Bajrang Punia wins India’s first gold medal at Asian Games 2018

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Jakarta: Bajrang Punia claimed India’s first gold medal on the first day of the Asian Games 2018. He won the medal by defeating Japan’s Daichi Takatani 11-8 in the final of Men’s Freestyle 65 kg category.

He had entered the final after beating Batmagnai Batchuluun of Mongolia by 10-0 in the semifinals on technical superiority.

Earlier, the 24-year-old Indian had stormed into the semi-final taking a 12-2 lead and winning by technical superiority over Abdulqosim Fayziev of Tajikstan in the 65 kg freestyle quarter-final.

In Punia’s campaign opener, he had dominated in the second and third round to lead Sirojiddin Khasanov of Uzbekistan 13-3 and win by technical superiority.

Notably, Punia had won three consecutive gold medals – Commonwealth Games (Gold Coast), Tbilisi Grand Prix (Georgia) and Yasar Dogu International (Istanbul) – ahead of the Asian Games.

Meanwhile, congratulations messages poured-in for the young athlete from all quarters. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also took to his twitter handle and congratulated Punia for his achievement.

With Bajrang’s gold the medal number of India went to two. Apurvi Chandela and Ravi Kumar had won the first medal for India. They had won the bronze medal in the 10m Air Rifle Mixed Team event earlier today.

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