Rio Olympics 2016: Lack of a boxing federation has hurt the Indian women boxers

The ‘consistent absence of a boxing federation’ in India had its first major casualty with the country’s women boxers putting up a hugely disappointing performance at the 9th AIBA World Championship in Astana, Kazakhstan. The world championship is always the most watched event as there is a lot of stake for boxers across the globe, but this time around this event had ‘extra importance’ as there were Olympic berths up for grabs.

Indian boxing fans’ eyes were on three boxers – MC Mary Kom (51-kg), Laishram Sarita Devi (60-kg) and Pooja Rani (75-kg) – all these were boxing in weight categories where Olympic spots were on offer. What is frustrating about these boxers is that none of them even came close to sealing an Olympic or at least reached the business end of the tournament.

So much was expected from Mary Kom, who made a good beginning winning her first round bout only to send the country in a state of extreme sadness with her exit in the next round losing to a German opponent. Her state-mate Laishram Sarita Devi could not even go past her first round bout against a Belarusian opponent – Pooja Rani (75-kg) did give us some hope by entering the last eight stage only to falter there.

Forget the Olympic aspirations being crushed, even the likes of Saweety Boora (81-kg) and L Sarjubala Devi (45-48-kg)– both silver medalists in the 2014 world championship – were shown the tournament exit door in the quarterfinal stage. Nikhat Zareen (54-kg) did win two bouts and like Seema Punia (81+-kg) bowed out in the last eight stage. Pavitra (64-kg) and Meena Kumari (69-kg) came a cropper crashing out in the first round.

So what explains the poor performance of our women boxers, who have been consistently winning medals at the world championships? For a nation that has never returned empty-handed from this event, it looked in danger of not winning a medal in Astana, but Sonia Lather assured one by reaching the semifinals in the 57-kg category.

The lack of urgency on the part of boxing stakeholders to have a federation in place is clearly responsible for our women boxers’ poor showing in the world championships.
Just having series of sustained training camps is not enough as our boxers were deprived of vital international exposure. The quality of sparring partners in each weight category is also crucial as merely slogging at national camps is never going to be enough. This is where our boxers cannot be faulted – in fact, they have been faring well in whatever international competitions they participate in last few years when the federation logjam was going on.

One just hopes that the stalemate regarding having a federation in place does not hurt the Olympic aspirations of our men boxers or are we going to have one boxing representative (both men and women combined) at the Rio Olympics? If we indeed have just Shiva Thapa at Rio, it will be a sad thing for Indian boxing!

Hockey: Punjab and Sind Bank - Consistent performer in Indian domestic circuit

Punjab and Sind Bank (PSB) likes to quietly go about its business without really hogging the limelight. The bank men have become the team to beat in the Indian domestic circuit. A close look at their performances in recent months will indicate that they are one of the consistent teams around.

The PSB outfit, of course, are riding high, after winning the 6th Hockey India-organised Senior Nationals (B Division) in Saifai, Etawah, Uttar Pradesh. The bank men outduelled Chandigarh 4-3 in a penalty shootout after both teams were locked 1-1 in regulation time.
The PSB side may not probably match teams like Indian Oil Corporation, BPCL, Railways, ONGC and Air India in terms of boasting off too many internationals in their ranks, but they do have a nice blend of talented internationals and domestic talent to do the job for them.

Punjab and Sind Bank features Indian striker Ramandeep Singh, goalkeeper Harjot Singh, fullback Harbir Singh besides Satbir Singh besides some other former internationals – the most prominent being Sarvanjit Singh – who never played for India after being dropped after the disastrous 2012 London Olympic campaign.
“Punjab and Sind Bank has a good team in place. Under coach Rajinder Singhji, PSB has done well. We won a tight final against Chandigarh to win the Senior Nationals (B Division). We had an easy win against Delhi in the semifinal but the final was a tough game for us – this made it four title wins for us in the last eight months or so,” says Sarvanjit Singh, who has played a part in all their wins.

Punjab and Sind Bank won the 120th Beighton Cup Hockey Tournament in Kolkata in October last year, pipping IOC 5-3 in the final after both teams were tied 1-1 in regulation time.
PSB subsequently won the 45th S.N. Vohra’s All-India Gurmit Memorial Hockey Tournament in Chandigarh in November last year, downing Punjab Police 4-0 in the final. The bank men completed a hat-trick of title wins, clinching the 52nd Nehru Senior Hockey Tournament in Delhi in the same month, beating Punjab National Bank 2-1 in the final.

And the Senior Nationals triumph in Saifai was brought one thing to the fore - Punjab and Sind Bank has clearly stolen a march over much-fancied sides like IOC, Air India and BPCL.

