India’s Wrestling Squad, whenever has been at the Olympics, has had expectations. Expectations, if not of a medal, then at least of representing the true potential of India. From Kasabha Jadhav to Sushil Kumar, Indian wrestlers have always shown flying colors! So, with India sending a big wrestling contingent this time, a medal or two was more than fixed. From Ravi Dahiya to Bajrang Punia, these athletes have performed supremely above expectations. Here’s a look: –
Ravi Kumar Dahiya and his silver: –
Ravi Kumar Dahiya, a lesser-known name in the wrestling circuit before the Tokyo Games, was India’s finest mat performer. In the 57kg category, Ravi won the silver. He defeated Colombian Tigreros with technical superiority 13-2 in the pre-quarters. Then it was Vangelov from Bulgaria. He too was defeated 14-4!! Ravi was dominating. Next, up was Sanayev from Kazakisthan, Ravi won that bout by fall!! The community witnessed Sanayev cheat and try to bite Ravi Kumar on his arm but, that didn’t stop Ravi from reaching the finals.
The finals were not that fruitful as Ravi lost the bout to Uguev from the ROC. The finals scoreline read 7-4. The silver belonged to India.
Bajrang Punia’s bright bronze: –
One of the most experienced and decorated individuals on the contingent was Bajrang Punia. Banrang Punia got home a bronze. His pre-quarters match was against Kyrgyzstan’s Akmatalieve. Bajrang won the match 3-3 since he had slammed a 2 pointer. Next up was Ghiasi Cheka from Iran. Bajrang won that game by fall. Then in came a semifinal bout. Haji Aliyev of Azerbaijan won this bout and sent Bajrang into the third-place game. This loss triggered Bajrang, who was the 1st seed, Bajrang showed up with flying colors in the third-place bout. When Bajrang claimed the Bronze up against Niyazbekov the scoreline read 8-0!!
Deepak Punia’s fighting spirit: –
Deepak’s bouts began with a pre-quarter against the Nigerian opponent. He won this game 12-1 by technical superiority. It was a comprehensive defeat. Next, was the quarter-final against the Chinese opponent. Deepak slammed, Z. Lin, the opponent’s face on the mat to win the bout 6-3. The semifinal was not the best of the games as Deepak lost to his American opponent, Taylor by technical superiority. In the third-place game, Deepak lost 4-2 to San Marino’s Myle’s Amine. Although this was not the best of performance from Deepak the experience, he has gained is worth every penny. The latest article claims that Deepak’s foreign Coach has been expelled from the Tokyo Olympics for misbehaving and assaulting the referee!
In inference, I would say that this performance by the Indian squad is bound to get better. With several new athletes coming up and with experienced athletes becoming more fitter and smarter, a gold medal on the wrestling mat isn’t much far away!!