Chinu takes bronze at Commonwealth Games

The 27-year-old Oldbury resident says he is "buzzing" after defeating New Zealand's Marcus Carney to claim the prize in the 125kg category in Glasgow.

In doing so, he created something of a stir on social media after his surname was listed as XXX during the competition, the result – it was claimed during television commentary – of an administrative error by the British Passport Office when he moved to the UK from his native India a decade ago.

The fighter himself, who is listed with the surname Singh on the website of Wolverhampton Wrestling Club, claims this story is not strictly true.

"I have no surname," he said. "I am simply called Chinu.

"The only thing is that sometimes when I enter competitions they list my name as XXX – that is what happened."

Ultimately all that matters to the ex-Sandwell College student is the medal and the banishing of the heartbreak from four years ago.

Chinu, a four-time British champion, had been selected for the England squad for the Games in Delhi but had to pull out through injury.

The experience served as motivation for his triumph this week.

"Missing out four years ago was hard to take," he said. "All I wanted to do after that was prove myself and make my family proud.

"I've spoken to people back at home and they are very happy, I've had messages off my coaches to say well done."

After wins over Claude Mbianga and Pakistan's Zaman Anwar in the earlier rounds, Chinu was beaten by the eventual champion, Canada's Corey Jarvis, in the semi-finals.

With his father and grandfather both having wrestled competitively, it's no surprise Chinu has been involved in the sport since the age of five. But the past week, he said, has been something else.

"I have been wrestling for 20 years but this has been the best experience I have ever had," he said.

"From the opening ceremony right through the event itself, it has all been quite incredible."