What are the winning chances of Indian wrestlers at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics?

In our last article, we had discussed about the chances of India in Athletics and Swimming. Today we are going to discuss the chances of India in Wrestling. 

India‘s first ever Olympic medal in Individual category after independence was won by K.D Jadhav in Wrestling. The Indian wrestler won the Bronze medal at 1952 Olympic in Helsinki.   

India have won the medals in free style wrestling in all the Olympics since 2008. It was Sushil Kumar who started the journey when he won the Bronze medal in 2008 at the Beijing Olympics; followed by Silver in 2012 at the London Olympics. 

Yogeshwar Dutt, on the other hand won the Bronze medal in 2012 making it two medals out of the total six won by the India at London Olympics. In 2016, Sakshi Malik won the Bronze medal at the Rio Olymipics. This was her first ever medal for India in women wrestling category. 

For the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, we have a great hopes and expectations from Bajrang Punia (Khel Ratna Winner) in men’s category. He is one of our best bets in the wrestling as he's been great for India in the recent times. Punia has improved his technique a lot and is a giant killer. He is extremely dangerous in the last moments of the game and never lose hope until the final bell rings.

The Indian wrestler has won the Gold medal in the Asian and Commonwealth games along with the Silver and Bronze medal at the World Championship. The only medal, which is not in his kitty at the moment is an Olympic medal. Punia in number one wrestler in the world curently. Hence, we can definitely expect a medal from the Indian wrestler. 

Vinesh Phogat is our next best hope for the medal in women wrestling category. She has won medals at the Asian Games as well Commonwealth Games. Her technique is great and on her day she can beat the best in the game. 

Phogat was in a great form at the Rio Olympics, but an unfortunate injury against China pulled her out of medal race. She is in good form at the moment and we are hoping good results from her at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

In Greco-Roman wrestling category, if we succeed in achieving quotas like we did in the Rio Olympics, then it will be big achievement. However, wrestling spring surprises many and I'm expecting many surprises this time.  

The medal in wrestling can come from anyone in any format or in weight category. It all depends how the wrestlers perform on a particular day. There are talented Indian wrestlers and the sports authorities are also providing better facilities now. Foreign coaches are training the Indian players outside and inside of the country. I hope India will achieve maximum quotas at the Tokyo and chances of medals become bright accordingly.

No one expected medal from Sakshi, but she surprised everybody by winning at the Rio Olympic. Same is the case with Sushil who won the Bronze in the 2008 Olympics, and Yogeshwar Dutt done the same at the London Olympics. 

Divya Kakran and Pooja Dhanda are the other names in women wrestling who had shown the class recently. There should be no surprise, if they stand at the Olympic's podium soon.

We had the likes of Rahul Aware, Ravi Dahiya, Deepak Punia, Mausam Khatri, and Sumit Malik in Men’s category. In the women's category, Sakshi Malik, Navjot Kaur, and Ritu Phogat, who are champions on their day. Deepak Punia recently became the first Junior World Champion at the age of  18. He has won the Gold in 86 Kg weight category. 

With the arrival of Pro Wrestling League in India, Wrestlers got opportunity to play against quality opponents. Indian wrestlers have defeated the best in the business at the Pro Wrestling League. All they need strong will and mind power. Some favourable draw and Indian will be surely going to be at the Tokyo Olympic's podium. Good Luck Grapplers!