I have got a chance to spend time with my family after so many years: Deepak Punia

PUNE: The nationwide

lockdown

seems to have stopped time. It is no different for the sportsmen.


Wrestler Deepak Punia, who was in peak of action before the Covid-19 pandemic forced everyone to stay indoors, is trying to keep himself motivated by keeping himself fit at his home in Chhara village of

Jhajjar

district in Haryana.

Unlike the routine training, Deepak doesn’t have a sparring partner, but that’s not a deterrent. “I can’t wrestle, but I can do the other physical activities. Like my routine, I get up at 4 am and follow my routine. I do all fitness activities that I used to do before the lockdown,” Deepak told TOI.

The 86-kg wrestler, who won silver at the World Championships and bronze at the Asian Championships, feels the lockdown may have made him stay away from the mat, but it has helped him spend time with his family. “It was long overdue. I don’t remember the last time I was at home for so many days. This period has helped me spend time with my parents,” he said.

Deepak is one of the four wrestlers to secure a quota for the Tokyo Games. However, with the Olympics having been postponed by a year, the wait for qualified athletes has extended.

“I was fit and had been preparing for the Games. I was in good form too, but this is something that had to be done. I now feel we have one more year to train and I am leaving no stone unturned to keep myself in shape,” the wrestler, who is supported by the Adani Group, said.

“I get the plan from my coach and I am in touch with him all the time. I am also utilizing the time by watching videos of my opponents and analyzing them so that it helps me in learning more about them.”