.com/mlkhattar?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\\\">@mlkhattar</a> <a href=\\\"https://t.co/CxX7JK9Ez1\\\">pic.twitter.com/CxX7JK9Ez1</a></p>&mdash; Bajrang Punia ?? (@BajrangPunia) <a href=\\\"https://twitter.com/BajrangPunia/status/1143775090129215488?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\\\">June 26, 2019</a></blockquote> <script async src=\\\"https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js\\\" charset=\\\"utf-8\\\"></script></div>\",\"embed\":\"<div class=\\\"others-embed\\\"><blockquote class=\\\"twitter-tweet\\\"><p lang=\\\"hi\\\" dir=\\\"ltr\\\">जब खिलाड़ीयो को आप पुरस्कार का वायदे करते है तब ऊन खिलाड़ीयो को आप ने पैसे का लालच नहीं बल्कि खिलाड़ियों का साथ देने का वायदा करते हैं । अगर आप अपने किये वायदे को पूरा नहीं कर सकते तो फिर भविष्य मे कोई भी खिलाड़ी आप से किस बात की उम्मीद रखें!@anilvijminister <a href=\\\"https://twitter.com/mlkhattar?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\\\">@mlkhattar</a> <a href=\\\"https://t.co/CxX7JK9Ez1\\\">pic.twitter.com/CxX7JK9Ez1</a></p>&mdash; Bajrang Punia ?? (@BajrangPunia) <a href=\\\"https://twitter.com/BajrangPunia/status/1143775090129215488?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\\\">June 26, 2019</a></blockquote> <script async src=\\\"https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js\\\" charset=\\\"utf-8\\\"></script></div>\",\"caption\":\"\",\"aspectRatio\":null}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Punia’s\\ntweet, in which Haryana Chief Minister ML Khattar and Home Minister Anil Vij\\nwere tagged featured a screenshot of a 2018 tweet by Home Minister Vij that\\npromised Rs 3 crore as cash reward for Punia for a winning gold medal at the\\nAsian Games held that year. \"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"At the 2018\\nAsian Games, Bajrang Punia had defeated Daichi Takatani of Japan in the final\\nof men’s freestyle wrestling in the 65kg category.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Neeraj\\nChopra had also tweeted in Punia’s support.\"}},{\"type\":\"embed\",\"data\":{\"service\":\"others\",\"source\":\"<div class=\\\"others-embed\\\"><blockquote class=\\\"twitter-tweet\\\"><p lang=\\\"hi\\\" dir=\\\"ltr\\\"><a href=\\\"https://twitter.com/mlkhattar?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\\\">@mlkhattar</a> <a href=\\\"https://twitter.com/anilvijminister?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\\\">@anilvijminister</a> सर जब हम मेडल जीत कर आते है तो पूरा देश ख़ुश होता है ओर आप भी गर्व से कहते है की हमारे हरियाणा के खिलाड़ी है।हरियाणा के खिलाड़ियों ने खेल जगत में अपनी अलग से छाप छोड़ी है दूसरे राज्य भी हरियाणा की मिसाल देते है कृपा करके इस मिसाल को क़ायम रहने दीजिए। <a href=\\\"https://t.co/OPlyyGZ19I\\\">https://t.co/OPlyyGZ19I</a></p>&mdash; Neeraj Chopra (@Neeraj_chopra1) <a href=\\\"https://twitter.com/Neeraj_chopra1/status/1143866081091575808?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\\\">June 26, 2019</a></blockquote> <script async src=\\\"https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js\\\" charset=\\\"utf-8\\\"></script></div>\",\"embed\":\"<div class=\\\"others-embed\\\"><blockquote class=\\\"twitter-tweet\\\"><p lang=\\\"hi\\\" dir=\\\"ltr\\\"><a href=\\\"https://twitter.com/mlkhattar?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\\\">@mlkhattar</a> <a href=\\\"https://twitter.com/anilvijminister?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\\\">@anilvijminister</a> सर जब हम मेडल जीत कर आते है तो पूरा देश ख़ुश होता है ओर आप भी गर्व से कहते है की हमारे हरियाणा के खिलाड़ी है।हरियाणा के खिलाड़ियों ने खेल जगत में अपनी अलग से छाप छोड़ी है दूसरे राज्य भी हरियाणा की मिसाल देते है कृपा करके इस मिसाल को क़ायम रहने दीजिए। <a href=\\\"https://t.co/OPlyyGZ19I\\\">https://t.co/OPlyyGZ19I</a></p>&mdash; Neeraj Chopra (@Neeraj_chopra1) <a href=\\\"https://twitter.com/Neeraj_chopra1/status/1143866081091575808?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\\\">June 26, 2019</a></blockquote> <script async src=\\\"https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js\\\" charset=\\\"utf-8\\\"></script></div>\",\"caption\":\"\",\"aspectRatio\":null}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Gandhi’s\\ncriticism comes as state governments across the country rush to congratulate\\nOlympian athletes and announcing massive cash prizes for them. \"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"While Neeraj\\nChopra has been promised Rs 6 crore by the Haryana government while Bajrang\\nPunia has been promised Rs 2.5 crore as have been the members of the bronze-winning\\nmen’s hockey team who are from the state. &nbsp;&nbsp;\"}}]}

<ul>
  <li>Rahul Gandhi said on Monday that it is time for states to pay up cash rewards promised to athletes</li>
  <li>"Enough with the video calls," Gandhi said apparently taking a dig at PM Modi</li>
  <li>Gandhi's post contained screenshots of old tweets by Bajrang Punia and Neeraj Chopra</li>
</ul>

