Indian Wrestlers at Paris Olympics 2024
The Indian wrestlers’ journey from traditional ‘Akhaadas’ to the grand Olympic stage has been nothing short of inspirational. The Paris Olympics 2024 marked yet another chapter in this saga, showcasing the relentless spirit of Indian wrestlers who continue to make their mark on the global stage. Despite facing challenges both on and off the mat, Indian wrestlers displayed remarkable resilience, adding to the country’s Olympic legacy.
A Legacy of Wrestling Excellence:
(i) India’s first-ever wrestling medal was won by KD Jadhav at the 1952 Helsinki Olympics.
(ii) It took 56 years for India to secure another wrestling medal, with Sushil Kumar winning bronze at the Beijing Olympics in 2008.
(iii) Since then, Indian wrestlers have consistently brought home Olympic medals, making wrestling one of India’s most successful sports in the Olympics.
Challenges Leading Up to Paris 2024:
The build-up to the Paris Olympics was clouded by a year-and-a-half-long protest led by top Indian wrestlers against the former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, over allegations of sexual assault. The protest, though successful off the mat, took its toll on the athletes, with many big names failing to qualify for the Paris Olympics. Only six wrestlers represented India in Paris, the lowest number among the 117-member Indian contingent.
Aman Sehrawat: The Rising Star:
(i) Aman Sehrawat, at just 21, became India’s youngest Olympic wrestling medallist.
(ii) Competing in the men’s 57kg freestyle event, Aman qualified by defeating Olympic silver medallist Ravi Kumar Dahiya.
(iii) He started his campaign with impressive victories over Macedonia’s Vladimir Egorov and Albania’s Zelimkhan Abakarov.
(iv) In the semi-finals, Aman faced a tough battle against Japan’s Rei Higuchi, the top seed and eventual gold medallist, but lost.
(v) In the bronze medal match, Aman displayed great resilience, overcoming a slow start to defeat Puerto Rico’s Darian Cruz with a score of 13-5.
Vinesh Phogat:
(i) Vinesh Phogat was on the verge of making history by becoming the first Indian woman wrestler to win Olympic gold in the 50kg category.
(ii) Unfortunately, she was disqualified from the final due to being 100 grams overweight on the day of the match.
(iii) This disqualification was a major setback as she missed out on a silver medal as well. She appealed for joint-silver but her request was denied.
Nisha Dahiya:
(i) Nisha Dahiya, competing in the women’s 68kg freestyle, was leading 8-1 in her quarterfinal match.
(ii) With less than 60 seconds left, Nisha suffered two quick injuries, allowing her opponent to make a comeback and win 10-8.
Antim Panghal:
(i) Antim Panghal was a major medal hope for India in the 53kg category but her campaign ended with a quarterfinal exit.
(ii) A controversy followed her exit as she gave her Olympic accreditation to her sister, sparking debate.
Reetika Hooda:
(i) Reetika Hooda, the first Indian wrestler to qualify for the heavyweight category (76kg freestyle), made a strong start in her quarterfinal bout.
(ii) However, she was defeated by Kyrgyzstan’s Medet Kyzy Aiperi via a countback rule, ending her campaign in a narrow 1-1 loss.
Looking Ahead to LA 2028:
Despite the challenges faced, Indian wrestlers’ performance at the Paris Olympics 2024 was commendable. Aman Sehrawat’s bronze medal was a significant achievement, symbolizing hope for the future. As the Indian wrestling contingent looks ahead to the Los Angeles Olympics 2028, there is optimism that they will not only continue their legacy but also change the color of the medal to gold.
The Paris Olympics 2024 showcased the indomitable spirit of Indian wrestlers who, despite the odds, made their country proud. As they continue to train and prepare, the world can expect even greater feats from them in the years to come.