Wrestlers usually prefer to lead a life of an ascetic — quiet and simple. But that doesn’t imply they are unwilling to talk. When it comes to discussing their training routines or their chances in competitions, the faithfuls of Bajrangbali are usually at ease. They can be really candid when surroundings are to their liking. It was during one such talk with the media in the first week of July, India’s most decorated wrestler Sushil Kumar announced Rio will be his last Olympics. He, however, didn’t comment about his retirement. When it came to talking about the propects of young grapplers he didn’t hold back words of praise. This was not the first time he was praising the bunch of youngsters, whom he felt could trail his path. After the Glasgow Commonwealth Games, he mentioned them as the future face of Indian wrestling. “Look at the likes of Amit (Kumar), Bajrang (Kumar) and Satyawart (Kadian). They are the face of Indian wrestling in future.”
The 32-year-old’s glowing opinion was not the only one. After the selection trials for the Las Vegas World Championships at Sonepat in July, Yogeshwar Dutt also aired similar views. “Our juniors are very good. The likes of Bajrang, Amit, Praveen (Rana) are doing very well. We have high hopes on them in the future,” the 32-year-old Olympic medallist had said.
These profound remarks of seasoned campaigners shed light into the present state of affairs of wrestling in the country. The game has made such rapid advances that even senior players like Sushil and Dutt had to fight it out with juniors for a place in the side.
While Sushil, due to injury, had to skip a face-off with Narsingh Yadav in selection trials for the World Championships, Dutt staved off Amit Kumar Dhankhar’s challenge to earn a Las Vegas ticket. The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), understandably, is cock-a-hoop over the progress. “Juniors are rapidly evolving and almost ready to fill seniors’ shoes. This has even landed us in tricky situations,” reckons VN Prasood, secretary of WFI.
“Our main concern is where to accommodate these players. For each weight category, we can have only one contender, and it’s difficult to separate the best from the bench. So, we usually have the only option of going for trials. That’s why Dutt had to fight with a junior. An Olympic-medallist fighting in trials for a berth in the squad. This is something unheard of in India! We’re having headaches on this. But, it’s a good one,” he added.
Former chief national coach Vinod Kumar counts this as the supply lines being strong. “Before the 2008 Beijing Olympics, our expectation was on Sushil. In 2012 in London, hopes hinged on Sushil and Dutt. Now, we have more faces and more names. Take for example Narsingh. He is taking part in 74kg, the same category as Sushil.
“Suppose Narsingh wins gold in Las Vegas, he will earn an Olympic berth. Then it’s up to the federation to decide whom they send. That’s a sweet problem to solve,” said the coach, who accompanied the team to London.
Narsingh, meanwhile, is least perturbed about the future. “Usually, those who earn berths are sent for Olympics. But right now, I’m not thinking about those issues. My priority is to win a gold in Worlds,” said the 26-year-old before leaving for Las Vegas.
Apart from Narsingh, Amit (57 kg) and Bajrang (61 kg) are two other youngsters expected to do well in Las Vegas. Both won silver and bronze, respectively, in the last edition. Moreover, there is the ever-dependable Dutt, whose presence alone, according to Prasood, will give confidence to the entire squad. “He’s in red hot form and likely to win gold. Another aspect is the confidence he brings to the side. In Sushil’s absence, he’ll have to motivate and guide youngsters.”
Las Vegas is the first qualifying event for Rio, after which there are two events — the continental championships and World Qualification Tournament. The WFI expects four men to qualify for Rio. The most stellar performance over the last year came from Vinesh Phogat (48 kg). The Haryana girl won Commonwealth Games gold and followed it up with a silver in the Asian Games. All eyes would be on this 21-year-old from Haryana. “Vinesh is the best of the lot. She’s a vital cog in our Olympic preparation,” observes Prasood. Apart from her, Babita Phogat (53 kg) and Geeta Phogat (58 kg) are also tipped to move along.
“The three are in good form and I expect them to win. This is Geeta’s second world championship and she has the experience that can come to her aid. Taking into account the overall form of women, I feel they can grab medals in three-four events,” says Mahavir Phogat, coach and father of Babita and Geeta.
India will be hoping Mahavir’s words come true at the worlds from Monday.
The big men and women will grapple for Olympic spots and a one-way ticket to immortality. ss takes a look at some of the Indian contenders…
squad
Men’s teams: Freestyle: Amit Kumar (57 kg), Bajrang Singh (61 kg), Yogeshwar Dutt (65 kg), Arun (70 kg), Narsingh Yadav (74 kg), Naresh Kumar (86 kg), Mausam Khatri (97 kg), Sumit (125 kg). Support Staff: Kuldeep Singh (coach), Jagmal Singh (coach), Sunil Rajguru (masseur), Manjul Nautiyal (masseur).
Greco-Roman: Ravinder Singh (59 kg), Deepak (66 kg), M Rafique (71 kg), Gurpreet Singh (75 kg), Harpreet Singh (80 kg), Manoj Kumar (85 kg), Hardeep (98 kg), Naveen (130 kg). Support Staff: Kuldeep Singh (coach), Mahabir Prasad (coach), Chandervijay Singh (coach), Brajesh (physio), Krishan Kumar (masseur).
