Deepak Punia is one of the best young wrestlers to have come out of India in recent time

Deepak was honoured with the “Junior Freestyle Wrestler of the Year” award by United World Wrestling

Among those who came close to making India proud was boxer Deepak Punia, who was in contention for the bronze medal.

In conversation with PHYSIOTIMES, the free-style Wrestler and ARJUNA AWARDEE talks about his hard-work and the Significance of PHYSIOTHERAPY in his career.

Deepak, please tell us about your early life. How did Wrestling happened?

It all started from my village. In our Village we used to have 5 akharas, so all the children used to go there. That’s how it started for fun.

How did your family react to your decision of becoming a professional wrestler?

My family was very happy with the decision, as they also wanted someone from their family to do wrestling and represent India and win medals for the country.

How was your experience of winning Silver Medal in World Junior Championship?

It was a very good experience but was not fully satisfied as I wanted to win Gold Medal but because of injury i was not able to participate in finals.

You suffered from a severe Ankle Sprain? Did it demotivate you to participate further? 

I would like to thank my Physiotherapist Shubham Gupta for this, if he would not be there I might not be able to play matches on that day and reach to finals. He did the treatment between my matches and made sure that I can play without any pain and discomfort.

When was the first time you met a Physiotherapist?
I was sponsored by OGQ in 2017 since then I am having Physiotherapist with me.

Do you appreciate the role of having a Team Physio on board?

Yes ofcourse, a Physiotherapist is a person who stays with you all the time and understand your body and its functioning. So in the career of a 
players Physiotherapist is a must.

At the Poland Open, you suffered a left-hand injury, resulting in pulling out of the competition to avoid aggravating before the Tokyo Olympics. Can you share the Rehab that you undergo for the same? 

Yes due to Olympics nearby, i didn’t want to take risk with my injury so i didn't play in that tournament. 

Yes my Physiotherapist used to take 2 sessions everyday for my exercises of elbow and also for whole body so that I could can stay fit.

Can you remember the Physios who worked with you?

Physiotherapist Shubham Gupta is working with me from long time.

How did you train while you were at home during the lockdown?

Lockdown was a very difficult time specially for a contact sport, the only thing we can do was to maintain our fitness, so for that OGQ helped me setting up my personal gym at my home, because of that I was able to do fitness exercises during lockdown.