The Rise and Challenges of Indian Wrestling on the Road to Paris Olympics

Indian wrestlers have consistently secured medals in every Olympic Games since 2008 in Beijing, solidifying wrestling’s position as a premier Olympic sport in the nation. This success has extended to the junior level as well, with the emergence of U23 world champions, raising expectations for outstanding performances in Paris.

Sushil Kumar’s bronze medal in 2008 marked a turning point in the perception of wrestling in India. He surpassed his own achievement by claiming silver in the 2012 London Games, where Yogeshwar Dutt also earned a bronze. Sakshi Malik continued the tradition with a bronze in Rio in 2016, and Ravi Dahiya and Bajrang Punia secured a double triumph in the postponed Tokyo Games (2021).

Despite the sport’s rapid ascent and anticipation of even greater accomplishments, the wrestling controversy and the protests that followed hurt the sport. It left such an impact that only one male and five female wrestlers are part of India’s Olympic contingent. National camps and domestic tournaments were suspended, leading to uncertainty and confusion. Allegations and counter-arguments ensued. Although WFI elections were conducted and the national body faced suspension, the lifting of the suspension by UWW signaled a return to normalcy.

But with only one male and five female wrestlers qualifying for the Paris Games, there is a mix of hope and uncertainty surrounding the sport’s future prospects.

Aman Sehrawat (Men’s 57kg)

Aman’s consistent improvement led to an astonishing feat: he replaced Ravi Dahiya, the Olympic silver medallist and the most formidable Indian wrestler, in the men’s 57kg weight division. Aman’s primary asset is his exceptional stamina and endurance. If the bout lasts six minutes, it will be difficult to beat him. Nevertheless, his limited strategy and technique are areas that need improvement. This was apparent during his match against Rei Higuchi in the Ranking Series event in Hungary, where he seemed to lack a backup plan. At this level of competition, devising specific strategies against each opponent is crucial. Aman’s most significant challenges come from Rei Higuchi and Gulomjon Abdullaev of Uzbekistan.

Vinesh Phogat (Women’s 50kg)

Vinesh Phogat is undeniably one of India’s finest female wrestlers. Her robust defense and impressive offensive skills are her key assets. Nevertheless, her lack of significant mat-time against elite competitors over the past year or so may pose challenges. Dropping to the 50kg weight class puts additional strain on her body. The weight-cut process before a match is grueling and drains the body’s energy, which is particularly challenging for her as she approaches 30. With a natural body weight of around 55-56kg, much will depend on how Vinesh manages this change.

Antim Panghal (Women’s 53kg)

Hisar’s dynamic wrestler was the first to secure a spot in the Paris Olympics. During the height of the wrestling protests related to WFI chief, she also demanded a trial against Vinesh. Her exceptional flexibility is her greatest asset, enabling her to effortlessly escape her opponents’ grasp. Trapping her is a challenging task. She possesses both spark and fire. Nevertheless, she hasn’t participated in any competitions since the Asian Games. A back injury prevented her from attending this year’s Asian Championship. The absence of game-time and competitive experience could potentially be her downfall.

Anshu Malik (Women’s 57kg)

Anshu’s journey in the world of wrestling has been marked by ups and downs since her impressive performances in junior competitions and her transition to senior events. Despite the challenges posed by injuries, she remains one of India’s top prospects at the Paris Olympics. Her strengths are in quick movement and an aggressive approach. Her experience competing at the Olympic level, although as a teenager in Tokyo where she may not have been fully prepared, has provided her with valuable insights into the demands of high-level competition. However, as she approaches the Olympics, there are concerns about her fitness due to a potential shoulder injury. Although Anshu maintains that it is merely a neck spasm, the lack of thorough testing leaves some uncertainty surrounding her physical condition.

Nisha Dahiya (Women’s 68kg)

Rising star Nisha Dahiya has discreetly secured her spot in the Paris Games, despite facing setbacks due to injuries that hindered her progress. She has bounced back since 2021, catching her skilled opponents off guard with her fierce fighting style. With a wealth of experience under her belt, Dahiya’s fearless approach is her greatest asset. However, her lack of consistent exposure to high-level competitions is a drawback, along with her tendency to lose momentum in the final minutes of a bout. A bout that goes the distance generally poses problems for Nisha because she tends to put her everything in the first four minutes of her bouts. Managing her nerves during her debut performance will also be crucial to Nisha’s success.

Reetika Hooda (Women’s 76kg)

Reetika is a formidable competitor in the wrestling circuit, possessing the ability to catch her opponents off guard. While not a complete stranger to the wrestling community, her exceptional power can pose a significant challenge even to seasoned wrestlers. Reetika’s arsenal includes both impressive strength and technical prowess. However, she has a tendency to give away points in the final 30 seconds of her matches. Despite establishing a lead, she often finds herself losing those hard-earned points. This suggests that her Achilles’ heel may be a lack of concentration in the closing moments of her bouts.

(With PTI inputs)