The country’s unprecedented performance, fi ve medals, and four Olympic quota places, in the World Wrestling Championships in Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan, speaks of the constant inflow of talent and the solid bench strength in freestyle wrestling in India.
So far, Indian wrestlers have bagged a total of 18 medals, including one gold and four silver, in the elite event. Five of them (all bronze) have been won by women.
Since the World Championships in the pre-Olympics year offers maximum quota places, it is the most competitive platform ahead of the quadrennial extravaganza. India earning nearly one-third of its overall medals and a quartet of quota places indicates the level of its wrestlers.
After the euphoric performance of Sushil Kumar and Yogeshwar Dutt in the 2012 London Olympics and the brilliant display of the second generation of wrestlers— Amit Dahiya, Bajrang Punia, and Greco-Roman wrestler Sandeep Yadav — in the 2013 Budapest World championships, the scenario didn’t look very promising (despite Narsingh Yadav and Sakshi Malik’s bronze medals in the Worlds and Olympics respectively).
Medals earned by Bajrang and Pooja Dhanda in last year’sWorld Championships gave hope before the best-ever showing in Nur-Sultan pointed towards a brighter future.
Accomplished wrestlers such as Bajrang, Rahul Aware and Vinesh Phogat, performed to their potential and new faces like Deepak Punia and Ravi Dahiya exhibited their talent to claim one silver and four bronze medals.
The icing on the cake was the Olympic quota places bagged by Vinesh, Bajrang, Deepak, and Ravi. This will encourage other Indian wrestlers in the coming Olympic qualifying events to go for more berths in the Tokyo Games. For India to achieve the ambitious target of double digits in the Tokyo medals tally, two disciplines have to contribute significantly. One is shooting and the other wrestling.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Tokyo Marathon Cancelled For Amateurs On Coronavirus Fears
Organisers in Japan cancelled the amateur portion of the Tokyo marathon, affecting around 38,000 runners, on fears about the spread of the new coronavirus in Japan.
Right Criteria To Pick The Tennis GOAT
What should the criteria be? What weight should be attached to each criterion? And what should not be considered as valid criteria?
The making of a batting behemoth
If Steve Smith dominated the Ashes in England in a dramatic, blockbuster fashion then his like for like a replacement, Marnus Labuschagne, is the Next Big Thing after an exciting summer of run-glut.
WHEN ACES WERE REWARDED...
It was an evening of nostalgia and celebration when the Sportstar Aces awards were given away in Mumbai.
A question of recognition
After a week of awards, one wonders if it’s only a departed player that one will be named after.
Thinking straight, thinking right!
“A lot depends on when I am bowling and what is required from me. That’s something I do when I play for India and I try to follow the same thing in the domestic circuit,” says Yuzvendra Chahal.
The Big Three and the Next Gen
Though the Big Three are very unlikely to retire during the same year, Judy Murray, mother of Andy, echoed the sentiments of many fans worried about the impact of their departures.
WAKING UP TO MENTAL HEALTH
Sport at large and cricket specifically has taken an inordinately long time to address the elephant in the room — the dark abyss of depression.
Like sunshine in a gloomy dressing room
Bangladesh quick Abu Jayed Rahi is new in the red-ball arena, but his swing brings back old memories — of James Anderson on green tops.
The league of the masses
With traditional clubs locking horns with the hard-working nurseries of the game, the I-League will continue to keep the beating heart of Indian football alive despite official apathy.
