India at Tokyo Olympics LIVE: Bajrang Punia bags bronze, Vijender Singh, Abhinav Bindra laud Indian wrestler- Bajrang Punia bagged India’s sixth medal at the Tokyo Olympics as the Indian wrestler clinched a resounding win in his bronze medal match on Saturday. The World No.2, who was fighting with a knee injury, saw the better of Kazakhstanโs Daulet Niyazbekov to clinch the final podium spot. Punia thus became the fifth Indian male wrestler to clinch an Olympic medal, with KD Jadhav, Sushil Kumar (twice), Yogeshwar Dutt and Ravi Kumar Dahiya have done so previously.
Soon after Bajrang Punia’s medal was confirmed, a host of revered personalities congratulated the Indian wrestler on his achievement. 2008 Beijing Olympic medallists Abhinav Bindra and Vijender Singh were amongst the first to send in their regards, along with 2016 Olympics medallist Sakshi Malik.
Many Congratulations @BajrangPunia for winning the Bronze medal at #Tokyo2020. Great grit shown ! Brilliantly fought!
โ Abhinav A. Bindra OLY (@Abhinav_Bindra) August 7, 2021
Congratulations @BajrangPunia finally you made it proud of you ๐๐ฝ๐ฎ๐ณ
โ Vijender Singh (@boxervijender) August 7, 2021
Congratulations @BajrangPunia for winning the Bronze medal at #Tokyo2020 . ๐๐ป๐ฎ๐ณ pic.twitter.com/y5QRDM6mXs
โ Sakshi Malik (@SakshiMalik) August 7, 2021
The President of India tweeted, “A special moment for Indian wrestling! Congratulations to Bajrang Punia for winning the Bronze at #Tokyo2020. You have distinguished yourself as an outstanding wrestler with untiring efforts, consistency and tenacity over the years. Every Indian shares the joy of your success!”
A special moment for Indian wrestling!
Congratulations to Bajrang Punia for winning the Bronze at #Tokyo2020. You have distinguished yourself as an outstanding wrestler with untiring efforts, consistency and tenacity over the years. Every Indian shares the joy of your success!โ President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) August 7, 2021
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also lavished praise on Punia saying that the Indian wrestler fought spectacularly. The Indian PM further said, “Congratulations to you for your accomplishment, which makes every Indian proud and happy.”
Delightful news from #Tokyo2020! Spectacularly fought @BajrangPunia. Congratulations to you for your accomplishment, which makes every Indian proud and happy.
โ Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 7, 2021
Kiren Rijiju, the Minister of Law and Justice of India. Rijiju congratulated Bajrang for his efforts and wrote that the nation was proud of his efforts.
India strikes 6th Olympic medal at #Tokyo2020 !
Congratulations to our star wrestler @BajrangPunia bhai on winning Olympic Bronze Medal! We are so proud of you! #Cheer4India ๐ฎ๐ณ pic.twitter.com/BYkjeQJY3Uโ Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) August 7, 2021
Anurag Thakur, Minister of Sports, Youth Affairs, also congratulated Bajrang Punia and shared a snippet on how he cheered for the wrestler during his bronze medal bout. Thakur tweeted, “India is thrilled beyond words ! I am so proud of you, loved watching your dominating performance and spectacular finish.”
BRONZE ๐ฅ for BAJRANG !!!
YOU DID IT !India ๐ฎ๐ณ is thrilled beyond words !
I am so proud of you, loved watching your dominating performance and spectacular finish ! #Tokyo2020 @BajrangPunia pic.twitter.com/M1e1pkKQBn
โ Anurag Thakur (@ianuragthakur) August 7, 2021
Dinesh Karthik also took time out to praise Bajrang Punia, calling his performance in the bronze medal match “pure domination”. Former Indian cricketers VVS Laxman and Anil Kumble also chipped in with their regards.
Congratulations @BajrangPunia on winning the bronze๐ฅ
That was pure domination ๐#Tokyo2020 pic.twitter.com/mpgGpY77thโ DK (@DineshKarthik) August 7, 2021
Super Duper ….And @bajrangpunia does India proud. Absolutely brilliant from #BajrangPunia to win 8-0 and win the #Bronze match. pic.twitter.com/FAb5JB9CRQ
โ VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) August 7, 2021
Congratulations #BajrangPunia #Bronze #Olympics
โ Anil Kumble (@anilkumble1074) August 7, 2021