India's top wrestler Bajrang Punia on Tuesday said not even an Olympic medal will heal the pain of his controversial semifinal loss at the just-concluded World Championships.
The 25-year-old from Haryana, who had claimed bronze and silver in the last two editions, lost to local favourite Daulet Niyazbekov in the 65 kg semifinal following some debatable decisions by the judges in Kazakhstan.
The two were tied 9-9 after the bout but the Kazakh was declared winners by points, robbing Bajrang a chance to fight for the gold medal. The Indian had to be contend with a bronze.
"It is very demoralising when you lose due to bias or someone wins by cheating because I didn't do anything wrong. I didn't lose out the gold because of my mistakes," Bajrang told PTI during a chat.
"I know I have to forget this pain. I have to put this aside to do well in the future tournaments but it is difficult to get over it."
"I need to work on all areas. Overall, whether it is leg defence, attack or counter attack, I need to keep improving in all aspects going ahead."