Ravi Dahiya, the Olympic medalist and wrestling sensation who captivated the world with his Tokyo Olympics silver, found himself at the center of an electrifying twist during the ongoing Asian Games 2023 wrestling trials. Fans were left utterly breathless as an earth-shattering upset unfolded before their eyes. In a gripping 57kg bout, the unheralded yet unstoppable Atish Todkar from Maharashtra took the center stage, leaving everyone in awe as he raced to an astounding 20-8 lead, pinning down the formidable wrestling giant, Ravi Dahiya!
The Indira Gandhi Stadium in Delhi on Sunday, where the atmosphere was charged with anticipation and excitement, Dahiya’s dreams of securing a spot in the Asian Games squad were on the line, but nobody could have predicted the sensational turn of events that followed.
Todkar, the underdog from Maharashtra, showed remarkable tenacity as he mounted a spectacular comeback after initially trailing Dahiya 4-6. With a display of sheer brilliance, he skillfully extended his lead to an insurmountable 20-8, leaving even the most seasoned wrestling enthusiasts in awe of his prowess.
The secret to Todkar’s triumph seemed to lie in his lightning-quick movements and cunning strategies. He consistently dodged and outmaneuvered Ravi, swiftly slipping from under his arms and executing flawless takedown moves. It was a display of wrestling finesse like no other, leaving the audience on the edge of their seats, gasping at every twist and turn.
For Dahiya, this was his long-awaited return to the wrestling arena after being sidelined due to debilitating ACL and MCL injuries in his right knee. Hopes were high for his triumphant comeback, but fate had other plans. Nevertheless, his resilience and courage in facing the trials despite his injury deserve applause.
As the dust settles on this monumental upset, the wrestling world is now abuzz with speculation and excitement about Atish Todkar’s future. Could he be the new rising star in the world of wrestling? With his impressive victory over an Olympic medalist, he has undoubtedly earned a place in the spotlight and will now advance to the 57kg semi-finals with a confident 7-3 win over Naveen Kumar.
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Complete Indian wrestling squad for Asian Games 2023 announced, Ravi Dahiya unable to make it
Excitement and anticipation filled the air as the Indian wrestling team for the Asian Games 2023 was finally confirmed over the weekend. Selection trials for Greco-Roman and women’s freestyle categories took place at the Kedar Jadhav Hall in New Delhi’s prestigious Indira Gandhi Stadium on Saturday, while the men’s freestyle trials unfolded on Sunday at the same venue.
The Indian Olympic Association’s ad-hoc committee made an unexpected decision by granting direct entries to the Hangzhou Games for Bajrang Punia (men’s 65kg) and Vinesh Phogat (women’s 53kg). Despite this, trials were held in their categories, and the winners earned standby positions for the event.
A total of 18 talented wrestlers, comprising six in each category of Greco-Roman, men’s freestyle, and women’s freestyle, were selected to represent India at the prestigious Hangzhou Asian Games 2023. Additionally, two standbys were picked for the women’s 53kg and men’s 65kg divisions.
Olympic silver medalist Ravi Kumar Dahiya, the wrestling prodigy we all admire, missed the chance to board that flight to Hangzhou! It was a heart-wrenching moment as he battled it out in the men’s 57kg category, only to suffer a stunning first-round exit after being pinned down by the formidable Atish Todkar.
Dahiya fought with every ounce of strength he had, yet Todkar’s brilliance proved too much to handle.
Nevertheless, let’s not forget the immense courage it took for Dahiya to step back onto the mat, ready to give it his all despite the recent knee injury.
The men’s 57kg quota was impressively secured by Aman Sehrawat, an Asian and U23 world champion in the category. He emerged victorious in an intense final against Rahul, who had earlier knocked out the remarkable Atish Todkar in the semi-finals.
In the men’s 86kg category, Olympian Deepak Punia displayed his prowess by securing the berth, fiercely overcoming a spirited Jonty in the final clash.
Another thrilling showdown unfolded in the 65kg category, where Vishal Kaliraman triumphed over Rohit to secure the standby position for the division’s mainstay, Bajrang Punia.
The men’s freestyle section witnessed Yash, Vicky, and Sumit securing their spots in the 74kg, 97kg, and 125kg weight classes, respectively, through determined performances.
The women’s section, however, saw some surprising outcomes, with world championships medallists Sarita Mor and Anshu Malik falling short of making the cut. Sarita Mor managed to defeat Anshu Malik in a close battle during the first round of the women’s 57kg category. Still, she was later defeated in the semi-finals by junior world championships bronze medalist Mansi Ahlawat, who ultimately claimed victory in the division.
In the women’s 53kg division, Antim Panghal, the 2022 U-20 world champion, showcased her dominance and skill by pinning Manju in the final. Despite her impressive performance, she will have to assume the standby role for the formidable Vinesh Phogat.
Pooja Gehlot, a Commonwealth Games bronze medalist, left no room for doubt in the 50kg slot, as she pinned Nirmala Devi in the final, securing her place in the Asian Games squad. Sonam Malik’s victory over Manisha in the 62kg trials earned her a spot, but Olympic medalist Sakshi Malik missed the chance to compete in the trials and will not be part of the Asian Games.
In the women’s 68kg category, another stunning upset occurred when Radhika emerged as the unexpected winner. She not only knocked out the favorite Nisha Dahiya but also triumphed over Priyanka in the final to seal her place in the squad. The 76kg category saw Kiran shine, defeating Divya Kakran in an intense deciding bout.
The Greco-Roman division witnessed Gyanender, a former Asian championships bronze medalist, showcasing his prowess as the top wrestler in the 60kg category. Additionally, familiar faces Neeraj, Naveen, and Narinder Cheema secured their spots in other weight classes.
However, it wasn’t all celebrations, as Sajan Bhanwal, the first-ever Indian Greco-Roman wrestler to win a medal at the U-23 world championships last year, faced disappointment after failing to make the cut in the 77kg category.
Full Squad for Asian Games 2023: Indian wrestling team
Greco-Roman
- Gyanender – 60kg
- Neeraj – 67kg
- Vikash – 77kg
- Sunil Kumar – 87kg
- Narinder Cheema – 97kg
- Naveen – 130kg
Women’s freestyle
- Pooja Gehlot – 50kg
- Vinesh Phogat – 53kg (Antim Panghal as standby)
- Mansi Ahlawat – 57kg
- Sonam Malik – 62kg
- Radhika – 68kg
- Kiran – 76kg
Men’s freestyle
- Aman Sehrawat – 57kg
- Bajrang Punia – 65kg (Vishal Kaliraman as standby)
- Yash – 74kg
- Deepak Punia – 86kg
- Vicky – 97kg
- Sumit – 125kg
With such an extraordinary lineup of talented wrestlers, the Indian contingent is sure to make waves at the Asian Games, leaving fans eagerly awaiting the epic battles that lie ahead in the grand sporting event. The stage is set, and the nation stands united in support of these warriors who will take on the best of the best, determined to bring glory to the nation on the grandest stage of all.
