Asian Games 2018: Personal coach of Punia livid over no credit

Emzario Bentinidis

Even as the rest of the Indian wrestling contingent were in a celebratory mode last evening moments after wrestler Bajrang Punia won India's first gold medal, in the 65kg category, in the Asian Games, the grappler's personal coach Emzario Bentinidis was furious.

The Georgian was upset that everyone else around him was trying to steal the credit for Bajrang's success. "I have worked 24 hours each and every day for the last four months and have made Bajrang the champion that he is, but none of the coaches or the Wrestling Federation of India have come up to thank me," Bentinidis told mid-day yesterday.

India's chief coach Jagminder Singh tried to pacify Bentinidis but he refused to calm down. "Mr Jagminder, you are a nice man, but the people around you are not. These people have taken the flag and are running around the stadium with Bajrang as though they have done everything for him," said Bentinidis, referring to couple of Indian assistant coaches, who hoisted Bajrang on their shoulders, holding up the tri-colour for a victory lap.

"People say that these things happen in India, but it is unfair. I have ignored by old parents back home in Georgia and once was even unable to go back home to renew my daughters' passports because of my commitment to Bajrang and Indian wrestling. They cannot do this to me," he added.

"I have coached in many countries and command a lot of respect everywhere I go in the world. I got paid a lot more money when I was previously coaching in Switzerland than what I earn here in India but I'm here only because Bajrang is a good, promising wrestler. I don't deserve this. To hell with everyone and everything if this is their attitude," he said.

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