Haryana: The Tokyo Olympics that was supposed to held this year, has been postponed to 2021. India’s star wrestler Bajrang Punia, who won a bronze at the World Championship 2019 in the 65 kg category is a huge medal prospect in Tokyo next year, has taken up boxing to boost his wrestling skills.
Jitender Kinha, the silver medalist at the 2020 Asian Wrestling Championship in 74 kg category is giving him company. They are currently training at the Inspire Institute of Sports (IIS), Karnataka under coach Ronald Simms.
“What we are trying to achieve through these boxing sessions is to improve our ability to move quickly with ease, better our hand-eye coordination, strengthen our mental agility and alertness. So far, it has been great to practice with the coach,” Bajrang said.
“In wrestling, movement plays a crucial role and these boxing lessons will help us a great deal. It is making us push past our limits,” Jitender said, “The IIS is located in a hilly area. So we go for long runs and sprints. The challenge is to keep ourselves in top shape so that whenever any competition takes place, we will be ready to put our best foot forward.”