Rio Olympics 2016: Is time running out for Sushil Kumar?

Grappler Sushil Kumar looked like whipping up a sympathy wave but his honest efforts to have a trial to decide, who represents India in the men’s freestyle 74kg category at the Rio Olympics appears to have backfired. With the Sports Ministry clearly indicating that it will not interfere in the selection process of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), it does look as if hopes of a trial are fast fading out.

Sushil, on his part, has been categorical that he does not want any ‘favours’ because of his past laurels and only wants a trial. It is, however, difficult to overlook the case of Narsingh Yadav. The Mumbai wrestler has been wrestling in the 74-kg since he entered the senior circuit. One may say how can Narsingh assure an Olympic a medal or even ask about his current form and fitness given the fact that he qualified for the Olympics by winning a bronze at the 2015 World Championships in Las Vegas – that was eight months back and one is not sure what kind of match fitness he has at present.

Sushil to his discredit, has shied away from wrestling tournaments in 74-kg and only took part in 74-kg at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. The fact that Sushil hasn’t wrestled in any international tourneys in his newly-switched weight category is actually going against him in his bid to have trials.

Since the last Olympics, had Sushil grappled consistently in the 74-kg category, then it would have made a strong case for a trial. But his reluctance to only focus on the Olympics and skip events is working against him.

Two back-to-back Olympic medals is a rarity for India at the Olympics when it comes to individual sports. One also feels that the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) could have avoided all the controversy by making its point clear. The WFI did give the impression that the trials will be held for the 74-kg, but now seem to be developing cold feet as they are wary that other wrestlers may demand trials in their respective weight categories.
Sushil is an icon and nobody denies that – but the Sports Ministry’s latest stand has perhaps taken the sting out of all the sympathy he was generating.

The two-fold dilemma for the WFI is – first to allow Narsingh to play in 74-kg for he has won the quota place and has been regularly playing in the same weight category for a long time and second how to deny trials to a man, who gave back-to-back Olympics medals to the country.

Trial or no trial, the WFI could have done its bit to avoid the unwanted controversy when the focus should have been more on the Olympic preparations. It’s not important whether there should be trials or a wrestler could represent the country at Olympics by virtue of winning the quota place- what’s more significant is – can India win a medal in this weight category at Rio.

Wrestlers can win 4-5 medals in Rio: Sandeep Tomar

Eyebrows were raised when Sandeep Tomar was picked in the national team for the men’s 57-kg freestyle category for the Mongolia Olympic Qualifying Tournament ahead of the likes of Amit Kumar Dahiya and Rahul Aware. But the 24-year-old wrestler, who hails from Malakpur village in Baghpat district of Uttar Pradesh, choose to let his wrestling do all the talking as he not only won a bronze medal in Mongolia but also won an Olympic quota place for the country. Sandeep, who is employed with the India Navy, spoke about his highs in Mongolia and much more in an exclusive interview.

Excerpts:

Q You qualified for the men’s 57-kg freestyle category in the Olympic Qualifying Tournament held in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia in the backdrop of the controversy generated over the non-inclusion of Rahul Aware, who had won a bronze medal at the Astana Olympic Qualifying Event – your thoughts

Well, my federation (Wrestling Federation of India) gave me a responsibility to win an Olympic quota for my country at Mongolia, and I was really happy to have made the Olympic cut. 

Q How optimistic you are about your medal-winning chances at the Rio Olympics?

I want to assure all that I will win a medal at Rio. I have been working hard and strictly following what my coaches have been telling me, in terms of working on my shortfalls. I’m confident of pulling off a solid performance in Rio.

Q At the 2016 Olympic Qualifying Event in Mongolia, you had to battle past five rounds before winning an Olympic quota place. How would you sum your overall performance in Mongolia?

All the bouts were good – I beat a Turkish opponent in the first round and then went on to outwrestle a Kyrgyzstan grappler, who is an Asian championship bronze medallist. My semifinal against Azerbaijan’s Mirjalal Hasanzada went right down to the wire – he took the final two points after trailing 0-6 to win the bout as the one who wins the last point goes through. The Ukrainian I beat in the bronze medal play-off bout is a world junior champion. I had to be at my best to qualify for the Rio Olympics.

Q 2016 has been a good year for you so far – besides this Olympic quota place you also won the gold medal at the 2016 Asian Championship in Bangkok.
You could say that – the 2016 Asian Championship was a big tournament for me – I beat North Korea’s Jong Hak-jin to clinch the gold medal. That performance really helped my confidence in the Mongolia Olympic Qualifiers.

