Bajrang Punia’s story is one of grit, glory, and now, a stark setback. Born in 1994 in Haryana’s wrestling nursery of Jhajjar, he started wrestling young, moving to Chhatrasal Stadium by 2008. Debuting internationally in 2013, the 65kg freestyle ace rewrote records.
Unmatched in Indian history, Punia secured four medals at World Wrestling Championships. Olympic bronze in Tokyo, golds at Asian Games and Commonwealth Games (2018, 2022), silvers and bronzes across continents. Government accolades included Arjuna Award (2015), Padma Shri, and Khel Ratna (2019).
At 32, his career hit a wall. NADA banned him for four years—April 23, 2024, to April 22, 2028—for dodging a dope test sample. Not officially retired, Punia confronts a pivotal moment. Indian wrestling, boosted immensely by his feats, grapples with this blow. As debates rage on anti-doping protocols, Punia’s saga reminds us of the fine line athletes tread between triumph and trial.