Indian Wrestling Aims for Continued Olympic Success in Paris

Indian wrestling has established itself as a dominant force in the Olympics, with medal-winning performances in every edition since 2008. This success has elevated wrestling's status in the country, inspiring young athletes and raising hopes for continued excellence.

Sushil Kumar's bronze medal in Beijing 2008 marked a turning point, followed by his silver in London 2012 and Yogeshwar Dutt's bronze in the same Games. Sakshi Malik's bronze in Rio 2016 and the double delight of Ravi Dahiya and Bajrang Punia in Tokyo 2021 further cemented India's wrestling prowess.

However, the sport faced a setback due to prolonged protests against the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) by elite wrestlers. This led to the suspension of national camps and domestic competitions, creating uncertainty and confusion.

Despite these challenges, India has qualified six wrestlers for the upcoming Paris Olympics: Aman Sehrawat (men's freestyle 50kg), Vinesh Phogat (women's 50kg), Antim Panghal (women's 53kg), Anshu Malik (women's 57kg), Nisha Dahiya (women's 68kg), and Reetika Hooda (women's 76kg).

Aman Sehrawat:

Sehrawat's steady progress has earned him a spot in the 50kg weight division, replacing Olympic silver medalist Ravi Dahiya. His strengths lie in his stamina and endurance, making him a formidable opponent in long bouts. However, his limited strategy and technique could be a weakness.

Vinesh Phogat:

Phogat is one of India's most accomplished female wrestlers, known for her solid defense and impressive attack. However, her lack of quality mat time in recent years and the weight cut to 50kg could pose challenges.

Antim Panghal:

Panghal's flexibility and ability to escape her rivals' grips make her a dangerous opponent. However, her lack of recent competition due to a back injury could be a concern.

Anshu Malik:

Malik's quick movement and aggressive style have made her a promising prospect. Despite her experience at the Tokyo Olympics, her fitness is a worry due to a suspected shoulder injury.

Nisha Dahiya:

Dahiya's aggressive game style and fearless approach have earned her a spot in the Paris Games. However, her lack of exposure to major events and tendency to lose steam in the later stages of bouts could be weaknesses.

Reetika Hooda:

Hooda's explosive strength and technique make her a potential threat to her rivals. However, her habit of conceding points in the closing seconds of bouts could be a vulnerability.

Tags: #IndianWrestling, #ParisOlympics, #AmanSehrawat, #VineshPhogat, #AntimPanghal