Bajrang Punia's journey to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics podium begins in Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan today. India's World No. 1 wrestler will take on the planet's best World Wrestling Championships (September 14-22), an Olympic qualifier.

Form factor

Punia (65kg) is in the form of his life and whatever he has touched this season has turned to gold. He has bagged gold medals in all the four events he has participated in — Dan Kolov competition in Bulgaria (March), Asian Championships in China (April), Ali Aliev tournament in Russia (May), Yasar Dogu International in Turkey (July). But with success comes pressure and that's why the Haryana grappler is not thinking too much about his top billing. "It's a great feeling to be World No. 1 and top seed, but I don't want to keep thinking about that. If I do, it will only add to the pressure on me and that's not a good thing," Punia told mid-day yesterday.