Q Traditionally, a wrestler who wins the quota gets to represent the country in that weight category. Your thoughts.

I don’t want to say anything – our federation will take a call on whether to allow the quota winner to play in the Olympics or conduct trials.

Q Who do you think will be biggest contenders in the 57-kg?

Wrestlers from Russia, Georgia, Iran and Mongolia are really strong and I’m expecting a stiff fight from them in Rio.

Q There is a general feeling that there is fierce competition in the men’s freestyle 57-kg category with the likes of Amit Kumar Dahiya and Rahul Aware around. What’s your take?
Robust competition is always good for any wrestler – I think it ensures every wrestler is on their toes with little room for complacency.

Q You work in the Indian Navy – how much of a support system they have been your wrestling career?

Indian Navy has been a pillar of support for me. I really feel grateful to Indian Navy for all the supported provided to me.

Q How many medals do you will think the Indian wrestling contingent can get at the Rio Olympics?

India will be fielding a big contingent – 8 wrestlers – after a long time – we had seven in 2004 Olympics – I’m confident that India can win 4-5 medals in Rio.

Don’t want to be just a participant at Rio Olympics: K Srikanth

Kidambi Srikanth is taking all care to ensure he is ready for the 2016 Rio Olympics. The 23-year-old, who is ranked number twelve in the world, is fully focused on the big-ticket event. Srikanth talks about his preparations and much more in an exclusive interview.

Excerpts:

Q. How are your preparations going on for the 2016 Rio Olympics?

I’m trying to stay focused and do well in the Olympics. I will be playing in either the Australian Open or the Indonesian Open – will soon take a call on that.

Q. You are the lone representative for India in men’s singles at the Rio Olympics.

It would have been nice to have one more Indian men’s singles player at the Olympics. Unfortunately, Parupalli Kashyap got injured and HS Pranoy missed the qualifying mark by a whisker. The onus is on me to make an impact at Rio.

Q. You have beaten most top players in last two years or so – how confident are you of bagging a medal at Rio?
Well, I don’t want to go to the Rio Olympics just as a participant – my focus is to win a medal for the country. I have beaten most top shuttlers in recent times and it is not tough for me to overcome these guys. I was world number 3 for a long while and I know I have the ammunition to overcome any player on any given day. There is no bigger stage than the Olympics and I will be keen to leave a mark in Rio.

Q. How would you sum up your first few months of 2016?

I think things did not go my way in the first two-three months but I have done well in the last four-five weeks. You can’t be winning all the time and losing all the time. You will hit a winning streak or either hit a losing streak. It’s all part of the package of being an international player.

Q. How important it is to stay injury-free going into the Rio Olympics?

Look, I will try to do things in a proper way and hope for the best. You can only control things which are under your control like my body. If injuries happen, there is not much you can do.

Q. Are you trying to avoid playing too many tournaments ahead of the Rio Olympics?

I have been playing too many tournaments over the last twelve months. I had played in the SAF Games as well as the PBL. The coming three months are crucial for me and I don’t want to play in too many events so that I remain fresh at Rio.

Q. Finally, how was your PBL experience?
It was a fantastic experience. I just hope the PBL is held every year without any hiccups – there is no doubt that PBL has given a big boost to Indian badminton.

Rio Olympics 2016: WFI must act quickly on men’s freestyle 74-kg representation

He won gold at the 2010 Commonwealth Games despite being a late-minute entrant and had won a bronze at the 2014 Incheon Asian Games as well. It is seen in Indian wrestling that selection trials are held for each weight category to assess the current form of a grappler before any international event, and when a quota is earned for Olympics, a person who wins the quota invariably gets to play in the Olympics.

The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) is greeted by an ‘unwanted crisis’ – whom to pick in the men’s freestyle 74kg for the 2016 Rio Olympics. The controversy got its birth after Narsingh Yadav won a bronze medal at the 2015 World Championship in Las Vegas, USA last year- thus ensuring the country’s Olympic quota for that weight category.

It was the WFI who had talked about holding trials to pick the country’s representative in the men’s freestyle 74kg. What hasn’t helped matters is that both players are openly talking about it in public domain. Narsingh Yadav has been vocal that he deserves the right to represent India at Rio.

The Mumbai lad has for a long time wrestled in the 74kg, while Sushil Kumar switched to 74kg from 66kg only a few years back. Performance counts and Narsingh has won medals at major international competitions.

