Bajrang Punia Will Become The First Indian Wrestler To Fight In The Iconic Madison Square Garden in New York

Bajrang Punia will become the first fighter in India to fight in the iconic Madison Square Garden in New York. The 25-year-old, who won the gold medal in the 65kg category in the Asian Wrestling Championship under way earlier this week, is the first Indian wrestler to be invited by the US governing body. Bajrang Punia will participate in the night of the fight "Grapple at the Garden - Beat the Streets", scheduled for May 6. He is currently the No. 1 in the world in the weight category of 65 kg.

Bajrang Punia will face Yianni Diakomahlis, two-time US champion. In the event "Grapple at the Garden - Beat the Streets", which has become an important showcase of the international struggle since 2010.

"If you see it from a player's perspective, then it's quite an experience to fight at Madison Square Garden, it's a great exhibition, but there's happiness and fear," Bajrang Punia told AFP.

"Happiness because I am the first guest Indian, I fear because of my country's expectations of whether I can find it or not," said Bajrang Punia, who hails from the Jhajjar district of Haryana state in northern India.

Bajrang Punia has eight gold medals from his nine previous international tournaments, including the Commonwealth and the Asian Games last year.

Bajrang Punia's mentor, Yogeshwar Dutt, who won the 60kg bronze at the 2012 London Olympics, praised his achievement.

"He has been winning all this time and will triumph at Madison Square Garden," Yogeshwar Dutt told AFP.

"Win finals wherever you go, I just tell you to keep working hard."

American wrestler Kyle Snyder, who won the 97 kg title at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio, and Jordan Burroughs, gold winner of the London 2012 Olympic Games, are the other main attractions of the event.

By: Preeti Narula

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