Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju felicitates Indian wrestlers

Union Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju felicitated India’s wrestling icons who won a medal each at the World Wrestling Championships. Indian wrestlers produced their best-ever performance for the 2019 edition of World Championships, with as many as five medals. While Vinesh Phogat was a picture of perfection as she outplayed some of the biggest names in the discipline, Rahul Aware’s blend of brilliant leg lace moves and controlled aggression ensured that Indian grapplers improved their medal haul at the World Championships. 

The five medals won by the wrestlers were the most by India at a World Championship event. While silver medallist Deepak Punia was honoured by Kiren Rijiju with a cheque of Rs 7 lakh, bronze medallists were handed a cheque of Rs 4 lakh each. 

Rahul Aware won the biggest medal of his career by bagging bronze in the non-Olympic category, Deepak Punia settled for silver after pulling out of the World Championships final due to an injury. Top seed Bajrang Punia ensured his Olympic quota as well as a medal for the country after engaging in a controversial semi-final bout.

India's bronze medal tally was further added by Ravi Kumar Dahiya in the 57kg weight category, while Vinesh Phogat lived up to her vintage self by becoming the only Indian woman grappler to win a medal as she bagged bronze in the 53kg category.