'Time to pay up': Rahul Gandhi reminds states of unkept promises to athletes

RahulGandhi

ManoharLalKhattar

AnilVij

news

Shuchi Shukla

From one athlete at the Paris Olympics 1900 to 126 at the<a href="https://opoyi.com/topic/tokyoolympics"> Tokyo Olympics 2020</a>, India has covered a long distance, many disappointments, a few celebrations, and a lot of politics. In 121 years, the country of 1.3 billion people has won just 35 medals - 10 golds  (eight by the Indian men’s hockey team), eight silvers (one by the Indian men’s hockey team), and 18 bronze medals.,<b>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://opoyi.com/paris-olympics-all-you-need-to-know-about-2024-games?utm_source=copy-share&amp;utm_medium=web&amp;utm_campaign=none">Paris Olympics: All you need to know about 2024 games</a></b>,Sports in pre-Independence India was defined primarily by its hockey team, which dominated the <a href="https://opoyi.com/topic/olympics">Olympics </a>from 1928 to 1936 winning an unprecedented three titles. Very few athletes were part of the Indian Olympics delegations till then, but from 1948, an independent India began sending more than 50 athletes, selected by various sports federations, which comprised people mostly from non-sports backgrounds. Before the 1952 Summer Games in Helsinki, the Indian field hockey team was the only saviour with their consistent Gold performance. In 1952, wrestler <a href="https://opoyi.com/who-was-the-first-indian-to-win-an-individual-medal-at-the-olympics?utm_source=copy-share&amp;utm_medium=web&amp;utm_campaign=none">Khashaba Dadasaheb Jadhav </a>won a bronze medal to become India’s first individual Olympic medallist in the men's freestyle bantamweight category. Did he get government support? Reportedly, he did not even get a place in the squad till he wrote to the Maharaja of Patiala, who was a patron of wrestling. The Maharaja, who had a say in the selection process, convinced the authorities to hold a qualifying bout again and it was in this fight that Jadhav secured his ticket to the Olympics. He fought hard and turned that into a place in history for himself, and for India.,<b>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://opoyi.com/100-years-3-stories-1-dream-neeraj-chopras-win-is-more-than-just-a-gold?utm_source=copy-share&amp;utm_medium=web&amp;utm_campaign=none">100 years, 3 stories, 1 dream: Neeraj Chopra's win is more than just a gold</a></b>,The Indian men’s hockey team, which did not settle for anything but gold till 1956, lost in the 1960 Summer Olympics finals and had to settle for a silver medal. Though the team briefly bounced back by winning gold at the 1964 Summer Olympics, it had to make do with bronze medals in the next two Olympics. In the 1976 Summer Olympics India went home empty-handed, the first time since 1928. The champions made a comeback winning their Olympic record eighth at the Moscow Games in 1980. The drought after that lasted 41 years, till the hockey bronze won this week in Tokyo.,Since 1980, India has won 21 total medals, seven of those at the Tokyo games that wrap up today. It’s India’s best performance ever, besting the haul at London 2012 when we had won six, but no gold. The only individual gold before <a href="https://opoyi.com/neeraj-chopra-wins-gold-in-javelin-throw-indias-first-olympic-medal-in-athletics">Neeraj Chopra’s champion javelin throw</a> earned him one on Saturday, was shooter <a href="https://opoyi.com/who-is-abhinav-bindra">Abhinav Bindra’s in 2008</a>.,<b>Also read:<a href="https://opoyi.com/from-1900-to-2021-brief-history-of-indias-olympic-medal-victories?utm_source=copy-share&amp;utm_medium=web&amp;utm_campaign=none">&nbsp;From 1900 to 2021: Brief history of India’s Olympic medal victories</a></b>,Every four years — in this case, five due to the pandemic — the same questions are asked in India. Why does India fail to excel at the Olympics? And does it even matter to the government? Does it even matter to authorities? Does it even matter to countrymen?,<a href="https://opoyi.com/topic/narendramodi">Prime Minister Narendra Modi</a>, who is keen to establish India as a global superpower, has probably decided that it does matter. After India performed miserably at the 2016 Games in Rio de Janeiro — one silver and one bronze — PM Modi constituted a ‘task force’ to prepare the roadmap for the next three quadrennial Games --- 2020 (Tokyo), 2024, and 2028. The aim of the task force was to prepare a strategy for the improvement of facilities, selection norms, and better training facilities. The task force included the likes of national badminton coach Pulella Gopichand, Former India hockey captain Viren Rasquinha, and foreign experts as well.,<b>Also read:&nbsp;</b><a href="https://opoyi.com/as-japan-readies-to-douse-the-olympic-flame-a-glance-at-the-big-stories-of-the-games?utm_source=copy-share&amp;utm_medium=web&amp;utm_campaign=none">A&nbsp;glance at the big stories of the Games</a>,Soon after creating the task force, the government began funneling money to sports authorities that were underfunded for decades and stained by corruption. Private ventures stepped in, training elite athletes hoping to harness their upward trajectory. The state money also trickled into grassroots sports, which resulted in exceptional performances by athletes from deep pockets in India.,<b>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://opoyi.com/countless-neeraj-chopra-stories-from-his-humble-haryana-village?utm_source=copy-share&amp;utm_medium=web&amp;utm_campaign=none">Countless Neeraj Chopra stories from his humble Haryana village</a></b>,This shift in the stand didn’t happen overnight. PM Modi, even before taking oath for the top office, had on several occasions spoken about the need to link sports with the education system in the country. In 2013, during a speech in Ferguson College in Pune, he said, “During Olympics, people often say despite its huge size, we don’t get medals. Have we linked sports with our education system? Did we give enough opportunity to our youth...? Believe me, if you give our defence forces this responsibility and match the potential of the new recruits in the interested sports and then train them properly, we will earn 5-7 medals even without much effort. It requires vision!” Did he walk the talk? Looking at India’s medal tally at the Tokyo Olympics, maybe he did.,<b>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://opoyi.com/winter-olympics-2022-all-you-need-to-know-about-the-upcoming-beijing-games?utm_source=copy-share&amp;utm_medium=web&amp;utm_campaign=none">Winter Olympics 2022: All you need to know about the upcoming Beijing games</a></b>,<b>Why didn't PM Modi push for the Rio Olympics 2016?</b>,Training for an Olympics mindset alone takes years and a lot of administrative support. When PM Modi took over in 2014, the die was cast for Rio. It was only in February 2015, nine months after Sarbananda Sonowal took charge, that the Sports Ministry, keeping in mind the Olympics, launched its ambitious ‘Mission Olympic Cell’ headed by the director-general, Sports Authority of India (SAI) to monitor the preparation of athletes who had qualified for Rio. The athletes were given support under the Target Olympic Podium Scheme(TOPS) using the National Sports Development Fund (NSDF). But several athletes wanting government aid were tripped by the dreaded ‘red-tape’.,Abhinav Bindra, India’s first Olympic gold medalist in an individual competition, told The New York Times that the sports environment today is different from when he won the 10-meter air rifle competition in Beijing. He said when he competed in the shooting nationals at 24 there were 200 entrants and these days the competition draws 20,000, plus another 20,000 who didn’t make the cut.,<b>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://opoyi.com/india-at-olympics-list-of-athletes-who-missed-out-on-medal-by-a-whisker?utm_source=copy-share&amp;utm_medium=web&amp;utm_campaign=none">India at Olympics: List of athletes who missed out on medal by a whisker</a></b>,Eight members of the Indian shooting team in Tokyo, he noted, have been world No. 1s or 2s in their categories. “It could be the start of a new era in Indian sport,” Bindra said.,<b>A beginning of the change?</b>,For PM Modi, who met each and every athlete from this year’s Olympic contingent, it looked like a personal stake. The training given to the athletes this time was far better than ever. The coronavirus pandemic did distract the players but not much, who continued with their training at all times,<a href="https://opoyi.com/who-is-neeraj-chopra-1">Gold medallist Neeraj Chopra</a>, who comes from a humble background, was trained in Europe.  “As far as preparations for @Tokyo2020 are concerned, all my requirements have been taken care of in the best possible way. I'm training in Europe currently and am thankful for the efforts made by the government and the Indian embassy, despite the tough visa rules,” he tweeted in June.,India’s star <a href="https://opoyi.com/mirabai-chanu-wins-olympic-medal-says-dreaming-of-this-for-5-years?utm_source=copy-share&amp;utm_medium=web&amp;utm_campaign=none">weightlifter Mirabai Chanu</a>, who is a part of the TOPS,  was sent to the US for training until the Tokyo Games. The Sports Authority of India Mission Olympic Cell (MOC) had sanctioned around Rs 70.8 lakhs for Chanu's one-and-a-half-month long overseas training, PTI reported, quoting a SAI source.,<a href="https://opoyi.com/tokyo-olympics-bajrang-punia-takes-home-the-bronze-medal-in-wrestling?utm_source=copy-share&amp;utm_medium=web&amp;utm_campaign=none">Medal winner Bajrang Punia</a>, who once used to struggle to play on the mat, was sent to the US, Russia for the Olympics training. And, he did deliver.,<b>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://opoyi.com/with-7-medals-india-put-on-their-best-ever-show-at-the-olympics?utm_source=copy-share&amp;utm_medium=web&amp;utm_campaign=none">With 7 medals, India put on their best-ever show at the Olympics</a></b>,In a first, the Indian women’s hockey team<a href="https://opoyi.com/tokyo-olympics-india-lose-4-3-to-great-britain-miss-out-on-womens-hockey-bronze?utm_source=copy-share&amp;utm_medium=web&amp;utm_campaign=none"> scripted history by entering the semi-finals of the Games</a> for the first time. Though they couldn’t win the medal but gave tough fights to their opponents. The men’s hockey team won the bronze medal after a gap of 41 years.,The Olympics task force was mandated to show results in the three quadrennial Games --- 2020 (Tokyo), 2024, and 2028. The performances this year have given Indians hope to see medals in double digits on the next two occasions.,Is this the "spirit of New India", as PM Modi says, and a beginning of the better and dominant phase for Indian sports?

