Won't ask for exemption from Worlds trials: Bajrang

His dominance is undisputed in the 65kg at the global level but Bajrang Punia, focussed on shoring up his leg defence, would not ask for an exemption from the World Championship trials next month.

The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) is expected to organise the trials for the Worlds in the last week of July.

In the last 10 international tournaments, Bajrang has lost just one bout -- the World Championship final (2018) -- where Japan's Takuto Otoguro bothered him with leg attacks throughout.

The only other bout (invitational) Bajrang lost was at the iconic Madison Square, to the local grappler Yianni Diakomihalis.

The world number one in 65kg, Bajrang is aiming to seal an Olympic berth with a medal at the World Championship, scheduled to be held in Kazakhstan in September.

Asked how he has not been able to master the leg defence as yet, the 25-year-old said it's due to 'old habits.'
"A few good wrestlers are emerging in the 65kg category. The guy from Maharashtra, who is from the Army, is good. Rajneesh is also good, though he has moved up to 70kg. In wrestling what matters is the performance on the day of competition or trials. Anybody can win on his day."
Why he opted to train in Istanbul this time as he trained in Georgia in the recent past?
"It's a good camp organised by the Turkey Federation. The quality of sparring partners is better there, since a lot of good wrestlers from Armenia, Georgia, Belarus, Turkey gather there."
Is he hoping to get it this time?