Sushil is not saying he should be picked ahead of Narsingh. All he is asking for is a trial between the two.
Narsingh has been harping on this point and to some extent appears justified in saying so.
Sushil hasn’t played in any competitive event since the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games – this may just go against him but make no mistake, this champion wrestler is believed to be training very hard for the Rio Olympics. Narsingh has been categorical that he deserved to book the flight to Rio for the men’s freestyle 74kg.
It may not be easy for the WFI to satisfy the concerns of both wrestlers. A country, which rides high on emotions and past laurels, may just see Sushil have the last laugh – the much-anticipated trial could be the best possible answer to calm the chit-chat going on in public domain.

The WFI must talk to both wrestlers and ask them to refrain from making comments on the issue. The federation, on its part, must take a call sooner than later so that the Olympic preparations of the wrestling contingent remain the main focus area and not the unwanted controversy generated over who gets to represent India at the Rio Olympics in the men’s freestyle 74kg.

Saweety Boora braces for 2016 AIBA World Championship

She oozes bundles of positive energy and often her soft-spoken exterior belies her fierce-in-ring determination. Saweety Boora is just 22 and seems like she has already achieved a lot in the international circuit. For someone, who hogged the limelight when she won the 2009 Senior Nationals, this Hisar lass has been making the most of the opportunities coming her way. Her back-to-back gold medals in the 2013 and 2014 Senior Nationals literally readied her for the big league.

She came up with a blockbuster performance at the 2014 AIBA World Championship in Jeju City, Korea. Almost a non-entity when she headed to Korea for the marquee event, she ensured Indian boxing fans will at least remember her for a long time.

The boxer made her way into the final, where she lost to China’s Yang Xiaoli. A silver medal in her debut World Championship is some achievement – two years passed by and Saweety is hungrier than ever to improve on her silver medal of 2014 and pocket the yellow metal. “I’m training hard for the 2016 AIBA World Championship in Kazakhstan. Hopefully, I will be able to live up to the expectations of everyone,” Saweety says in an informal chat.

Saweety, who works with the Income Tax department as Inspector, knows a podium finish in a world championship is a tough challenge. “Boxers are really strong from most countries, especially China and Kazakhstan. I have to deliver my best to match them,” she puts things in perspective.

The demure boxer is clearly richer with the 2014 world championship experience. Saweety also won a silver medal at the 2015 Asian Confederation Championship in China, again losing to the same Chinese opponent who denied her a gold medal at the 2014 AIBA World Championship.

“She is a tough nut to crack. I have lost to her twice and will have my plans ready for her this time around. She is not an easy boxer to face up to for sure,” Boora says.
Clearly, Indian boxing fans will hope for big things from Saweety.

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Interview with Tanvi Lad: "Funding is crucial to my progress"

Tanvi Lad is an exciting women singles prospect, who is quietly doing the hard yards in pursuit of clambering up the ranking ladder and making the country proud. The Mumbai youngster who capped off a runner-up finish at the 2016 Senior Nationals in Chandigarh, spoke about her game and much more in an exclusive interview.

Excerpts:

Q. Indian badminton has seen the likes of Saina Nehwal and PV Sindhu dominate the women’s singles scene – how do you see yourself as a significant third force in the women’s singles category for India?

Yes indeed! Saina and Sindhu have dominated the women singles scene. However, I always have an inner belief that I too, can compete at the highest level of world badminton and be successful. With passion for my game so strong, I feel that coupled with my strong work ethic, discipline and untiring dedication, and the right exposure in tournaments, it’s only a matter of time before I start performing really well on the world stage.

Q. Do you play doubles regularly – how difficult it is to balance workload for both singles and doubles?

After winning the under-16 doubles national title, I quit playing competitive doubles. I have focussed my energies entirely on singles as both events require specialised training to compete at the highest levels. At the Super Series level, every round is like a final, so recovery is very important and playing two events thus becomes very difficult.

Q. How would you sum up your singles performance in 2016 so far?

 would like to term 2016 as a comeback year after ‘a not so great 2015’. I’m quite happy with the corrections and the improvements that I have made in my game – this was evident in my match vs Saina at the 2016 India Open and subsequently at the National Championships at Chandigarh. So I’m happy with my progress and looking forward to the year ahead.

Q. You lost the 2016 Senior Nationals final to PC Thulasi in Chandigarh – throw light on your overall experience in the nationals?

Overall I had a satisfying performance at the Senior Nationals – three months prior to the event I was working on certain long-pending corrections in footwork and other technical stuff. It is not an easy task at this stage of my career to correct things that I have been used to doing for so many years.
So my performance was a reflection that my progress is happening on the right track, though there still is a lot of work to accomplish. Although unfortunately I lost the Senior Nationals final, I played the right game but made errors as my new game style is not entirely a part of me as yet but I was happy with the overall performance.

