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Bajrang Punia Biography: Age, Career, Family and More

F4U Editorial Desk • Updated September 4, 2026 • 6 min read

Quick Info

Date of birth26 February 1994

Age31 Years

BirthplaceKhudan, Jhajjar, Haryana, India

ProfessionWrestler

NationalityIndian

Marital statusMarried

SpouseSangeeta Punia

FamilyFather - Balvan Singh Punia; Mother - Om Pyari Punia; Brother - Harendra Punia

Bajrang Punia Biography

Bajrang Punia is an Indian freestyle wrestler from Khudan, Jhajjar, Haryana. A multiple international medallist and recipient of India's top sporting and国家

Early life and background

Bajrang Punia was born on 26 February 1994 in Khudan, a village in Jhajjar district of Haryana. He grew up in a family with a wrestling background — his father Balvan Singh Punia and elder brother Harendra had experience in the sport and encouraged him from an early age. Bajrang began practising wrestling around the age of seven and trained at local akharas before moving to formal centres.

His family relocated in 2015 to Sonepat so he could train at the regional centre of the Sports Authority of India (SAI). He also trained at Chhatrasal Stadium earlier in his development and received coaching from the likes of Ramphal Mann; his personal coach is noted wrestler Yogeshwar Dutt. Bajrang developed alongside formal training at SAI and the regional sports system while balancing studies and competition.

Career

Bajrang competes in freestyle wrestling, primarily in the 60–70 kg range. He won his first senior international medals in 2013, earning bronze at the Asian Wrestling Championships and at the World Championships that year. Over the next decade he established himself among the world’s elite in his weight class, collecting medals at continental championships, Commonwealth and Asian Games, and at World Championships and Olympic competitions.

His achievements include multiple gold medals at Commonwealth Championships and Games, gold at the Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games, and continental gold at the Asian Championships. He has taken silver and bronze medals at several Asian Championships and World Championship events. Notably, he won a bronze medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games in the 65 kg category.

Bajrang’s success has been recognised by the Indian government and sports bodies. He received the Arjuna Award in 2015 and in 2019 was honoured with the Padma Shri as well as the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna. He was also a recipient of the FICCI India Sports Award in 2020. Following significant international performances he was posted as a Gazetted officer at OSD Sports with the Indian Railways.

Public profile

Bajrang has been a prominent public figure both for his results on the mat and for his involvement in wider issues affecting Indian wrestling. He participated in high-profile protests in 2023 alongside other wrestlers calling for accountability in the national federation and demanding that serious allegations be investigated. In late 2023 he attempted to return his Padma Shri in protest over leadership changes in the Wrestling Federation of India.

His career has also included disciplinary episodes with anti-doping authorities. In April 2024 the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) suspended him for not providing a urine sample during selection trials; that suspension was later revoked by the Anti-Disciplinary Doping Panel, and NADA issued another suspension in June 2024.

Beyond the mat, Bajrang is known for enjoying sports such as basketball and football and for dancing in his leisure time. He has stated that he took part in local competitions in his early years to earn money before turning fully professional.

Personal life

Bajrang married fellow wrestler Sangeeta Phogat on 25 November 2020 in Balali, Haryana. His parents are Balvan Singh Punia and Om Pyari Punia. He has an elder brother, Harendra. Bajrang’s training base included the SAI regional centre in Sonepat, and he has cited learning from elders in his village as important to his upbringing. He has been nicknamed in the family context after a traditional devotion to Hanuman.

Politics and recent moves

Ahead of state elections in 2024 Bajrang resigned from his Indian Railways post and, along with fellow wrestler Vinesh Phogat, joined the Indian National Congress. In September 2024 he was appointed working chairman of the All India Kisan Congress, reflecting a recent transition into active politics.

Latest updates

In early 2024 Bajrang failed to qualify for the Paris Olympics, an outcome reported as an emotional moment for him. His interactions with anti-doping authorities continued throughout 2024 with suspensions and reversals. In September 2024 he formally joined the Indian National Congress and took on a leadership role within the party’s farmers’ wing.

Throughout his career Bajrang has remained active on social media, sharing training and personal moments with a substantial following across platforms.
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Recent Work

Commonwealth Games Birmingham

Gold medal in 65 kg category

2022
Olympic Games Tokyo

Bronze medal in 65 kg category

2020
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Career Highlights

  1. Bronze at the World Championships (2013, 2013 at 60 kg and 2019 at 65 kg among others)
  2. Bronze at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games (65 kg)
  3. Multiple gold medals at Commonwealth and Asian events
  4. Arjuna Award (2015), Padma Shri (2019), Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna (2019)
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Frequently Asked Questions

When was Bajrang Punia born?

26 February 1994

What is Bajrang Punia known for?

Wrestler

What is Bajrang Punia’s marital status?

Married

Who is Bajrang Punia married to?

Sangeeta Punia