India wrestler Bajrang Punia has dedicated his silver medal at the world championships to the victims of the Amritsar train accident, which tragically claimed 61 lives and left several others injured. Asian Games gold medallist Punia bagged the silver medal in the 65kg freestyle category after losing the final against Takuto Otoguro of Japan.
The 24-year-old took to social media site to share his emotions after winning the silver at the prestigious tournament. “I want to dedicate this silver medal at World Wrestling Championships to the people died in the tragic Amritsar train accident. My deep condolences to their families,” tweeted Punia on Tuesday.
61 people were killed while another 72 were injured after a train slaughtered several revelers during the Dussehra celebrations in Amritsar. Many of those spectators, while watching the Ravan effigy, had strayed onto the railway tracks when the train ran over them.
Punia had earlier claimed the bronze in 2013 but upgraded his medal to silver after going down 9-16 against the Japanese in the final. 19-year-old Otoguro is now the youngest World Champion for his country, overtaking the previous record of Yuji Takada. Takada was 20 when he clinched the gold at the 1974 World Wrestling Championship.
Meanwhile, Punia is also the fourth Indian to reach the World Championship final after Sushil Kumar, Amit Dahiya and Bishambar Singh. All of them reached the final in the freestyle category.
Also Read: Isle of Man Chess: Vishwanathan Anand struggles for a draw against Robert Hess
Image Source: Hindustan Times