{\"time\":1628474988703,\"strCount\":10602,\"blocks\":[{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"From one athlete at the Paris Olympics 1900 to 126 at the<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/tokyoolympics/\\\"> Tokyo Olympics 2020</a>, India has covered a long distance, many disappointments, a few celebrations, and a lot of politics. In 121 years, the country of 1.3 billion people has won just 35 medals - 10 golds  (eight by the Indian men’s hockey team), eight silvers (one by the Indian men’s hockey team), and 18 bronze medals.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"<b>Also read:&nbsp;<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/paris-olympics-all-you-need-to-know-about-2024-games?utm_source=copy-share&amp;utm_medium=web&amp;utm_campaign=none\\\">Paris Olympics: All you need to know about 2024 games</a></b>\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Sports in pre-Independence India was defined primarily by its hockey team, which dominated the <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/olympics/\\\">Olympics </a>from 1928 to 1936 winning an unprecedented three titles. Very few athletes were part of the Indian Olympics delegations till then, but from 1948, an independent India began sending more than 50 athletes, selected by various sports federations, which comprised people mostly from non-sports backgrounds. Before the 1952 Summer Games in Helsinki, the Indian field hockey team was the only saviour with their consistent Gold performance. In 1952, wrestler <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/who-was-the-first-indian-to-win-an-individual-medal-at-the-olympics?utm_source=copy-share&amp;utm_medium=web&amp;utm_campaign=none\\\">Khashaba Dadasaheb Jadhav </a>won a bronze medal to become India’s first individual Olympic medallist in the men's freestyle bantamweight category. Did he get government support? Reportedly, he did not even get a place in the squad till he wrote to the Maharaja of Patiala, who was a patron of wrestling. The Maharaja, who had a say in the selection process, convinced the authorities to hold a qualifying bout again and it was in this fight that Jadhav secured his ticket to the Olympics. He fought hard and turned that into a place in history for himself, and for India.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"<b>Also read:&nbsp;<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/100-years-3-stories-1-dream-neeraj-chopras-win-is-more-than-just-a-gold?utm_source=copy-share&amp;utm_medium=web&amp;utm_campaign=none\\\">100 years, 3 stories, 1 dream: Neeraj Chopra's win is more than just a gold</a></b>\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"The Indian men’s hockey team, which did not settle for anything but gold till 1956, lost in the 1960 Summer Olympics finals and had to settle for a silver medal. Though the team briefly bounced back by winning gold at the 1964 Summer Olympics, it had to make do with bronze medals in the next two Olympics. In the 1976 Summer Olympics India went home empty-handed, the first time since 1928. The champions made a comeback winning their Olympic record eighth at the Moscow Games in 1980. The drought after that lasted 41 years, till the hockey bronze won this week in Tokyo.\"}},{\"type\":\"image\",\"data\":{\"aspectRatio\":\"66.16666667\",\"file\":{\"url\":\"https://ik.imagekit.io/o8plo3y5if/opoyi_VoRR6Zuo5.jpg\"},\"caption\":\"Indian men's hockey team after winning the bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics\",\"source\":\"PTI\",\"name\":\"\",\"tags\":\"\",\"mediaId\":\"JCXs2xpfM7I5\",\"height\":3176,\"width\":4800,\"startCrop\":false,\"completeCrop\":false,\"replace\":false,\"insertAfter\":false}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Since 1980, India has won 21 total medals, seven of those at the Tokyo games that wrap up today. It’s India’s best performance ever, besting the haul at London 2012 when we had won six, but no gold. The only individual gold before <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/india/neeraj-chopra-wins-gold-in-javelin-throw-indias-first-olympic-medal-in-athletics-171219/\\\">Neeraj Chopra’s champion javelin throw</a> earned him one on Saturday, was shooter <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/who-is-abhinav-bindra-220718/\\\">Abhinav Bindra’s in 2008</a>.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"<b>Also read:<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/from-1900-to-2021-brief-history-of-indias-olympic-medal-victories?utm_source=copy-share&amp;utm_medium=web&amp;utm_campaign=none\\\">&nbsp;From 1900 to 2021: Brief history of India’s Olympic medal victories</a></b>\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Every four years — in this case, five due to the pandemic — the same questions are asked in India. Why does India fail to excel at the Olympics? And does it even matter to the government? Does it even matter to authorities? Does it even matter to countrymen?\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/narendramodi/\\\">Prime Minister Narendra Modi</a>, who is keen to establish India as a global superpower, has probably decided that it does matter. After India performed miserably at the 2016 Games in Rio de Janeiro — one silver and one bronze — PM Modi constituted a ‘task force’ to prepare the roadmap for the next three quadrennial Games --- 2020 (Tokyo), 2024, and 2028. The aim of the task force was to prepare a strategy for the improvement of facilities, selection norms, and better training facilities. The task force included the likes of national badminton coach Pulella Gopichand, Former India hockey captain Viren Rasquinha, and foreign experts as well.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"<b>Also read:&nbsp;</b><a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/as-japan-readies-to-douse-the-olympic-flame-a-glance-at-the-big-stories-of-the-games?utm_source=copy-share&amp;utm_medium=web&amp;utm_campaign=none\\\">A&nbsp;glance at the big stories of the Games</a>\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Soon after creating the task force, the government began funneling money to sports authorities that were underfunded for decades and stained by corruption. Private ventures stepped in, training elite athletes hoping to harness their upward trajectory. The state money also trickled into grassroots sports, which resulted in exceptional performances by athletes from deep pockets in India.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"<b>Also read:&nbsp;<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/countless-neeraj-chopra-stories-from-his-humble-haryana-village?utm_source=copy-share&amp;utm_medium=web&amp;utm_campaign=none\\\">Countless Neeraj Chopra stories from his humble Haryana village</a></b>\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"This shift in the stand didn’t happen overnight. PM Modi, even before taking oath for the top office, had on several occasions spoken about the need to link sports with the education system in the country. In 2013, during a speech in Ferguson College in Pune, he said, “During Olympics, people often say despite its huge size, we don’t get medals. Have we linked sports with our education system? Did we give enough opportunity to our youth...? Believe me, if you give our defence forces this responsibility and match the potential of the new recruits in the interested sports and then train them properly, we will earn 5-7 medals even without much effort. It requires vision!” Did he walk the talk? Looking at India’s medal tally at the Tokyo Olympics, maybe he did.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"<b>Also read:&nbsp;<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/winter-olympics-2022-all-you-need-to-know-about-the-upcoming-beijing-games?utm_source=copy-share&amp;utm_medium=web&amp;utm_campaign=none\\\">Winter Olympics 2022: All you need to know about the upcoming Beijing games</a></b>\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"<b>Why didn't PM Modi push for the Rio Olympics 2016?</b>\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Training for an Olympics mindset alone takes years and a lot of administrative support. When PM Modi took over in 2014, the die was cast for Rio. It was only in February 2015, nine months after Sarbananda Sonowal took charge, that the Sports Ministry, keeping in mind the Olympics, launched its ambitious ‘Mission Olympic Cell’ headed by the director-general, Sports Authority of India (SAI) to monitor the preparation of athletes who had qualified for Rio. The athletes were given support under the Target Olympic Podium Scheme(TOPS) using the National Sports Development Fund (NSDF). But several athletes wanting government aid were tripped by the dreaded ‘red-tape’.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Abhinav Bindra, India’s first Olympic gold medalist in an individual competition, told The New York Times that the sports environment today is different from when he won the 10-meter air rifle competition in Beijing. He said when he competed in the shooting nationals at 24 there were 200 entrants and these days the competition draws 20,000, plus another 20,000 who didn’t make the cut.\"}},{\"type\":\"embed\",\"data\":{\"service\":\"twitter\",\"source\":\"https://twitter.com/Olympics/status/1421742547676897283\",\"embed\":\"Olympics/status/1421742547676897283\",\"width\":520,\"height\":300,\"caption\":\"\",\"aspectRatio\":173.33333333333334}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"<b>Also read:&nbsp;<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/india-at-olympics-list-of-athletes-who-missed-out-on-medal-by-a-whisker?utm_source=copy-share&amp;utm_medium=web&amp;utm_campaign=none\\\">India at Olympics: List of athletes who missed out on medal by a whisker</a></b>\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Eight members of the Indian shooting team in Tokyo, he noted, have been world No. 1s or 2s in their categories. “It could be the start of a new era in Indian sport,” Bindra said.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"<b>A beginning of the change?</b>\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"For PM Modi, who met each and every athlete from this year’s Olympic contingent, it looked like a personal stake. The training given to the athletes this time was far better than ever. The coronavirus pandemic did distract the players but not much, who continued with their training at all times\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/india/who-is-neeraj-chopra-174701/\\\">Gold medallist Neeraj Chopra</a>, who comes from a humble background, was trained in Europe.  “As far as preparations for @Tokyo2020 are concerned, all my requirements have been taken care of in the best possible way. I'm training in Europe currently and am thankful for the efforts made by the government and the Indian embassy, despite the tough visa rules,” he tweeted in June.\"}},{\"type\":\"image\",\"data\":{\"aspectRatio\":\"70.06250000\",\"file\":{\"url\":\"https://ik.imagekit.io/o8plo3y5if/opoyi_iBs4OAhhbO.jpg\"},\"caption\":\"India's Neeraj Chopra holds the gold medal after winning in the final of the men's javelin throw event\",\"source\":\"PTI\",\"name\":\"\",\"tags\":\"\",\"mediaId\":\"3YprNFNBuPhF\",\"height\":3363,\"width\":4800,\"startCrop\":false,\"completeCrop\":false,\"replace\":false,\"insertAfter\":false}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"India’s star <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/mirabai-chanu-wins-olympic-medal-says-dreaming-of-this-for-5-years?utm_source=copy-share&amp;utm_medium=web&amp;utm_campaign=none\\\">weightlifter Mirabai Chanu</a>, who is a part of the TOPS,  was sent to the US for training until the Tokyo Games. The Sports Authority of India Mission Olympic Cell (MOC) had sanctioned around Rs 70.8 lakhs for Chanu's one-and-a-half-month long overseas training, PTI reported, quoting a SAI source.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/tokyo-olympics-bajrang-punia-takes-home-the-bronze-medal-in-wrestling?utm_source=copy-share&amp;utm_medium=web&amp;utm_campaign=none\\\">Medal winner Bajrang Punia</a>, who once used to struggle to play on the mat, was sent to the US, Russia for the Olympics training. And, he did deliver.\"}},{\"type\":\"image\",\"data\":{\"aspectRatio\":\"66.66666667\",\"file\":{\"url\":\"https://ik.imagekit.io/o8plo3y5if/opoyi_cXDl9bvyWwX.jpg\"},\"caption\":\"India's Bajrang Bajrang celebrates after defeating Kazakhstan's Daulet Niyazbekov during their men's freestyle 65kg wrestling bronze medal match\",\"source\":\"PTI\",\"name\":\"\",\"tags\":\"\",\"mediaId\":\"KIeN1K6Bh2K1\",\"height\":4578,\"width\":6867,\"startCrop\":false,\"completeCrop\":false,\"replace\":false,\"insertAfter\":false}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"<b>Also read:&nbsp;<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/with-7-medals-india-put-on-their-best-ever-show-at-the-olympics?utm_source=copy-share&amp;utm_medium=web&amp;utm_campaign=none\\\">With 7 medals, India put on their best-ever show at the Olympics</a></b>\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"In a first, the Indian women’s hockey team<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/tokyo-olympics-india-lose-4-3-to-great-britain-miss-out-on-womens-hockey-bronze?utm_source=copy-share&amp;utm_medium=web&amp;utm_campaign=none\\\"> scripted history by entering the semi-finals of the Games</a> for the first time. Though they couldn’t win the medal but gave tough fights to their opponents. The men’s hockey team won the bronze medal after a gap of 41 years.\"}},{\"type\":\"image\",\"data\":{\"aspectRatio\":\"66.64583333\",\"file\":{\"url\":\"https://ik.imagekit.io/o8plo3y5if/opoyi_i93FwkMlb.jpg\"},\"caption\":\"Mirabai Chanu after winning the silver medal\",\"source\":\"PTI\",\"name\":\"\",\"tags\":\"\",\"mediaId\":\"Y1rbJtQHDEY6\",\"height\":3199,\"width\":4800,\"startCrop\":false,\"completeCrop\":false,\"replace\":false,\"insertAfter\":false}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"The Olympics task force was mandated to show results in the three quadrennial Games --- 2020 (Tokyo), 2024, and 2028. The performances this year have given Indians hope to see medals in double digits on the next two occasions.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Is this the \\\"spirit of New India\\\", as PM Modi says, and a beginning of the better and dominant phase for Indian sports?\"}}]}

<ul>
  <li>PM Modi constituted a ‘task force’ in 2016 to prepare a strategy for three Olympics</li>
  <li>India won seven medals - 1 gold, 2 silver and 4 bronze - at Tokyo 2020</li>
  <li>Team India has won 35 Olympic medals till date</li>
</ul>

Taskforce, training, then medals: Tokyo Olympics hint at Modi's ‘New India’

NarendraModi

TeamIndia

ManpreetSingh

Javelin

Athletics

Tokyo, Japan

Tokyo Olympics 2020 came to an end on Sunday with a grand closing ceremony in which the flag was handed over to France where the next Games will take place in 2024. "You inspired us with this unifying power of sport. This was even more remarkable given the many challenges you had to face because of the pandemic," IOC President Thomas Bach told the athletes. The flame was extinguished with a beautiful song. The Indian contingent was led by wrestler Bajrang Punia during the parade of athletes.

