Wrestler Bajrang Punia, Paralympian Amit Saroha receive financial assistance for training

Indian wrestler and Tokyo Olympics bronze medalist Bajrang Punia has been granted a sum of ₹6.16 lakh as financial assistance towards the special training camp he took part in, in Iran. Para athlete Amit Saroha was also granted ₹2.45 lakh towards expenses for his personal physiotherapist.

The financial assistance to both athletes was approved by the Mission Olympic Cell (MOC) of the Sports Ministry.

Bajrang Punia, along with his coach Sujeet Mann, trained extensively in Iran for 18 days for the upcoming Senior Asian Wrestling Championship. The wrestler will compete in the selection trials on March 24 at the KD Jadhav Wrestling Indoor Stadium.

Bajrang Punia motivated to win Olympic gold

Bajrang, who competes in the 65 kg category, will be seen in action in the Senior Freestyle and Greco Roman events of the Senior Asian Wrestling Championships to be held in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, from April 19 to 24.

Read: SAI athletes bring laurels in various international tournaments

The ace wrestler also has his eyes set on the Commonwealth Games this August and the Asian Games this September. Bajrang said:

“Whatever tournament comes until Paris, I’m going to give my best performance and my aim is to change the color of my medal in Paris 2024."

Similarly, the Sports Authority of India Training Center in Lucknow will conduct selection trials for the Indian senior women's wrestling team on March 25. The trials will determine the athletes who will represent the Indian contingent at the Senior Asian Wrestling Championships.

Meanwhile, para athlete (Club Throw F51) Amit Saroha's financial assistance for his personal physiotherapist Ankit Rahodia will run from March 2022 to the Para Asian Games 2022.

Amit is an Arjuna Award winner. Both Bajrang and Amit are a part of the Target Olympic Podium Scheme's Core team.