Bajrang Punia Set to Become First Indian Wrestler at New York Fight Night

Indian wrestler Bajrang Punia is all set to take on two-time US champion Yianni Diakomihalis in the 65kg category at New York's iconic Madison Square Garden.

Indian wrestling ace Bajrang Punia is all set to walk at the iconic stadium of the Madison Square Garden in New York, US. Bajrang is the first Indian to be invited by the USA Wrestling, the national governing frame for the sport in the country, to participate in the “Grapple at the Garden – Beat the Streets” combat evening, scheduled on May 6, TOI reported.

Bajrang will be up against the two-time US champion Yianni Diakomihalis in the 65kg category. Earlier, the wrestler bagged gold in the Asian Championships and currently occupies the summit position in his weight category.

The 25-year-old has been in a commendable run of form and has clinched eight gold medals in nine world tournaments and also won the first place in both Commonwealth Games 2018 and the Asian Games 2018. However, the match is not going to easy as his opponent is on a 47-match undefeated streak.

Madison Square Garden has hosted some of the biggest sporting extravaganzas in the US and is a great matter of pride for sportspersons to make their appearance at the prestigious venue. Speaking to TOI, Punia expressed his excitement: “Madison Square Garden is one of the biggest and most famous arenas of the world and I am very excited. This exposure will help me become a better wrestler.” The arena was also used as a platform to by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to address the Indian diaspora in 2014.