{\"time\":1628429496001,\"strCount\":496,\"blocks\":[{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"name\":\"intro\",\"text\":\"Tokyo Olympics 2020 came to an end on Sunday with a grand closing ceremony in which the flag was handed over to France where the next Games will take place in 2024. \\\"You inspired us with this unifying power of sport. This was even more remarkable given the many challenges you had to face because of the pandemic,\\\" IOC President Thomas Bach told the athletes. The flame was extinguished with a beautiful song. The Indian contingent was led by wrestler Bajrang Punia during the parade of athletes.\"}},{\"type\":\"image\",\"data\":{\"file\":{\"url\":\"/opoyi_8r5WCgMF9OCm.jpg\"},\"caption\":\"\",\"source\":\"\",\"tags\":\"\",\"mediaId\":\"RRPudIEd2Iuq\",\"height\":437,\"width\":680,\"startCrop\":false,\"completeCrop\":false,\"replace\":false,\"insertAfter\":false,\"aspectRatio\":\"64.26470588\"}},{\"type\":\"image\",\"data\":{\"aspectRatio\":\"66.7157585\",\"file\":{\"url\":\"/opoyi_FoazxuRzgB.jpg\"},\"caption\":\"\",\"source\":\"\",\"name\":\"\",\"tags\":\"\",\"mediaId\":\"ipcWI2SxTwzi\",\"height\":453,\"width\":679,\"startCrop\":false,\"completeCrop\":false,\"replace\":false,\"insertAfter\":false}},{\"type\":\"image\",\"data\":{\"aspectRatio\":\"66.7157585\",\"file\":{\"url\":\"/opoyi_wFWWkvnN7fOe.jpg\"},\"caption\":\"\",\"source\":\"\",\"name\":\"\",\"tags\":\"\",\"mediaId\":\"V0oUEXCVwjds\",\"height\":453,\"width\":679,\"startCrop\":false,\"completeCrop\":false,\"replace\":false,\"insertAfter\":false}},{\"type\":\"image\",\"data\":{\"aspectRatio\":\"56.3235294\",\"file\":{\"url\":\"/opoyi_dKtq-oK9rNbN.jpg\"},\"caption\":\"\",\"source\":\"\",\"name\":\"\",\"tags\":\"\",\"mediaId\":\"OI7OkVqubzwy\",\"height\":383,\"width\":680,\"startCrop\":false,\"completeCrop\":false,\"replace\":false,\"insertAfter\":false}},{\"type\":\"image\",\"data\":{\"aspectRatio\":\"56.3235294\",\"file\":{\"url\":\"/opoyi_5ahlm1TD0X.jpg\"},\"caption\":\"\",\"source\":\"\",\"name\":\"\",\"tags\":\"\",\"mediaId\":\"WZssDDYM0gbe\",\"height\":383,\"width\":680,\"startCrop\":false,\"completeCrop\":false,\"replace\":false,\"insertAfter\":false}},{\"type\":\"image\",\"data\":{\"aspectRatio\":\"66.7157585\",\"file\":{\"url\":\"/opoyi_fnRgyeeAhIb.jpg\"},\"caption\":\"\",\"source\":\"\",\"name\":\"\",\"tags\":\"\",\"mediaId\":\"xtWZo2HlYwea\",\"height\":453,\"width\":679,\"startCrop\":false,\"completeCrop\":false,\"replace\":false,\"insertAfter\":false}},{\"type\":\"image\",\"data\":{\"aspectRatio\":\"75.0000000\",\"file\":{\"url\":\"/opoyi_XTLZBlGK2RjP.jpg\"},\"caption\":\"\",\"source\":\"\",\"name\":\"\",\"tags\":\"\",\"mediaId\":\"iYu5Jysm0HSm\",\"height\":510,\"width\":680,\"startCrop\":false,\"completeCrop\":false,\"replace\":false,\"insertAfter\":false}}]}

Glimpses from the 2020 Tokyo Olympics closing ceremony

Indian wrestler <a href="https://opoyi.com/topic/BajrangPunia">Bajrang Punia</a> took home the bronze medal after beating Kazakhstan's Daulet Niyazbekov 8-0 in the men's freestyle 65kg category at the <a href="https://opoyi.com/topic/tokyoolympics">2020 Toyko Olympics</a>. Owing to this, India got its sixth medal at the Summer Games.,If his defence let him down in the semifinal against Hazi Aliev, Bajrang's smart attacking moves made him an 8-0 winner against Kazakhstan's Niyazbekov, to whom he had lost in the semifinals of the 2019 World Championship.,With Bajrang's medal, Indian wrestlers have matched their best performance at the <a href="https://opoyi.com/topic/tokyoolympics">Olympic Games</a>. At the 2012 London Games, Sushil Kumar won a silver and Yogeshwar Dutt returned with a bronze.,With his podium, India also equalled their best ever Olympic medal haul of six achieved in the <a href="https://opoyi.com/topic/olympics">2012 London edition</a>.,Bajrang earned the first point on the passivity of Niyazbekov as standing wrestling was on display.,The Indian initiated a right-leg attack but Niyazbekov had the Indian in a headlock. Bajrang freed himself from the position and earned another point by pushing out the Kazakhstan wrestler, leading 2-0 at the end of first period.,His right-leg attack again did not convert into points with Niyazbekov again stopping him with his headlock.,Bajrang kept attacking and finally executed a take-down with a right-leg attack. He repeated the move for a commanding 6-0 lead and took it away from Niyazbekov with another move on the left-leg.,Niyazbekov was surprisingly very subdued after coming to the Play-off round with a win in the repechage round.,Bajrang had defeated Kyrgyzstan's Ernazar Akmataliev and Iran's Morteza Cheka Ghiasi before losing to Hazai Aliev from Azerbaijan in the semifinals on Friday.,In the semi-final match, Rio Olympics bronze-winner Aliev of Azerbaijan consistently attacked Bajrang's legs and twice got himself into position from where he could roll the Indian comfortably for easy two-point throws.,Trailing 1-4 after the first period, Bajrang looked for a big attack but Aliev effected a counter takedown, placing his shoulder close to the thighs of Bajrang and threw the Indian for a huge 8-1 lead.,The Azerbaijani was losing steam and Bajrang got two take-downs to reduce the deficit but the required big move never came. Under 30 seconds left in the bout, Bajrang desperately looked for an attack but Aliev did not let him do that by gripping him in a strong body lock.,<a href="https://opoyi.com/who-is-bajrang-punia">Currently ranked world number 1 ranking</a>&nbsp;in the 65kg category, he achieved the ranking after he won a silver medal at the 2018 World Wrestling Championship. He booked his Tokyo Olympics berth after taking home a bronze medal at the 2019 World Championship.

{\"time\":1628432818118,\"strCount\":2879,\"blocks\":[{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Indian wrestler <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/BajrangPunia/\\\">Bajrang Punia</a> took home the bronze medal after beating Kazakhstan's Daulet Niyazbekov 8-0 in the men's freestyle 65kg category at the <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/tokyoolympics/\\\">2020 Toyko Olympics</a>. Owing to this, India got its sixth medal at the Summer Games.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"If his defence let him down in the semifinal against Hazi Aliev, Bajrang's smart attacking moves made him an 8-0 winner against Kazakhstan's Niyazbekov, to whom he had lost in the semifinals of the 2019 World Championship.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"With Bajrang's medal, Indian wrestlers have matched their best performance at the <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/tokyoolympics/\\\">Olympic Games</a>. At the 2012 London Games, Sushil Kumar won a silver and Yogeshwar Dutt returned with a bronze.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"With his podium, India also equalled their best ever Olympic medal haul of six achieved in the <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/olympics/\\\">2012 London edition</a>.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Bajrang earned the first point on the passivity of Niyazbekov as standing wrestling was on display.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"The Indian initiated a right-leg attack but Niyazbekov had the Indian in a headlock. Bajrang freed himself from the position and earned another point by pushing out the Kazakhstan wrestler, leading 2-0 at the end of first period.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"His right-leg attack again did not convert into points with Niyazbekov again stopping him with his headlock.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Bajrang kept attacking and finally executed a take-down with a right-leg attack. He repeated the move for a commanding 6-0 lead and took it away from Niyazbekov with another move on the left-leg.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Niyazbekov was surprisingly very subdued after coming to the Play-off round with a win in the repechage round.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Bajrang had defeated Kyrgyzstan's Ernazar Akmataliev and Iran's Morteza Cheka Ghiasi before losing to Hazai Aliev from Azerbaijan in the semifinals on Friday.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"In the semi-final match, Rio Olympics bronze-winner Aliev of Azerbaijan consistently attacked Bajrang's legs and twice got himself into position from where he could roll the Indian comfortably for easy two-point throws.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Trailing 1-4 after the first period, Bajrang looked for a big attack but Aliev effected a counter takedown, placing his shoulder close to the thighs of Bajrang and threw the Indian for a huge 8-1 lead.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"The Azerbaijani was losing steam and Bajrang got two take-downs to reduce the deficit but the required big move never came. Under 30 seconds left in the bout, Bajrang desperately looked for an attack but Aliev did not let him do that by gripping him in a strong body lock.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/who-is-bajrang-punia-105832/\\\">Currently ranked world number 1 ranking</a>&nbsp;in the 65kg category, he achieved the ranking after he won a silver medal at the 2018 World Wrestling Championship. He booked his Tokyo Olympics berth after taking home a bronze medal at the 2019 World Championship.\"}}]}

<ul>
  <li>Bajrang Punia was up against Daulet Niyazbekov</li>
  <li>He was competing in the men's freestyle 65kg event</li>
  <li>He had lost to Haji Aliyev in the semi-finals of the event</li>
</ul>

