After Tokyo Olympics, a knee injury created self-doubt, but now I am the same Bajrang of 2018 and ’19, says Bajrang Punia. More sports news – Times of India

New Delhi: Star Indian wrestler Bajrang Punia revealed on Saturday he was suffering from insecurity following a career-threatening knee injury in June last year and later settled for a consolation bronze at the Tokyo Olympics, informing him that he had overcome his self-doubt. Took a series of medical tests and doctor’s consultations. in the race for the next Commonwealth Games Next month in Birmingham.
“I felt my body slow down, my attacking moves lacked zing during competitive bouts, I couldn’t run fast on the mat. Even after the Tokyo Olympics, I couldn’t recover from my injury concerns For the next 8-9 months my mind would only think about the knee injury that I had suffered. There was always the fear of getting injured again, which affected my sport,” Bajrang, current Commonwealth and Asian The champion of the Games, said in a conversation with the media.
“It restricted my movement during bouts as I would avoid going all-out against an opponent. Then, last month, I went in for some medical tests to clear my self-doubt. Testing my were related to speed, stamina, flexibility and strength. Some were done at the Sports Authority of India (SAI) Sonepat center while others were conducted at a private university. This helped me a lot, as I had become the same Bajrang whose People used to praise during 2018 and ’19 when there were no worries about injury.”

Bajrang will travel to the US for a 35-day training camp at the University of Michigan ahead of the Commonwealth Games. The training session will be part of the wrestler’s preparations for the Commonwealth Games (28 July to 8 August) and the World Championships (10-18 September) in Belgrade, the capital of Serbia.
“I will find good sparring partners there, as I am training with the current world No. 1 in the 70kg category and another in the 65kg category. It will help me get away from the troubles I usually face while practicing in India, Commonwealth and Will also help to focus fully on our training for the world. From time to time, there are birthday parties, weddings, congratulations or regular friend and family functions and, we, as athletes, I have to reluctantly participate in them so that people don’t feel bad. It’s time to fully focus on my training and prepare for the big tournament ahead.”

Bajrang, who suffered injuries to both his knees – on his right side during the semi-finals of the Ali Aliyev Invitational tournament in Moscow in June last year and later in his left knee during a training session at Sai Sonipat in late January – had Told he was fully fit with no latest injury concerns.
“I am ready for the competition. I fit perfectly. After the medical test, I can see positive changes in my body language and the way I wrestle on the mat. In the last 15-20 days of training, I can again feel the same energy and vigor that I experienced during 2018 and ’19. I can assure you that my fans will see the same Bajrang of 2018 and ’19. I have worked on both my leg defense and attack.