Bajrang Punia clinches gold at Ali Aliev tournament

Punia came from behind to defeat local favourite Viktor Rassadin in the final.

Dagestan (Russia): Continuing his winning spree, star Indian wrestler Bajrang Punia pocketed another gold medal at the Ali Aliev invitational tournament, here on Thursday.

• Bajrang, currently the world No. 1 in the 65kg freestyle category, made a stunning comeback in the final affair to defeat local favourite Viktor Rassadin 13-8.
• After the end of the first period, the 25-year-old Indian trailed 3-7 but took an 8-7 lead in the second affair before a failed challenge from the Russian extended Bajrang's lead to 13-7. Rassadin though received one point for a pushout to make it 8-13, but it was too late for him.

Earlier on April 23, Bajrang had won a gold in the same category, beating Kazakhstan's Sayatbek Okassov 12-7 in the final of the Asian Wrestling Championships in China.

Bajrang will now head to the United States to participate in the 'Beat the Streets' competition at the Madison Square Garden, New York, on May 6.