Tokyo Olympics: Bajrang Punia takes home the bronze medal in wrestling

India suffered a few heartbreaks on Day 15 of the Tokyo Olympics. It began with the&nbsp;<a href="https://opoyi.com/tokyo-olympics-india-lose-4-3-to-great-britain-miss-out-on-womens-hockey-bronze">Indian women's hockey</a>&nbsp;team missing out on an Olympic bronze medal narrowly by losing 3-4 to Great Britain. Despite the loss, they earned plenty of respect with a momentous fourth-place finish.,The second heartbreak came in the form of <a href="https://opoyi.com/who-is-bajrang-punia">Bajrang Punia</a>, who lost his men's freestyle 65kg bout to&nbsp;<a href="https://opoyi.com/who-is-haji-aliyev-bajrang-punias-opponent-in-tokyo-olympics-semi-final">Azerbaijan's Haji Aliev</a>. The 27-year-old wrestler, who was aiming to reach the gold medal match, lost the match 5-12 in a lop-sided affair. He will now be playing&nbsp;<a href="https://opoyi.com/topic/olympics">for the bronze medal</a>&nbsp;on Saturday.&nbsp;,Wrestler Seema Bisla's dream of winning a medal crashed with Tunisian Sarra Hamdi's loss to Azerbaijan's Mariya Stadnik in the women's freestyle 50 kg event.&nbsp;,Golfer&nbsp;<a href="https://opoyi.com/who-is-aditi-ashok?utm_source=copy-share&amp;utm_medium=web&amp;utm_campaign=none">Aditi Ashok</a>, however, remains in medal contention after she was placed second after round 2 on Friday. The 23-year-old is currently four shots behind the top-ranked Nelly Korda of the USA.&nbsp;,Meanwhile, the Indian men's 4x400m relay&nbsp;<a href="https://opoyi.com/tokyo-olympics-was-sjoerd-marijnes-last-assignment-with-india-womens-hockey">team</a>&nbsp;broke their Asian record, however, failed to qualify for the finals.&nbsp;The quartet of Muhammed Anas Yahiya, Tom Noah Nirmal, Rajiv Arokia and Amoj Jacob landed the fourth spot with a timing of 3:00.25sec in the second heat.,Day 16 will see Indian golfers Diksha Dagar and Aditi Ashok in action.&nbsp;Javelin thrower&nbsp;<a href="https://opoyi.com/topic/NeerajChopra">Neeraj Chopra</a>&nbsp;will also be in focus as India eye its first athletics medal in the Olympics and end a 100-year wait. <a href="https://opoyi.com/topic/NeerajChopra">Neeraj topped the qualification</a>&nbsp;round with a stunning first-round throw of 86.59m.&nbsp;,India has so far won 5 medals in Tokyo Olympics 2020.,<b>Here is a complete schedule:</b>,<b>Golf&nbsp;</b>– Women’s Individual Stroke Play Round 4 – Aditi Ashok, Diksha Dagar - 3.00 am,<b>Athletics</b>&nbsp;– Men’s Javelin Throw Final – Neeraj Chopra – 4.30 pm,<b>Wrestling</b>&nbsp;– MFS 65kg Bronze/Final – Bajrang Punia – 3.15 pm onwards

{\"time\":1628293495204,\"strCount\":2551,\"blocks\":[{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"India suffered a few heartbreaks on Day 15 of the Tokyo Olympics. It began with the&nbsp;<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/tokyo-olympics-india-lose-4-3-to-great-britain-miss-out-on-womens-hockey-bronze-654087/\\\">Indian women's hockey</a>&nbsp;team missing out on an Olympic bronze medal narrowly by losing 3-4 to Great Britain. Despite the loss, they earned plenty of respect with a momentous fourth-place finish.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"The second heartbreak came in the form of <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/who-is-bajrang-punia-105832/\\\">Bajrang Punia</a>, who lost his men's freestyle 65kg bout to&nbsp;<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/who-is-haji-aliyev-bajrang-punias-opponent-in-tokyo-olympics-semi-final-283364/\\\">Azerbaijan's Haji Aliev</a>. The 27-year-old wrestler, who was aiming to reach the gold medal match, lost the match 5-12 in a lop-sided affair. He will now be playing&nbsp;<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/olympics/\\\">for the bronze medal</a>&nbsp;on Saturday.&nbsp;\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Wrestler Seema Bisla's dream of winning a medal crashed with Tunisian Sarra Hamdi's loss to Azerbaijan's Mariya Stadnik in the women's freestyle 50 kg event.&nbsp;\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Golfer&nbsp;<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/who-is-aditi-ashok?utm_source=copy-share&amp;utm_medium=web&amp;utm_campaign=none\\\">Aditi Ashok</a>, however, remains in medal contention after she was placed second after round 2 on Friday. The 23-year-old is currently four shots behind the top-ranked Nelly Korda of the USA.&nbsp;\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Meanwhile, the Indian men's 4x400m relay&nbsp;<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/tokyo-olympics-was-sjoerd-marijnes-last-assignment-with-india-womens-hockey-583142/\\\">team</a>&nbsp;broke their Asian record, however, failed to qualify for the finals.&nbsp;The quartet of Muhammed Anas Yahiya, Tom Noah Nirmal, Rajiv Arokia and Amoj Jacob landed the fourth spot with a timing of 3:00.25sec in the second heat.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Day 16 will see Indian golfers Diksha Dagar and Aditi Ashok in action.&nbsp;Javelin thrower&nbsp;<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/NeerajChopra/\\\">Neeraj Chopra</a>&nbsp;will also be in focus as India eye its first athletics medal in the Olympics and end a 100-year wait. <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/NeerajChopra/\\\">Neeraj topped the qualification</a>&nbsp;round with a stunning first-round throw of 86.59m.&nbsp;\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"India has so far won 5 medals in Tokyo Olympics 2020.\"}},{\"type\":\"image\",\"data\":{\"aspectRatio\":\"100.00000000\",\"file\":{\"url\":\"/opoyi_uAj9JIMkx52l.jpg\"},\"caption\":\"\",\"source\":\"\",\"name\":\"\",\"tags\":\"\",\"mediaId\":\"GigAzKG4It2H\",\"height\":1080,\"width\":1080,\"startCrop\":false,\"completeCrop\":false,\"replace\":false,\"insertAfter\":false}},{\"type\":\"image\",\"data\":{\"aspectRatio\":\"100.0000000\",\"file\":{\"url\":\"/opoyi__RJzOOHwMFM.jpg\"},\"caption\":\"\",\"source\":\"\",\"name\":\"\",\"tags\":\"\",\"mediaId\":\"IVRi5CnHQwqf\",\"height\":1080,\"width\":1080,\"startCrop\":false,\"completeCrop\":false,\"replace\":false,\"insertAfter\":false}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"<b>Here is a complete schedule:</b>\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"<b>Golf&nbsp;</b>– Women’s Individual Stroke Play Round 4 – Aditi Ashok, Diksha Dagar - 3.00 am\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"<b>Athletics</b>&nbsp;– Men’s Javelin Throw Final – Neeraj Chopra – 4.30 pm\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"<b>Wrestling</b>&nbsp;– MFS 65kg Bronze/Final – Bajrang Punia – 3.15 pm onwards\"}}]}

<ul>
  <li>Day 16 will see Indian golfers Diksha Dagar and Aditi Ashok in action</li>
  <li>Javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra will also be in focus</li>
  <li>Wrestler Bajrang Punia will be playing for bronze medal</li>
</ul>

Tokyo Olympics: Indians in the fray on Day 16

AditiAshok

The Indian women's hockey team may have lost to Great Britain 3-4 in the bronze medal match but surely earned plenty of respect with a momentous fourth-place finish in the Olympic Games. Meanwhile, Netherlands women's hockey team defeated Argentina to clinch the gold medal. Meanwhile, Indian wrestler Bajrang Punia lost his men's freestyle 65kg bout to Azerbaijan's Haji Aliev on Friday. Bajrang will now play for the bronze medal on Saturday.

{\"time\":1628279094200,\"strCount\":444,\"blocks\":[{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"name\":\"intro\",\"text\":\"The Indian women's hockey team may have lost to Great Britain 3-4 in the bronze medal match but surely earned plenty of respect with a momentous fourth-place finish in the Olympic Games. Meanwhile, Netherlands women's hockey team defeated Argentina to clinch the gold medal. Meanwhile, Indian wrestler Bajrang Punia lost his men's freestyle 65kg bout to Azerbaijan's Haji Aliev on Friday. Bajrang will now play for the bronze medal on Saturday.\"}},{\"type\":\"image\",\"data\":{\"aspectRatio\":\"138.5281385\",\"file\":{\"url\":\"https://ik.imagekit.io/o8plo3y5if/opoyi_bsxP4r2jd.jpg\"},\"caption\":\"Tokyo: Indian goalkeeper Savita Punia being consoled by team scientific Advisor Wayne Lombard after their women's field hockey bronze medal match against Great Britain, at the 2020 Summer Olympics, in Tokyo, Friday, Aug. 6, 2021. (PTI)\",\"source\":\"PTI\",\"name\":\"opoyi_bsxP4r2jd.jpg\",\"tags\":\"\",\"mediaId\":\"obv0MI5VcjAG\",\"height\":4800,\"width\":3465,\"startCrop\":false,\"completeCrop\":false,\"replace\":false,\"insertAfter\":false}},{\"type\":\"image\",\"data\":{\"aspectRatio\":\"66.6666667\",\"file\":{\"url\":\"https://ik.imagekit.io/o8plo3y5if/opoyi_hB4Gz2OYShK.jpg\"},\"caption\":\"Tokyo: Kate French of Great Britain celebrates winning the gold medal at the end of the women's modern pentathlon at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 6, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. (PTI)\",\"source\":\"PTI\",\"name\":\"opoyi_hB4Gz2OYShK.jpg\",\"tags\":\"\",\"mediaId\":\"J0JZDH8iC6wD\",\"height\":3300,\"width\":4950,\"startCrop\":false,\"completeCrop\":false,\"replace\":false,\"insertAfter\":false}},{\"type\":\"image\",\"data\":{\"aspectRatio\":\"70.9583333\",\"file\":{\"url\":\"https://ik.imagekit.io/o8plo3y5if/opoyi_EYkOWx0R46i.jpg\"},\"caption\":\"Tokyo: India's Bajrang Punia reacts after his bout against Haji Aliyev of Azerbaijan in the semi-finals during their men's freestyle 65kg wrestling match at the 2020 Summer Olympics, in Japan, Friday, Aug. 6, 2021. (PTI Photo/Gurinder Osan)\",\"source\":\"PTI\",\"name\":\"opoyi_EYkOWx0R46i.jpg\",\"tags\":\"\",\"mediaId\":\"7xZI14AUeqqR\",\"height\":3406,\"width\":4800,\"startCrop\":false,\"completeCrop\":false,\"replace\":false,\"insertAfter\":false}},{\"type\":\"image\",\"data\":{\"aspectRatio\":\"66.6666667\",\"file\":{\"url\":\"https://ik.imagekit.io/o8plo3y5if/opoyi_xN-6boGRa.jpg\"},\"caption\":\"Tokyo : Zenfira Magomedalieva, of the Russian Olympic Committee, left, and China's Li Qian react after their women's middleweight 75-kg boxing match at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 6, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. (AP/PTI)\",\"source\":\"PTI\",\"name\":\"opoyi_xN-6boGRa.jpg\",\"tags\":\"\",\"mediaId\":\"lJVvvZSb8zTx\",\"height\":2000,\"width\":3000,\"startCrop\":false,\"completeCrop\":false,\"replace\":false,\"insertAfter\":false}},{\"type\":\"image\",\"data\":{\"file\":{\"url\":\"https://ik.imagekit.io/o8plo3y5if/opoyi_Tw-8Fbk-n.jpg\"},\"caption\":\"Tokyo: Netherlands players celebrate after beating Argentina in the women's gold medal field hockey match during the 2020 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 6, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. (PTI)\",\"source\":\"PTI\",\"tags\":\"\",\"mediaId\":\"KNcwVxpb6AsJ\",\"height\":3628,\"width\":5439,\"startCrop\":false,\"completeCrop\":false,\"replace\":false,\"insertAfter\":false,\"aspectRatio\":\"66.70343813\"}}]}

