Bajrang Punia now world number 1 in 65-kg wrestling

New Delhi: Star wrestler Bajrang Punia on Saturday touched a new high in his career by achieving the number one rank in the world in the 65kg category. The 24-year-old Bajrang, who has won five medals this season, including CWG and Asian Games gold and a silver at the World Championship, was placed atop the ranking table with 96 points in the UWW list. It has turned out to be a remarkable season for Bajrang, who was also the only Indian grappler to be given a seeding at the Budapest World Championship.

"Every athlete nurtures the dream to be world number one in his career. But If I had become number one with a World Championship gold, it would have been better," said Bajrang. "But I am working hard and will try to retain this world number rank with a World Championship gold next year," he added.