Bajrang Punia Opens 2020 Tokyo Olympics Campaign With Win

India's Bajrang Punia opened his 2020 Tokyo Olympics campaign with a win against Kyrgyzstan's Ernazar Akmataliev in the Men's 65 kg freestyle wrestling event.

Bajrang's opening win puts him the quarter-finals. He is one of India's strongest medal hopes. Up next for the Indian ace is a bout with Iran's Morteza Ghiasi.

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An attack minded Bajrang had his opponent taking a passive approach in the beginning of the first round, which eventually gave the Indian a point to start off with.

With the momentum going his way, Bajrang ended the first round at 3-1, looking the better of the two in the contest.

In the second round however, Akmataliev clawed back into the bout even as Bajrang caught him in a lock. The Indian had to defend his lead doggedly as Akmataliev picked up a couple of more points on the basis of two push outs.

Bajrang however did not allow his opponent to get a hold of the contest and was eventually declared winner by points.

Bajrang, the second seed in the draw opened his campaign at the Tokyo Games with a win.

Before the campaign had started, there were injury concerns regarding Bajrang’s right knee but the ace wrestler has, fortunately for Indian fans, recovered in time for the showpiece Games.

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