India is set to begin its wrestling campaign at the Paris 2024 Olympics on Monday at the Champ de Mars Arena in the French capital. This marks the 21st edition of the Games in which Indian wrestlers will participate. At the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, India was represented by seven wrestlers, with Ravi Kumar Dahiya (men’s freestyle 57kg) winning silver and Bajrang Punia (men’s freestyle 65kg) taking bronze. Unfortunately, neither of them qualified for the Paris Games.
India’s Wrestling Representatives at Paris 2024
Six Indian wrestlers will compete in Paris, with Aman Sehrawat as the sole male representative. The 20-year-old Asian champion and Asian Games bronze medallist will compete in the 57kg freestyle category. Aman, who replaced Ravi Dahiya in the category, is one of India’s best hopes at the Paris Olympics. Although he may not have the comeback story of Dahiya, he possesses the ability to handle pressure and keep opponents at bay.
In the women’s division, all eyes will be on two-time Olympian Vinesh Phogat, competing in the 50kg category. Vinesh, India’s most accomplished female wrestler with two World Championships, three Commonwealth Games, and eight Asian Championships medals, aims to prove her worth on the biggest stage. At the Rio 2016 Olympics, a leg injury during her quarterfinal bout cut short her campaign. In Tokyo 2020, she suffered a crushing defeat in the quarterfinals and faced accusations of misconduct, leading to a suspension by the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI). Despite contemplating retirement, Vinesh fought back and waged a legal battle against the WFI chief for sexual misconduct, which hindered her participation in the World Championships. As a result, Antim Panghal secured the Paris Olympics quota in the 53kg category, prompting Vinesh to drop to the 50kg category. Despite being unseeded, she faces a significant challenge ahead.
Other female athletes include Commonwealth Games silver medallist Anshu Malik (women’s 57kg), U-23 world champion Reetika Hooda (women’s 76kg), India’s sole entry in the heavyweight category, and Nisha Dahiya (women’s 68kg), an Asian Championships silver medallist. All three will make their Olympic debut in Paris.
India’s Wrestling Schedule at the 2024 Paris Olympics:
- August 5 (6:30 PM IST): Women’s 68kg (Nisha Dahiya) – Qualification bouts till Semifinals
- August 6 (3:00 PM IST): Women’s 50kg (Vinesh Phogat) – Qualification bouts till Semifinals
- August 7 (3:00 PM IST): Women’s 53kg (Antim Panghal) – Qualification bouts till Semifinals
- August 8 (3:00 PM IST): Men’s freestyle 57kg (Aman Sehrawat) – Qualification bouts till Semifinals; Women’s 57kg (Anshu Malik)
- August 10 (3:00 PM IST): Women’s 76kg (Reetika Hooda) – Qualification bouts till Semifinals
(Repechage and medal bouts in all categories will take place the day after the quarterfinals.)
Stay tuned for more updates as India’s wrestlers strive for glory at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
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