Bajrang Punia is a famous Indian wrestler known for his courage and success in wrestling. On September 15, 2025, he continues to inspire many young sports lovers in India with his dedication and achievements. He was born on February 26, 1994, in a small village called Khudan in Jhajjar district of Haryana, India. From very small beginnings, Bajrang has become one of the best wrestlers not only in India but also in the world.
Early Life And Family
Bajrang Punia was born into a family where sports, especially wrestling, were a part of life. His father, Balwan Singh Punia, was a wrestler himself. Bajrang started wrestling when he was only seven years old. His family did not have a lot of money, so sports like cricket or badminton, which need expensive equipment, were difficult for him to play. He chose wrestling because it needed little money and was popular in his village. Little by little, his passion and hard work in wrestling grew bigger. His mother, Kamla Devi, supported him in all his struggles and encouraged him to keep moving forward.
Bajrang Punia Age, Height, Weight, Wiki, Biography, Wife, Family
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Bajrang Punia |
| Date of Birth | February 26, 1994 |
| Place of Birth | Khudan Village, Jhajjar District, Haryana, India |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Profession | Freestyle Wrestler, Politician |
| Wrestling Category | 65 kg (Men's Freestyle) |
| Career Span | 2013 – Present |
| Early Life | Born in rural Haryana, started wrestling at age 7 under his father's encouragement; trained at local akhadas and later at Chattarsal Stadium; family faced financial constraints |
| Major Achievements | - First Indian wrestler to be ranked World No. 1 in any category |
| - Only Indian to win four medals at the World Wrestling Championships (2013, 2018, 2019, 2022) | |
| - Bronze medalist at Tokyo 2020 Olympics (65 kg category) | |
| - Gold medals at Commonwealth Games (2018, 2022) | |
| - Gold medal at Asian Games 2018 | |
| Awards | Arjuna Award (2015), Padma Shri (2019), Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award (2019) |
| Political Career | Joined Indian National Congress in 2024; Working President of All India Kisan Congress |
| Family | Father: Balwan Singh (former wrestler), Wife: Sangeeta Phogat (wrestler) |
| Additional Info | Overcame serious knee injury to win Olympic bronze; training mentor includes Yogeshwar Dutt |
Wrestling Journey
Bajrang’s first training started in a local wrestling arena called an 'akhada'. This was a mud wrestling place near his home where many children from the village learned wrestling. He started training seriously when he was seven years old. Sometimes he skipped school just to practice more wrestling. His father understood this and allowed him to follow his passion. Bajrang was very focused and always wanted to become a great wrestler.
When Bajrang was 14, he went to train at the famous Chhatrasal Stadium in Delhi. This stadium is known for producing many famous Indian wrestlers. At this stage, he met Yogeshwar Dutt, an Olympic medalist, who became his teacher and training partner. Yogeshwar helped Bajrang improve his skills and become stronger step by step.
Rise to Success
Bajrang Punia’s hard work started to show results in national competitions. He won many medals and gained the attention of sports officials. Bajrang represented India in many important competitions like the Commonwealth Games, Asian Games, World Wrestling Championships, and the Olympics.
In 2018, Bajrang won the gold medal in the Asian Games held in Indonesia in the men’s freestyle 65 kg category. The same year, he also won gold at the Commonwealth Games. These victories made him very popular in India as a top wrestler. Bajrang is well known for his speed, strength, and smart techniques inside the wrestling ring.
He continued to win medals at the World Wrestling Championships, becoming the first Indian wrestler to win four medals in this prestigious event. Bajrang won medals in the years 2013, 2018, 2019, and 2022. His success made history and brought pride to the country.
Olympic Glory
Bajrang Punia’s biggest achievement came at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021. Despite suffering a knee injury, Bajrang showed great courage and determination. He fought hard and won the bronze medal in the 65 kg freestyle wrestling category. This was a proud moment for India as Bajrang became one of the few Indian wrestlers to win an Olympic medal.
His bronze win was special because Bajrang defeated his opponent by a wide margin of 8-0. This showed how powerful and skilled he is even when facing tough times. The Olympic medal made Bajrang a household name and a role model for every young athlete in the country.
Awards And Honors
For his excellent achievements, Bajrang Punia has received many awards. Some of the important awards are the Arjuna Award, which is given to outstanding Indian sportspeople. He also received the Padma Shri, one of the country’s highest honors for contributions to sports. In the year 2021, he was honored with the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award, India's highest sporting award, recognizing his hard work and success.
Bajrang is not only a wrestler but also a symbol of hope and determination for many young people in India. His life teaches the value of patience, discipline, and hard work.
Personal Life
Bajrang Punia is married to Sangeeta Phogat, who herself is a wrestler. They both share a deep love for the sport and inspire each other to achieve more. In 2024, Bajrang also entered politics and joined the Indian National Congress to work for farmers and social causes, showing his commitment to the community beyond sports.
He also worked for Indian Railways as a Gazetted Officer, a respected government position. His life is a great example of balancing sports and other responsibilities.
Conclusion
Bajrang Punia’s story is inspiring and shows that with hard work, no dream is impossible. From a small village in Haryana to winning medals on the world stage, his journey teaches that success comes only to those who are determined and never give up. Bajrang’s achievements bring pride to India and encourage young athletes all over the country to follow their dreams with courage and passion.