Excited for Arjuna, Bajrang postpones travel to US

Excited about receiving the Arjuna award from the President of India, wrestler Bajrang has reworked his travel schedule for the World Championship in the USA and has decided to leave only after personally receiving the coveted honour.

The Indian wrestling team would be leaving for the World Championship in Las Vegas tentatively on August 20 but Bajrang said he will collect his award on August 29 before boarding the flight to <g data-gr-id="20">US</g> for the September 7-12 event. Bajrang, however, insisted that the changed plan will have no bearing on his medal hopes and he would have enough time to acclimatise. 

“The team will be leaving around August 20 of this month for Las Vegas but I would stay back to collect my award. I will be going only after the award ceremony on August 29,” Bajrang, who competes in Men’s 61kg Freestyle category, told PTI. “But I am sure it will not hamper my acclimatisation as my bout in on September 10 and I will have enough time to prepare for it,” he added.

Bajrang and Babita (Female 53kg) are the two grapplers shortlisted for the prestigious award this year.  “It is a big honour and I am feeling at the top of the world. This honour will encourage me to bring more laurels for the country. At the moment, I am motivated to win the gold medal at the upcoming World Championship.“I am targetting nothing less than the yellow metal despite being aware of the fact that it is going to be a very tough competition, where the best in the world would be taking part.”