Tokyo Olympics 2020: Indian wrestling team history and schedule
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India's Medal hopes in wrestling at the Tokyo Olympics
Preparations are in full bloom for the Tokyo Olympics 2020, which starts in a week. The whole entourage of each competing nation is on their feet in hopes of bringing their best game and contributing to their country’s medal count. When it comes to Team India’s roster, there are a number of bright talents who are expected to bring national success.
Wrestling is India’s second-most successful Olympic sport behind hockey, with five medals. Only 7 wrestlers from India will compete in the Games after Sumit Malik was found to be positive for Covid-19.
Ravi Kumar Dahiya, Bajrang Punia, Deepak Punia, Seema Bisla, Anshu Malik, Vinesh Phogat, and Sonam Malik will represent India in Wrestling at the Summer Olympics.
Indian Wrestling team history at the Olympics
Wrestling has been an important component of the athletic extravaganza in the Olympics. It is one of the few sports that has been in every edition of the Olympics to date.
Wrestling was the event wherein independent India earned its maiden solo Olympic medal, a bronze medal in the 1952 Helsinki Games won by Khashaba Dadasaheb Jadhav. However, for half a decade after that triumph, India were unable to win another medal in that sport.
However, Sushil Kumar and Yogeshwar Dutt ended the wait as they won bronze medals in the 66 kg and 60 kg categories, respectively in the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Sushil went on to earn a silver medal in London 2012, making him the first Indian athlete to win multiple Olympic medals in an individual sport.
Later, Sakshi Malik went on to clinch a bronze medal in Rio 2016, making her the first female wrestler from India to earn an Olympic medal.
India are expected to clinch some medals in Wrestling at the Tokyo Olympics 2020 with the World No.1 Vinesh Phogat leading the Indian contingent.
Also Read | Vinesh Phogat, Anshu and Divya Kakran clinch gold at the Asian Wrestling Championship
India’s Wrestling team schedule at Tokyo Olympics 2020
- Tuesday, 03rd August, 07:30 am IST
Women’s Freestyle 62kg 1/8 Finals (Sonam Malik)
- Wednesday, 04th August, 07:30 am IST
Women’s Freestyle 57kg 1/8 Finals (Anshu Malik)
Men’s Freestyle 57kg 1/8 Finals (Ravi Kumar Dahiya)
Men’s Freestyle 86kg 1/8 Finals (Deepak Punia)
- Thursday, 05th August, 07:30 am IST
Women’s Freestyle 53kg 1/8 Finals (Vinesh Phogat)
- Friday, 6 August, 07:30 am IST
Men’s Freestyle 65kg 1/8 Finals (Bajrang Punia)
Women’s Freestyle 50kg 1/8 Finals (Seema Bisla)
Also Read | Anshu and Sonam Malik confirm Tokyo Olympics berth at the Asian Olympic Wrestling Qualifiers
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Mohamed Azhar
(370 Articles Published)