India’s wrestler Bajrang Punia has won a gold medal at the Dan Kolov-Nikola Petrov tournament in Ruse, Bulgaria on Sunday, 3 March and dedicated its victory to Indian Air Force (IAF) Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman.
Punia, a World Championship silver medallist, overpowered Jordan Oliver of USA 12-3 in the 65kg freestyle final to begin the season on a resounding note in the Bulgarian city.
“I want to dedicate my gold to Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman. He has inspired me. I want to meet him one day and also shake hands with him,” Punia tweeted after his victory.
Punia has won the top prize at the Commonwealth Games and the Asian Games last year, has won four gold medals and one silver in the last five tournaments.
This is Punia’s 10th medal in an international tournaments since the 2017 World Championships in Paris.
