ANI
25 Jun 2022, 23:55 GMT+10
New Delhi [India], June 25 (ANI): Tokyo Olympics bronze medallist Bajrang Punia is looking forward to regaining his form as he heads to the United States for a 35-day training camp ahead of the Commonwealth Games and the World Championship.
At a media interaction facilitated by the Sports Authority of India on Saturday, Bajrang said he would spar with some of the best wrestlers at Michigan University. "The players who train there come in World's top 10. They train there but represent different countries. I went before Tokyo Olympics also and I'm returning there with more focus and determination to spar with the best. I want to get back to being the Bajrang you saw in 2018-2019," he said.
Bajrang suffered an injury post the Olympics but said he is at his best fitness and carries no niggles. "I have been training at the SAI National Centre of Excellence in Sonipat. My fitness levels are back owing to the support I recieved from SAI and the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS). I now want to perform. I want to give my best whoever is the opponent. The more tournaments I play, the more I get a chance to improve myself," he said.
Shedding light on the US trip ahead of the big tournaments coming up, Bajrang said Indians train overseas not because there is no facility in India. "The infrastructure in India is world-class and has evolved over the years. We get everything from physios to trainers to multiple types of equipment. I am going to the US to spar with world-class partners there. Also, before any big tournament, no athlete wants distractions. Here, I keep on getting invitations for birthdays, marriages and so on," he said.
Looking ahead, Bajrang said he wants to win gold for India in the next Olympic Games in Paris. "I want to better myself in training. Winning and losing are a part of life. My schedule hasn't changed after Tokyo Olympics and my techniques also remain the same. I am focused and have worked on my fitness post-Tokyo. I want to bring back my own self!" he said.
The Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports' TOPS would fund Bajrang's travel, boarding, and daily costs for the 35-day training camp in Michigan, from June 25 to July 30 and would also cover the expenses for his personal coach and physiotherapist. (ANI)
Get a daily dose of Tennis Times news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Tennis Times.
More InformationNew Delhi [India], August 19 (ANI): Former New Zealand cricketer Scott Styris on Friday extended his support to the two-month ...
Fans are concerned about a possible bid by Apollo Global ManagementA Manchester United supporters group named 'Boycott Movement Against the ...
New Delhi [India], August 19 (ANI): In keeping with its athlete-first approach, the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports has ...
Deshaun Watson's NFL suspension has been nearly doubled following appealCleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson will be suspended for the first ...
The Los Angeles Dodgers, who have the best record in the major leagues, will open a six-game homestand on Friday ...
For the second time in as many nights, the San Diego Padres and visiting Washington Nationals will meet Friday night ...
New Delhi [India], August 19 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said that over 10 crore rural households of ...
Najiba*, a mother, counsellor, and former university lecturer, helps women heal from trauma in Afghanistan. Despite threats and restrictions on ...
WASHINGTON - The White House faces constant pressure from more than 60 American families whose relatives are held hostage overseas, ...
New York [US], August 19 (ANI): UN chief Antonio Guterres on Friday expressed his deep concern over a series of ...
cairo - Algeria's civil protection authority said Thursday that the death toll from forest fires raging in at least 26 ...
Your education has a huge effect on your life chances. As well as being likely to lead to better wages, ...