Women’s team: Vinesh (48 kg), Babita (53 kg), Lalita (55 kg), Geeta Phogat (58 kg), Sarita (60 kg), Anita (63 kg), Navjot (69 kg), Nikki (75 kg). Support Staff: AN Yadav (coach), Krtishna Arya (coach), Shweta Bala (masseur), Dhirendra Pratap (physio).
India’s performances at past Worlds
2013 (Hungary) 1 Silver | 2 Bronze
2012 (Canada) 2 Bronze
2010 (Moscow) 1 Gold
2009 (Denmark) 1 Bronze
2006 (China) 1 Bronze
1967 (India) 1 Silver
1961 (Japan) 1 Bronze
Total: 1 Gold | 2 Silver | 7 Bronze
Amit Kumar
Referred to as heir apparent to Sushil, the 21-year-old’s quest for perfection is unparalled. One of the youngest Indian wrestlers, Kumar has already been to the Olympics and has helped himself to gold at the Commonwealth Games. Having already tasted success at Worlds before, he is on the fast lane to fulfilling his potential.
Commonwealth Games: 1 Gold
World Championships: 1 Silver
Babita Kumari
One of India’s youngest medal winners at the 2010 Commonwealth Games, the sport is part of her family’s genes. Her sister, Geeta Phogat, was India’s first ever woman’s gold medallist at the Commonwealth Games (2010), while father Mahavir was himself a wrestler at the national level.
Commonwealth Games: 1 Gold | 1 Silver
World Championships: 1 Bronze
Geeta Phogat
Another from the Haryana stable, the 26-year-old became the first Indian woman to compete in wrestling at the Olympics. Training with boys in her native district of Bhiwani, Geeta excelled in all age-group categories before a gold at the Commonwealth Championships in Jalandhar in 2009 catapulted her into the big leagues.
Commonwealth Games: 1 Gold
World Championships: 1 Bronze
Bajrang Singh
One for the future when he rose to prominence with a bronze in the Asian Championships in New Delhi two years ago, the 21-year-old took the highway to success with a fine world bronze in Budapest just a few months later. The hype surrounding Bajrang seems to be justified, as both senior pros Yogeshwar and Sushil, have singled him out as one to watch in the years to come.
World Championships: 1 Bronze
Asian Games: 1 Silver
Commonwealth Games: 1 Silver
Narsingh Yadav
Big things are expected out of the first Maharashtrian wrestler to qualify for the Olympics in 40 years. His coaches expected him to deliver, and his very first international medal — gold in the Asian Championships at New Delhi five years ago — put him firmly in spotlight. He has enhanced his reputation further with big performances in international events since then.
Commonwealth Games: 1 Gold
Asian Games: 1 Bronze
Yogeshwar Dutt
The two-time Commonwealth Games champion has been one of the country’s most consistent performers and will be one of the main men in Las Vegas. Having initially competed in the 60kg category, the Padma Shri has made the smooth transition to the 65 kg event.
Asian Games: 1 Gold | 1 Silver
Commonwealth Games: 2 Gold
Olympics: 1 Silver
Schedule
Men: Monday: Greco-Roman (66KG, 75KG, 98KG): Preliminaries, 1/8, 1/4, 1/2 Finals and Repechage | 10 AM — 5 PM.
Opening Ceremonies | 6:30 PM — 7:00 PM.
Bronze and Gold Medal Matches | 7:30 PM — 9:30 PM
Tuesday: Greco-Roman (59KG, 71KG, 80KG, 130KG): Preliminaries, 1/8, 1/4, 1/2 Finals and Repechage | 10 AM — 4:30 PM.
Bronze and Gold Medal Matches | 6:30 PM — 9:30 PM.
Wednesday: Greco-Roman (85KG) and Women’s Freestyle: (48KG, 53KG, 69KG): Preliminaries, 1/8, 1/4, 1/2 Finals and Repechage | 10 AM — 4 PM.
Bronze and Gold Medal Matches | 6:30 PM — 9:30 PM.
Thursday: Freestyle (55KG, 58KG, 63KG, 75KG) and Men’s Freestyle (65KG): Preliminaries, 1/8, 1/4, 1/2 Finals and Repechage | 10AM — 4 PM.
Bronze & Gold Medal Matches | 6:30 PM — 10 PM.
Friday: Freestyle (60KG) and Men’s Freestyle: Preliminaries, 1/8, 1/4, 1/2 Finals and Repechage | 10 AM — 4PM.
Bronze and Gold Medal Matches | 6:30 PM — 9:30 PM.
Saturday: Men: Freestyle (57KG, 70KG, 74KG, 125KG):
Preliminaries, 1/8, 1/4, 1/2 Finals and Repechage | 10 AM — 4:30 PM. Bronze and Gold Medal Matches | 6:30 PM — 9:30 PM.