Wrestler Bajrang Punia parts ways with coach on WFI’s insistence | More sports News – Times of India
NEW DELHI: Indian wrestling’s famous ‘father-son’ like partnership of three years between coach Emzarios Shako Bentinidis of Georgia and Tokyo Olympics bronze medallist (65kg) Bajrang Punia has come to an end.
Bajrang has agreed to the Wrestling Federation of India’s (WFI) suggestion to work with a new foreign coach for the next Olympic cycle, leading up to the Paris 2024, TOI has learnt.
The federation has been in advance talks with a Ukrainian coach for Bajrang and the announcement can be made as early as next week, after the conclusion of the senior Nationals in Gonda. WFI has also insisted on hiring a new personal coach for Tokyo Olympics silver medallist (57kg) Ravi Dahiya. The two-time Asian champion Dahiya was coached by Russian Kamal Malikov for Tokyo.
The decision to appoint new foreign coaches has been taken considering the busy international calendar next year with the Birmingham CWG and Hangzhou Asian Games and World Championships and then, of course, the 2024 Paris Olympics.
The contracts of Shako and Malikov were until the Tokyo Olympics. Both had flown back to their respective countries after the Tokyo Games and have been there since then waiting to hear from the federation. Their salaries were paid by the WFI’s principal sponsor Tata Motors.
WFI, of late, wasn’t particularly impressed by the coaching standards of Shako after Bajrang returned from Tokyo with a bronze. Also, Shako’s inability to improve Bajrang’s leg defence over the years further weakened his case. The Georgian was with Bajrang since the start of 2018. One of the high points of Shako’s tenure was Bajrang winning the gold in Jakarta Asiad.
Malikov was originally brought in as the sparring partner and fitness expert for double Olympic medallist Sushil Kumar. But he later took charge of Ravi as his personal coach in April this year for the Tokyo Games. It’s been learnt that the wrestler wants to continue with Malikov but the federation has been insisting for a new foreign coach for him as well.
Bajrang has agreed to the Wrestling Federation of India’s (WFI) suggestion to work with a new foreign coach for the next Olympic cycle, leading up to the Paris 2024, TOI has learnt.
The federation has been in advance talks with a Ukrainian coach for Bajrang and the announcement can be made as early as next week, after the conclusion of the senior Nationals in Gonda. WFI has also insisted on hiring a new personal coach for Tokyo Olympics silver medallist (57kg) Ravi Dahiya. The two-time Asian champion Dahiya was coached by Russian Kamal Malikov for Tokyo.
The decision to appoint new foreign coaches has been taken considering the busy international calendar next year with the Birmingham CWG and Hangzhou Asian Games and World Championships and then, of course, the 2024 Paris Olympics.
The contracts of Shako and Malikov were until the Tokyo Olympics. Both had flown back to their respective countries after the Tokyo Games and have been there since then waiting to hear from the federation. Their salaries were paid by the WFI’s principal sponsor Tata Motors.
WFI, of late, wasn’t particularly impressed by the coaching standards of Shako after Bajrang returned from Tokyo with a bronze. Also, Shako’s inability to improve Bajrang’s leg defence over the years further weakened his case. The Georgian was with Bajrang since the start of 2018. One of the high points of Shako’s tenure was Bajrang winning the gold in Jakarta Asiad.
Malikov was originally brought in as the sparring partner and fitness expert for double Olympic medallist Sushil Kumar. But he later took charge of Ravi as his personal coach in April this year for the Tokyo Games. It’s been learnt that the wrestler wants to continue with Malikov but the federation has been insisting for a new foreign coach for him as well.
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