Wrestling is one of the most prominent sports in India, and its history spans from ancient times to modern Akhada. India has been sending athletes to compete in wrestling since 1920, when Randhir Shinde became the first Indian wrestler to represent the nation, finishing fourth.
Khashaba Dadasaheb Jadhav won India’s first-ever wrestling medal, a bronze, setting the stage for future success. However, India experienced many near misses, with numerous fourth-place finishes in the years that followed.
Finally, in 2008, Sushil Kumar broke the 56-year Olympic medal drought for India by winning a bronze. The momentum continued, with Sushil Kumar and Yogeshwar Dutt winning medals in 2012, followed by Sakshi Malik in 2016, and Bajrang Punia and Ravi Dahiya in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Expectations were high for the Paris Olympics, with hopes that Indian wrestlers would secure multiple medals, continuing the proud streak.
Injury woes and heartbreak
Sometimes, despite giving their all, luck doesn’t favour our athletes, as was the case with two of India’s wrestlers in Paris.
Nisha Dahiya was on the verge of securing India’s first wrestling medal at the Olympics when a devastating injury dashed her hopes. Dominating her quarterfinal match, she sustained a hand injury that forced her to withdraw. There were also allegations of foul play, with suggestions that her opponent deliberately injured her.
Vinesh Phogat’s journey to the Paris Olympics was filled with challenges. Overcoming injuries, personal struggles, and public criticism, she showcased her best form in Paris. She made a statement by defeating the reigning Olympic champion in her first bout and went on to win her semifinal, advancing to the final with a silver medal seemingly assured. However, a tragic twist occurred when she was disqualified for being slightly overweight, despite extreme efforts to cut weight.
Anshu Malik and Reetika Hooda: Disappointing exits
Anshu Malik’s second Olympic campaign ended in disappointment with a loss in the pre-quarterfinals. Hopes for a repechage were dashed. Reetika Hooda, India’s first female Olympic heavyweight wrestler, showed promise with an early win but was eliminated in the quarterfinals. Her chances for a bronze medal depended on her opponent reaching the final, but that did not happen.
Aman Sehrawat: India’s wrestling hero
While the other Indian wrestlers faced setbacks, Aman Sehrawat emerged as a beacon of hope. He won India’s first wrestling medal at the Paris Olympics, a bronze, contributing significantly to the country’s overall medal tally. This medal also continued India’s Olympic wrestling medal streak, which began at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
Not a good campaign
Overall, this was a decent campaign for the Indian wrestling team. However, it is essential to understand that it’s not just about the athletes focussing on winning; the support staff and medics also play a crucial role, as highlighted by the cases of Vinesh Phogat and Nisha Dahiya. It was indeed a heartbreaking campaign for the Indian wrestling contingent at the games. Moving forward, the focus must be on qualifying more wrestlers and securing more spots for the LA Games in 2028.
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