Bajrang Punia to be 1st Indian to grapple at New York

Bajrang was invited by the USA Wrestling, the national governing body for the sport in the US, to participate in the 'Grapple at the Garden-Beat the Streets', scheduled on May 6.

New York: Indian wrestler Bajrang Punia is all set to be the first Indian to participate in the 'Grapple at the Garden-Beat the Streets' fight night at the Madison Square Gardens, which witnessed two legendary fights between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier in 1971.

Bajrang was invited by the USA Wrestling, the national governing body for the sport in the US, to participate in the event, scheduled on May 6. He will take on two-time US national champion Yianni Diakomihalis in the 65kg category.

The Asian Games and Commonwealth Games gold medallist wrestler is the world No. 1 in the 65kg weight category. While Daikomihalis is currently enjoying 47-match unbeaten streak, Bajrang too has had a golden run in 2018 and 2019. The Indian bagged eight gold medals in his last nine international tournaments, including first-place finishes at the 2018 Commonwealth Games, 2018 Asiad and 2019 Asian Championships.

Bajrang Punia celebrates after his gold medal clinch at Commonwealth Games 2018.

"Madison Square Garden is one of the biggest and most famous arenas of the world and I am very excited. This exposure will help me become a better wrestler," Bajrang said. In 2014, PM Narendra Modi addressed the Indian diaspora from the venue. 'Can't believe a wrestler from small village got this stage'Bajrang said fighting at the Madison Square Garden arena will be a totally new experience for him.

"I still can't believe that a wrestler from a small village in Haryana has got the opportunity to fight on such a big stage. This will be a different experience altogether. I am happy and nervous at the same time," the 25-year-old said.

As far as Indian sportspersons are concerned, boxer Vikas Krishan recently competed at the Madison Square Garden and won his professional bout against American Noah Kidd.