In pics: The highs and the lows of Tokyo Olympics Day 15

India's <a href="https://opoyi.com/who-is-bajrang-punia">Bajrang Punia</a> lost his men's freestyle 65kg bout to <a href="https://opoyi.com/who-is-haji-aliyev-bajrang-punias-opponent-in-tokyo-olympics-semi-final">Azerbaijan's Haji Aliev</a> at the <a href="https://opoyi.com/topic/tokyoolympics">2020 Tokyo Olympics</a>, on Friday. Bajrang, who was aiming to reach the gold medal match, was outclassed by a superior opponent. The Indian wrestler lost the match 5-12 in a lop-sided affair.,Bajrang will now play <a href="https://opoyi.com/topic/olympics">for the bronze medal</a>. This comes a day after India got a wrestling silver medal in the form of Ravi Kumar Dahiya and came agonisingly close to getting bronze as world no 2 Deepak Punia squandered an opportunity.,Rio Olympics bronze-winner Aliev of Azerbaijan consistently attacked Bajrang's legs and twice got himself into position from where he could roll the Indian comfortably for easy two-point throws.,Trailing 1-4 after the first period, Bajrang looked for a big attack but Aliev effected a counter takedown, placing his shoulder close to the thighs of Bajrang and threw the Indian for a huge 8-1 lead.,The Azerbaijani was losing steam and Bajrang got two take-downs to reduce the deficit but the required big move never came. Under 30 seconds left in the bout, Bajrang desperately looked for an attack but Aliev did not let him do that by gripping him in a strong body lock.,Bajrang will now fight for bronze. If he manages to win, India will match its best result at the Olympics. Sushil Kumar and Yogeshwar Dutt had won a silver and a bronze at the 2012 London Games.,En route to the semi-final, Bajrang defeated Iran's&nbsp;Morteza Ghiasi Cheka in the quarterfinal.,After trailing in the first period and briefly in the second period, Bajrang upped the ante and countered his Iranian opponent's moves.,As the second period moved towards the final minute, Ghiasi looked like making a dangerous move when he got hold of Bajrang's right leg and almost pulled off a takedown.,But <a href="https://opoyi.com/tokyo-olympics-indian-wrestler-bajrang-punia-wins-advances-to-next-round">Bajrang wriggled out of that clutch</a>, turned his rival, pushed him on the mat and held him with his immense strength to emerge victorious by fall.,<a href="https://opoyi.com/who-is-bajrang-punia">Currently ranked world number 1 ranking</a> in the 65kg category, he achieved the ranking after he won a silver medal at the 2018 World Wrestling Championship. He booked his Tokyo Olympics berth after taking home a bronze medal at the 2019 World Championship.

{\"time\":1628245507146,\"strCount\":2603,\"blocks\":[{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"India's <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/who-is-bajrang-punia-105832/\\\">Bajrang Punia</a> lost his men's freestyle 65kg bout to <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/who-is-haji-aliyev-bajrang-punias-opponent-in-tokyo-olympics-semi-final-283364/\\\">Azerbaijan's Haji Aliev</a> at the <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/tokyoolympics/\\\">2020 Tokyo Olympics</a>, on Friday. Bajrang, who was aiming to reach the gold medal match, was outclassed by a superior opponent. The Indian wrestler lost the match 5-12 in a lop-sided affair.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Bajrang will now play <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/olympics/\\\">for the bronze medal</a>. This comes a day after India got a wrestling silver medal in the form of Ravi Kumar Dahiya and came agonisingly close to getting bronze as world no 2 Deepak Punia squandered an opportunity.\"}},{\"type\":\"image\",\"data\":{\"aspectRatio\":\"34.31372549\",\"file\":{\"url\":\"/opoyi_lRoXMBpOxpl.jpg\"},\"caption\":\"\",\"source\":\"\",\"name\":\"\",\"tags\":\"\",\"mediaId\":\"KX5cbbND0hyB\",\"height\":210,\"width\":612,\"startCrop\":false,\"completeCrop\":false,\"replace\":false,\"insertAfter\":false}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Rio Olympics bronze-winner Aliev of Azerbaijan consistently attacked Bajrang's legs and twice got himself into position from where he could roll the Indian comfortably for easy two-point throws.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Trailing 1-4 after the first period, Bajrang looked for a big attack but Aliev effected a counter takedown, placing his shoulder close to the thighs of Bajrang and threw the Indian for a huge 8-1 lead.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"The Azerbaijani was losing steam and Bajrang got two take-downs to reduce the deficit but the required big move never came. Under 30 seconds left in the bout, Bajrang desperately looked for an attack but Aliev did not let him do that by gripping him in a strong body lock.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Bajrang will now fight for bronze. If he manages to win, India will match its best result at the Olympics. Sushil Kumar and Yogeshwar Dutt had won a silver and a bronze at the 2012 London Games.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"En route to the semi-final, Bajrang defeated Iran's&nbsp;Morteza Ghiasi Cheka in the quarterfinal.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"After trailing in the first period and briefly in the second period, Bajrang upped the ante and countered his Iranian opponent's moves.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"As the second period moved towards the final minute, Ghiasi looked like making a dangerous move when he got hold of Bajrang's right leg and almost pulled off a takedown.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"But <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/tokyo-olympics-indian-wrestler-bajrang-punia-wins-advances-to-next-round-459011/\\\">Bajrang wriggled out of that clutch</a>, turned his rival, pushed him on the mat and held him with his immense strength to emerge victorious by fall.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/who-is-bajrang-punia-105832/\\\">Currently ranked world number 1 ranking</a> in the 65kg category, he achieved the ranking after he won a silver medal at the 2018 World Wrestling Championship. He booked his Tokyo Olympics berth after taking home a bronze medal at the 2019 World Championship.\"}}]}

<ul>
  <li>Wrestler Bajrang Punia was up against Azerbaijan's Haji Aliyev</li>
  <li>He was competing in the men's freestyle 65kg category</li>
  <li>He is aiming to get India its second wrestling medal at the Summer Games</li>
</ul>

Tokyo Olympics: Wrestler Bajrang Punia loses in semis, to play for bronze

India's <a href="https://opoyi.com/who-is-bajrang-punia">Bajrang Punia</a> exhibited a solid performance as he stormed into the men's freestyle 65kg semi-final after registering a hard-fought win against Iran's Cheka Ghiasi at the <a href="https://opoyi.com/topic/tokyoolympics">2020 Tokyo Olympics</a>, on Friday.,He will now be up against Azerbaijan's Haji Aliyev, who is a veteran and a successive European champion (2018-2019).,As the Indian wrestler is one bout away <a href="https://opoyi.com/topic/tokyoolympics">from an Olympic medal</a>, he will have to put to test all his wrestling acumen against a formidable opponent.&nbsp;,The Azerbaijan wrestler is a <a href="https://opoyi.com/topic/wrestling">three-time world champion</a> and a bronze medal winner at the 2016 Rio Olympics. However, it should be noted that all his victories came in lighter weight categories.,His golds at the world championships came in the 61kg category and his Olympic medal was in the 57kg category.,In the 65kg category victories that he achieved at the European Championships made him the strongest competitor in that weight category in Europe.,<b>Haji Aliyev's achievements:</b>,2017 Wrestling World Cup, Bronze Medal,2018 Wrestling World Cup, Silver Medal,2018 European Championships, Gold Medal,2019 European Championships, Gold Medal,2019 European Games, Gold Medal,2020 Individual World Cup, Bronze Medal,At the <a href="https://opoyi.com/topic/tokyoolympics">Tokyo Games</a>, he started his campaign with a victory by points (4-0) over Senegal’s Adama Diatta and then followed it up with an impressive 9-1 victory over Kazakhstan third-seed Daulet Niyazbekov.,In their previous encounter, the <a href="https://opoyi.com/topic/bajrangpunia">Indian wrestler</a> had gotten the better of his Azerbaijan opponent in the 2019 Pro Wrestling League beating him 8-6.,Aliyev is expected to be a tough test for Bajrang, who is not looking in the best of his forms. However, his impressive tactics and composure have always been his strong points, having negated many threats in his previous bouts.,Bajrang, in his previous bout, after <a href="https://opoyi.com/tokyo-olympics-indian-wrestler-bajrang-punia-wins-advances-to-next-round">being severely crippled</a> by his Iranian counterpart's tactics, Bajrang found a moment of inspiration and countered a dangerous move from Ghiasi.,Bajrang wriggled out of a Ghiasi hold and moved into a position from where he turned his rival, pushed him on the mat and held him with his immense strength to emerge victorious by fall.

