If India considered wrestling a medal sport for the Olympics, its stand was vindicated at the World Wrestling Championships in Budapest. Just a week after it was brought back into the Olympic fold, India struck metal at the World Championships in Hungary.
Following in the footsteps of double Olympic medallist and former world champion Sushil Kumar, young Amit Kumar clinched silver in the 55kg freestyle category to become the eighth Indian grappler to win a medal at the coveted Worlds.
But for the youngest wrestler to have competed at the London Olympics, this is not where his heart lies. “I am really happy to have won the silver, but a gold would have been sweeter,” he told TNIE from Budapest. “Now, I will work relentlessly for an Olympic gold. I just hope to stay fit and work hard. Age is on my side as well.”
The 20-year-old from Sonepat has also fixed his eyes on the Commonwealth and Asian Games next year. “Next year will be crucial as we have some big events coming up,” he said. “I am young and if I train well, I am sure of doing well not only at the CWG or the Asian Games but also in the Olympics.”
Amit felt it was a poor decision by the referee that cost him the final against Hassan Farman Rahimi. He felt he was penalised without a valid reason. “If my approach was negative, so was the opponent’s,” said Amit. “I was surprised to be docked a point and that upset my rhythm.”
Amit put up a valiant show against the powerhouses of contemporary wrestling. He defeated grapplers from Japan, USA and Turkey before finally losing to Iran’s Rahimi, who he had beaten in the Olympics last year.
Even his coach felt, things would have been different had the referee not given a negative point. “He was the clear winner against all his opponents. He won all his bouts with a technical fall,” said Virender Kumar from Budapest. “It was a really close finish. Amit was leading in the first round, but lost in the end because of the referee’s arguable decision,” added Virender.
His coach exuded the same amount of confidence as his ward. “He is good enough to bag a medal for the country in the Olympics.” Now, Amit’s presence will be a big motivation for other wrestlers as well. Another medal or two in the kitty would do a world of good to the confidence of the highly-skilled and young wrestlers. With the women’s events beginning on Wednesday, all eyes will be on Babita Kumari, who bagged a bronze in last year’s championship.
“Amit has performed exceptionally well. I just hope our girls are able to emulate Amit’s feat,” said Vinod Tomar, assistant secretary of the Indian Wrestling Federation.