Bajrang loses in final; Otoguro is youngest World champ from Japan

TIL Desk Sports/ Bajrang Punia’s bid to become only the second Indian to win a gold medal at the World Championship fell flat, as a tactically superior Takuto Otoguro stunned the Indian in the 65kg final, in Budapest, on Monday.

Only the fourth Indian ever to make it to the World Championship gold medal match, the 24-year-old Bajrang was rattled by the 19-year old Otoguro, who consistently attacked the left leg of Indian and emerged a comfortable 16-9 winner. Otoguru became Japan’s youngest World Champion at the age of 19.

Legendary Yuji Takada, who won gold at 1976 Montreal Olympic Games, had become youngest World champion from Japan at the age of 20 in 1974.

“It was so near and yet so far. Having reached the final, I expected to win gold but I will have to be satisfied with a silver medal. I am happy to have bettered my bronze medal effort, achieved five years ago at the same venue,” said Bajrang, who is now only Indian with two medals from the World Championship.