{\"time\":1628236637069,\"strCount\":2557,\"blocks\":[{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"India's <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/who-is-bajrang-punia-105832/\\\">Bajrang Punia</a> exhibited a solid performance as he stormed into the men's freestyle 65kg semi-final after registering a hard-fought win against Iran's Cheka Ghiasi at the <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/tokyoolympics/\\\">2020 Tokyo Olympics</a>, on Friday.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"He will now be up against Azerbaijan's Haji Aliyev, who is a veteran and a successive European champion (2018-2019).\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"As the Indian wrestler is one bout away <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/tokyoolympics/\\\">from an Olympic medal</a>, he will have to put to test all his wrestling acumen against a formidable opponent.&nbsp;\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"The Azerbaijan wrestler is a <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/wrestling/\\\">three-time world champion</a> and a bronze medal winner at the 2016 Rio Olympics. However, it should be noted that all his victories came in lighter weight categories.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"His golds at the world championships came in the 61kg category and his Olympic medal was in the 57kg category.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"In the 65kg category victories that he achieved at the European Championships made him the strongest competitor in that weight category in Europe.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"<b>Haji Aliyev's achievements:</b>\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"2017 Wrestling World Cup, Bronze Medal\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"2018 Wrestling World Cup, Silver Medal\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"2018 European Championships, Gold Medal\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"2019 European Championships, Gold Medal\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"2019 European Games, Gold Medal\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"2020 Individual World Cup, Bronze Medal\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"At the <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/tokyoolympics/\\\">Tokyo Games</a>, he started his campaign with a victory by points (4-0) over Senegal’s Adama Diatta and then followed it up with an impressive 9-1 victory over Kazakhstan third-seed Daulet Niyazbekov.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"In their previous encounter, the <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/bajrangpunia/\\\">Indian wrestler</a> had gotten the better of his Azerbaijan opponent in the 2019 Pro Wrestling League beating him 8-6.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Aliyev is expected to be a tough test for Bajrang, who is not looking in the best of his forms. However, his impressive tactics and composure have always been his strong points, having negated many threats in his previous bouts.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Bajrang, in his previous bout, after <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/tokyo-olympics-indian-wrestler-bajrang-punia-wins-advances-to-next-round-459011/\\\">being severely crippled</a> by his Iranian counterpart's tactics, Bajrang found a moment of inspiration and countered a dangerous move from Ghiasi.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Bajrang wriggled out of a Ghiasi hold and moved into a position from where he turned his rival, pushed him on the mat and held him with his immense strength to emerge victorious by fall.\"}}]}

<ul>
  <li>Haji Aliyev is a three-time world champion</li>
  <li>He is also a bronze medal winner at the 2016 Rio Olympics</li>
  <li>His golds at the world championships came in the 61kg category</li>
</ul>

Who is Haji Aliyev, Bajrang Punia’s opponent in Tokyo Olympics semi-final?

Azerbaijan

Shubham Banerjee

Sangeeta Phogat
is an Indian <a href="https://opoyi.com/topic/wrestling">wrestler</a> who competes in the 59kg freestyle category. She is the
daughter of famed wrestling coach Mahavir Singh Phogat, who has bred a family <a href="https://opoyi.com/topic/tokyoolympics">Olympians</a>
and international medal winning wrestlers. ,Born on
March 5, 1998 in Balali, Haryana, Sangeeta is the youngest of the Phogat
sisters, with her elder sisters Geeta, <a href="https://opoyi.com/its-a-baby-boy-for-wrestler-babita-phogat?utm_source=copy-share&amp;utm_medium=web&amp;utm_campaign=none">Babita</a> and Ritu all either Olympians or
World Champions in wrestling. Her siblings also have a total of nine Asian
championship medals and all of them are national champions. Ritu is currently
an MMA fighter currently signed with One Championship. ,Sangeeta,
23, has won a silver medal at the national championships and has a long way to
go to emulate her sisters and keep the family tradition alive. Sangita also has
a younger brother, Dushyant, and two cousin sisters – <a href="https://opoyi.com/topic/vinesh-phogat">Vinesh</a> and Priyanka
Phogat. ,Geeta won
India its first wrestling gold medal at the <a href="https://opoyi.com/topic/commonwealthgames2022">Commonwealth Games</a> in 2010, with Vinesh
clinching gold at the 2014 and 2018 Games. Babita has also won three golds in
the 55kg category. Priyanka is a silver medalist at the 2018 Asian Wrestling
Championships in Bangkok. Ritu is a national champion. ,On November
25, 2020, Sangeeta married wrestler Bajrang Punia. The two had initially planned
to tie the knot after the conclusion of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, but the
pandemic delayed the Games by a year.,<b>Also Read |</b>&nbsp;<a href="https://opoyi.com/wrestler-bajrang-punia-medals?utm_source=copy-share&amp;utm_medium=web&amp;utm_campaign=none">How many medals has Indian wrestler Bajrang Punia won?</a>,At the
wedding, the two took eight ‘pheras’ instead of seven, with the extra one
dedicated to the girl child as they honoured the government’s ‘Beti Bachao Beti
Padhao’ campaign. ,Interestingly,
all the Phogat sisters, except for Ritu, are married to fellow wrestlers. Geeta
is married to wrestler Pawan Kumar, while Babita’s husband is grappler Vivek
Suhag, and Vinesh is married to Somvir Rathee. ,Sangeeta
first met <a href="https://opoyi.com/who-is-bajrang-punia?utm_source=copy-share&amp;utm_medium=web&amp;utm_campaign=none">Bajrang</a> at a wrester’s training camp in Sonepat, Haryana and were
married at a quiet ceremony at the Phogat hometown of Balali in Haryana. ,At the ongoing Tokyo Olympics, <a href="https://opoyi.com/tokyo-olympics-indian-wrestler-bajrang-punia-wins-advances-to-next-round?utm_source=copy-share&amp;utm_medium=web&amp;utm_campaign=none">Bajrang stormed into the semi-finals</a> of the 65kg freestyle event on Friday, defeating Kyrgyzstan's Ernazar Akmataliev and&nbsp;Iran's Morteza Ghiasi Cheka in the pre-quarters and the quarterfinals respectively.&nbsp;,He will now face&nbsp;Azerbaijan's Haji Aliev for a place in the gold medal bout. 

{\"time\":1628233562661,\"strCount\":3082,\"blocks\":[{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Sangeeta Phogat\\nis an Indian <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/wrestling/\\\">wrestler</a> who competes in the 59kg freestyle category. She is the\\ndaughter of famed wrestling coach Mahavir Singh Phogat, who has bred a family <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/tokyoolympics/\\\">Olympians</a>\\nand international medal winning wrestlers. \"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Born on\\nMarch 5, 1998 in Balali, Haryana, Sangeeta is the youngest of the Phogat\\nsisters, with her elder sisters Geeta, <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/its-a-baby-boy-for-wrestler-babita-phogat?utm_source=copy-share&amp;utm_medium=web&amp;utm_campaign=none\\\">Babita</a> and Ritu all either Olympians or\\nWorld Champions in wrestling. Her siblings also have a total of nine Asian\\nchampionship medals and all of them are national champions. Ritu is currently\\nan MMA fighter currently signed with One Championship. \"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Sangeeta,\\n23, has won a silver medal at the national championships and has a long way to\\ngo to emulate her sisters and keep the family tradition alive. Sangita also has\\na younger brother, Dushyant, and two cousin sisters – <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/vineshphogat/\\\">Vinesh</a> and Priyanka\\nPhogat. \"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Geeta won\\nIndia its first wrestling gold medal at the <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/commonwealthgames2022/\\\">Commonwealth Games</a> in 2010, with Vinesh\\nclinching gold at the 2014 and 2018 Games. Babita has also won three golds in\\nthe 55kg category. Priyanka is a silver medalist at the 2018 Asian Wrestling\\nChampionships in Bangkok. Ritu is a national champion. \"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"On November\\n25, 2020, Sangeeta married wrestler Bajrang Punia. The two had initially planned\\nto tie the knot after the conclusion of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, but the\\npandemic delayed the Games by a year.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"<b>Also Read |</b>&nbsp;<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/wrestler-bajrang-punia-medals?utm_source=copy-share&amp;utm_medium=web&amp;utm_campaign=none\\\">How many medals has Indian wrestler Bajrang Punia won?</a>\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"At the\\nwedding, the two took eight ‘pheras’ instead of seven, with the extra one\\ndedicated to the girl child as they honoured the government’s ‘Beti Bachao Beti\\nPadhao’ campaign. \"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Interestingly,\\nall the Phogat sisters, except for Ritu, are married to fellow wrestlers. Geeta\\nis married to wrestler Pawan Kumar, while Babita’s husband is grappler Vivek\\nSuhag, and Vinesh is married to Somvir Rathee. \"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Sangeeta\\nfirst met <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/who-is-bajrang-punia?utm_source=copy-share&amp;utm_medium=web&amp;utm_campaign=none\\\">Bajrang</a> at a wrester’s training camp in Sonepat, Haryana and were\\nmarried at a quiet ceremony at the Phogat hometown of Balali in Haryana. \"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"At the ongoing Tokyo Olympics, <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/tokyo-olympics-indian-wrestler-bajrang-punia-wins-advances-to-next-round?utm_source=copy-share&amp;utm_medium=web&amp;utm_campaign=none\\\">Bajrang stormed into the semi-finals</a> of the 65kg freestyle event on Friday, defeating Kyrgyzstan's Ernazar Akmataliev and&nbsp;Iran's Morteza Ghiasi Cheka in the pre-quarters and the quarterfinals respectively.&nbsp;\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"He will now face&nbsp;Azerbaijan's Haji Aliev for a place in the gold medal bout. \"}}]}

