Bajrang says ‘I am fine’ after injuring knee ahead of Tokyo Olympics

Bajrang Punia injured his right knee on Friday evening while competing in the semifinals of the Russian tournament — Ali Aliyev, against Abulmazhid Kudiev, the Under-23 European silver medallist.

While Bajrang Punia did not elaborate on his injury, sources close to the elite wrestler said that it is a good sign that he could walk without help but it will take at least two days to assess him properly.

Three-time Worlds medallist and one of India's strongest medal contenders in the Tokyo Olympics, wrestler Bajrang Punia has assured his fans that there is nothing to worry about the injury he picked up during the Ali Aliyev memorial wrestling tournament in Russia.

Second seed Bajrang, who has been training in Russia in the run-up to the Olympics, won three rounds, including the one against Worlds medallist Daulet Niyazbekov of Kazakhstan, to reach the 65kg semifinals on Friday.

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The Indian was trailing 4-0 when he injured his right knee in the semifinal bout against Adbulmazhid Kudiev of Russia and withdrew from the contest after being attended to by the mat-side doctor.

“Thanks for your affection and sympathy. Very soon, you will see me back on the mat, everything is alright, and there is nothing to worry about,” Bajrang tweeted on Saturday.

Bajrang’s coach Shako Bentinidis was relieved. “Thank God! There are no problems. He walks, and it does not hurt,” Bentinidis told Sportstar .

A Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) official said Bajrang should be fit sooner than later. “What we gather is that it is not a major injury. He should get well in a few days,” said the official.