Emotions ran high as Bajrang Punia, India’s first gold medallist at the Asian Games on Sunday, dedicated his medal to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who breathed his last after a prolonged illness last week.

“I want to dedicate this medal to former PM Vajpayee ji,” Bajrang said after winning 11-8 against Japanese rival Takatani Daichi.

Bajrang also said speaking to his ‘guru’ and Olympian Yogeshwar Dutt before the final bout helped. “He (Yogeshwar) told me that I had won it in 2014 and you will have to win it this time. A 28-year gap for a wrestling gold (before Yogeshwar broke the jinx) is long. He had also advised to remain focus to the event,” he said.