<ul>
  <li>Sangeeta Phogat is an Indian wrestler who competes in the 59kg freestyle category</li>
  <li>Sangeeta, 23, has won a silver medal at the national championships</li>
  <li>On November 25, 2020, Sangeeta married wrestler Bajrang Punia</li>
</ul>

Who is Sangeeta Phogat, wrestler Bajrang Punia's wife

Indian wrestler&nbsp;<a href="https://opoyi.com/topic/BajrangPunia">Bajrang Punia</a>&nbsp;defeated Iran's&nbsp;Morteza Ghiasi Cheka to <a href="https://opoyi.com/tokyo-olympics-indian-wrestler-bajrang-punia-wins-advances-to-next-round?utm_source=copy-share&amp;utm_medium=web&amp;utm_campaign=none">reach the semifinal of the men's 65kg freestyle</a> at the&nbsp;<a href="https://opoyi.com/topic/tokyoolympics">2020 Tokyo Olympics</a>.&nbsp;He will face Haji Aliyev of Azerbaijan.&nbsp;Aliev is a three-time world champion and a bronze medal winner from the Rio Games.,In the 1/8 final (pre-quarters), the Indian grappler defeated&nbsp;Kyrgyzstan's Ernazar Akmataliev 3-1.&nbsp;,<b>Also read:<a href="https://opoyi.com/proud-fans-as-india-womens-hockey-teams-olympics-fairytale-run-ends?utm_source=copy-share&amp;utm_medium=web&amp;utm_campaign=none">&nbsp;Proud: Fans as India women's hockey team's Olympics fairytale run ends</a></b>,Hailing from Haryana, Punia, 27, is currently ranked No 1 in the 65 kg weight category. He is the only Indian wrestler to have won three medals at the World Wrestling Championship. Punia has won 17 medals so far. However, he is yet to finish on the podium at the Olympics.&nbsp;,<b>World Championships</b>,Silver medal – second place	2018 Budapest	65 kg,Bronze medal – third place	2013 Budapest	60 kg,Bronze medal – third place	2019 Nur-Sultan	65 kg,<b>Asian Games</b>,Gold medal – first place	2018 Jakarta	65 kg,Silver medal – second place	2014 Incheon	61 kg,Commonwealth Games,Gold medal – first place	2018 Gold Coast	65 kg,Silver medal – second place	2014 Glasgow	61 kg,<b>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://opoyi.com/tokyo-olympics-wrestler-seema-bisla-loses-to-tunisias-sarra-hamdi-in-the-opening-round-of-50kg-class?utm_source=copy-share&amp;utm_medium=web&amp;utm_campaign=none">Wrestler Seema Bisla crashes out of Tokyo Olympics</a></b>,<b>Asian Championships</b>,Gold medal – first place	2017 New Delhi	65 kg,Gold medal – first place	2019 Xi'an	65 kg,Silver medal – second place	2021 Almaty	65 kg,Silver medal – second place	2020 New Delhi	65 kg,Silver medal – second place	2014 Astana	61 kg,Bronze medal – third place	2013 New Delhi	60 kg,Bronze medal – third place	2018 Bishkek	65 kg,<b>World U23 Championships</b>,Silver medal – second place	2017 Bydgoszcz	65kg,Commonwealth Championship,Gold medal – first place	2017 Brakpan	65 kg,Gold medal – first place	2016 Singapore[1]	65 kg,Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games,Gold medal – first place	2017 Ashgabat	70 kg

{\"time\":1628229422723,\"strCount\":2508,\"blocks\":[{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Indian wrestler&nbsp;<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/BajrangPunia/\\\">Bajrang Punia</a>&nbsp;defeated Iran's&nbsp;Morteza Ghiasi Cheka to <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/tokyo-olympics-indian-wrestler-bajrang-punia-wins-advances-to-next-round?utm_source=copy-share&amp;utm_medium=web&amp;utm_campaign=none\\\">reach the semifinal of the men's 65kg freestyle</a> at the&nbsp;<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/tokyoolympics/\\\">2020 Tokyo Olympics</a>.&nbsp;He will face Haji Aliyev of Azerbaijan.&nbsp;Aliev is a three-time world champion and a bronze medal winner from the Rio Games.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"In the 1/8 final (pre-quarters), the Indian grappler defeated&nbsp;Kyrgyzstan's Ernazar Akmataliev 3-1.&nbsp;\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"<b>Also read:<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/proud-fans-as-india-womens-hockey-teams-olympics-fairytale-run-ends?utm_source=copy-share&amp;utm_medium=web&amp;utm_campaign=none\\\">&nbsp;Proud: Fans as India women's hockey team's Olympics fairytale run ends</a></b>\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Hailing from Haryana, Punia, 27, is currently ranked No 1 in the 65 kg weight category. He is the only Indian wrestler to have won three medals at the World Wrestling Championship. Punia has won 17 medals so far. However, he is yet to finish on the podium at the Olympics.&nbsp;\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"<b>World Championships</b>\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Silver medal – second place\\t2018 Budapest\\t65 kg\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Bronze medal – third place\\t2013 Budapest\\t60 kg\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Bronze medal – third place\\t2019 Nur-Sultan\\t65 kg\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"<b>Asian Games</b>\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Gold medal – first place\\t2018 Jakarta\\t65 kg\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Silver medal – second place\\t2014 Incheon\\t61 kg\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Commonwealth Games\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Gold medal – first place\\t2018 Gold Coast\\t65 kg\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Silver medal – second place\\t2014 Glasgow\\t61 kg\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"<b>Also read:&nbsp;<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/tokyo-olympics-wrestler-seema-bisla-loses-to-tunisias-sarra-hamdi-in-the-opening-round-of-50kg-class?utm_source=copy-share&amp;utm_medium=web&amp;utm_campaign=none\\\">Wrestler Seema Bisla crashes out of Tokyo Olympics</a></b>\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"<b>Asian Championships</b>\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Gold medal – first place\\t2017 New Delhi\\t65 kg\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Gold medal – first place\\t2019 Xi'an\\t65 kg\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Silver medal – second place\\t2021 Almaty\\t65 kg\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Silver medal – second place\\t2020 New Delhi\\t65 kg\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Silver medal – second place\\t2014 Astana\\t61 kg\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Bronze medal – third place\\t2013 New Delhi\\t60 kg\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Bronze medal – third place\\t2018 Bishkek\\t65 kg\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"<b>World U23 Championships</b>\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Silver medal – second place\\t2017 Bydgoszcz\\t65kg\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Commonwealth Championship\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Gold medal – first place\\t2017 Brakpan\\t65 kg\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Gold medal – first place\\t2016 Singapore[1]\\t65 kg\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Gold medal – first place\\t2017 Ashgabat\\t70 kg\"}}]}

<ul>
  <li>Bajrang Punia will face Haji Aliyev of Azerbaijan in the semi-finals of the Tokyo Olympics</li>
  <li>Punia is the only Indian wrestler to have won three medals at the World Wrestling Championship</li>
  <li>He is yet to finish on the podium at the Olympics.</li>
</ul>

How many medals has Indian wrestler Bajrang Punia won?

Indian wrestler <a href="https://opoyi.com/topic/BajrangPunia">Bajrang Punia</a> on Friday defeated Iran's&nbsp;Morteza Ghiasi Cheka in the quarterfinal of the men's 65kg freestyle at the <a href="https://opoyi.com/topic/tokyoolympics">2020 Tokyo Olympics</a> to reach the semi-final of the event. He will now face Haji Aliyev of Azerbaijan.&nbsp;Aliev is a three-time world champion and bronze winner from the Rio Games.,After trailing in the first period and briefly in the second period, Bajrang upped the ante and countered his Iranian opponent's moves.,As the second period moved towards the final minute, Ghiasi looked like making a dangerous move when he got hold of Bajrang's right leg and almost pulled off a takedown.,But Bajrang not only wriggled out of that clutch, but he also locked the neck of Ghiasi and moved into a position from where he turned his rival, pushed him on the mat and held him with his immense strength to emerge victorious by fall.,Earlier, he beat Kyrgyzstan's Ernazar Akmataliev and advanced to the quarterfinals.,A day after <a href="https://opoyi.com/topic/RaviKumarDahiya">Ravi Kumar Dahiya</a> gave India its second silver medal at the Summer Games, Bajrang will be hoping to change the colour of the medal and bring home an elusive gold.,A timely take-down move just before the end of the first period put the Indian ahead 3-1 but Akmataliev ran Bajrang close in the second period, getting two push-out points to level the scores.,Since <a href="https://opoyi.com/topic/wrestling">Bajrang had the high scoring move</a>, a two-pointer take down, he was declared the winner on criteria.,It was not the most clean and fluent victories that he is known for, but was just enough for Bajrang, who came into the Games after suffering a minor knee injury during a local Russian tournament.,Earlier, Debutant Indian wrestler <a href="https://opoyi.com/tokyo-olympics-wrestler-seema-bisla-loses-to-tunisias-sarra-hamdi-in-the-opening-round-of-50kg-class">Seema Bisla</a> could not find a way to get out of the defensive trap of Tunisia's Sarra Hamdi and lost her 50kg opening round 1-3.,The 27-year-old could not make her moves as Hamdi applied the body lock to great effect, never allowing Seema to initiate a strong attack.,There hardly any moves in the bout with Hamdi getting two of her three points on push out and one on Seema's passivity.,Seema got on board when she too pushed her rival out after being put on activity clock for a second time.,She now needs the Tunisian to make the final for return to competition through the repechage route.,The Rohtak grappler had not even won a national event till 2017 but went on to secure her berth for the Games by winning the <a href="https://opoyi.com/topic/wrestling">World Olympic Qualifier</a>, held in Sofia in May.

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<ul>
  <li>Bajrang Punia is competing in the 65kg freestyle event</li>
  <li>Bajrang beat Morteza Ghiasi Cheka of Iran to reach the semi-final</li>
  <li>India aims for a second wrestling medal in the form of Bajrang Punia</li>
</ul>

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