Q. You have a bit of healthy rivalry with PC Thulasi – both are employed with PSPB as well. Your thoughts.

Yes, me and Thulasi have similar game styles and even our work ethic is very similar. We have played some gruelling matches with our longest being 1 hour 35 mins!! We share a healthy rivalry and respect each other.

Q. At the 2015 Tata Open International Challenge, you upset reigning World Junior champion Jin Wei Goh of Malaysia – must be carrying fond memories of that win.

Yes, that was a good win!! It was the first round and she had been in great form that year winning the world juniors and some events in Europe but I went in and played a great match – I was hitting the lines well and defending well as well - she probably couldn’t read my game.

Q. The 2013 Swiss International Tournament was your maiden international appearance in singles – how special was it for you?

The Swiss International Challenge is a special memory, especially the semifinal against the Japanese opponent which was a gruelling hard fought win! The medal ceremony was special too. Although it was a challenge event, the national anthem was played at the time of awarding the medal, which was quite emotional!!

Q. Where do you want to be in terms of rankings by 2016-end?

I aim to break into top 25 in the next one year but funding for me is very crucial. In order to achieve this target I need to go out and compete in at least 12-15 events. This is an expensive affair and a major concern for me at the moment. I need a good sponsor to further my aspirations.

Q. What improvement areas you want to focus on your game?

I’m working on certain technical corrections - footwork and racket carriage and overall becoming a lot more proactive rather than reactive on court.

Q. Tell us a bit how you started playing badminton – all coaches you played under and their duration and place?

I started playing with Hufrish Nariman at Bombay gym – I won my 1st Inter-school title under her. I trained from the age of 13-19 years with Uday Pawar and won the Junior Nationals under him.
Moved to the national camp in Hyderabad in 2012 and trained at the Gopichand academy under chief national coach Pullela Gopichand Sir and have been there for the past 3 years…I had some great wins like the 2014 Bahrain International Challenge 2014, runners-up at 2013 Swiss International, bronze medal at the Asian games and 2014 Uber Cup 2014 – all are special memories.
I have been undergoing a short corrective stint with Tom John in Bangalore over the last three months. At each stage of my journey as a player, each coach has done their very best for me and contributed to the player I’m today! I owe everything to them!

Q. How do you unwind when you are not playing badminton?

I enjoy indulging in retail therapy, swimming and listening to music helps me destress and relaxing with family and friends is a true indulgence that I rarely get to enjoy!

The 2016 AIBA World Championship will not just be about snapping up Olympic spots – for many it will be much more than. India have fond memories of the 2014 AIBA World Championship held in Jeju City, Korea, where they bagged two silver medals via Sarjubala Devi (48 kg) and Saweety Bora (81kg).

A lot will be expected from the Indian women boxers as they sweat it out at the ongoing national camp for the upcoming 2016 AIBA World Championship to be held in Astana, Kazakhstan from May 19-27.  Indian women pugilists will be looking to leave a big impression in the nine-day showpiece event where they are expected to not just focus on attaining a podium finish but sealing Olympic berths for three available weight categories.

Iconic MC Mary Kom will, of course, be the focus of all attention as she will make a bid to qualify for the Olympics which is set to be her boxing swansong. L Sarita Devi and Pooja Rani will have to bring their best to the ring if they are harbouring hopes of taking the ring in Rio.

Both Sarjubala and Saweety are talented youngsters and it will not be much of a surprise if they churn out an encore of 2014.

Indian women boxers have always done well at the AIBA World Championship – barring the 2010 edition, where they won only one medal, the country’s boxers have always made a mark. “All our boxers are working hard – let’s hope for the best,” says Indian women boxing coach Anoop Kumar.
The Indian women boxing coach believes past performances count for nothing. “Our boxers have done well in the last World Championships but we have to understand one thing – competition is fiercer than ever as every country is working hard to corner glory in the ring,” he says.
Anoop is bullish about India improving on their haul of two silver medals at the last edition. “Our girls have the potential to surprise any opponent but we hope to come home with a rich haul of medals,” he signs off.
Of course, there are reasons to be optimistic – after all, the boxing contingent has the likes of Mary Kom, Sarita, Sarjubala and Saweety to turn it on at Astana. 

Interview with wrestler Hardeep Singh: "Will strive to live up to expectations in Rio"

It’s not often that India have a representation in greco-roman wrestling at the Olympics. And the 2016 Rio Olympics will feature talented Haryana grappler Hardeep Singh in the 98-kg category.
Hardeep is the first Indian greco-roman wrestler to qualify for the Olympics in twelve years, and the first one to make the cut in the heavyweight category. The Railway employee, who started as a freestyle wrestler before switching to greco-roman wrestling, spoke about the upcoming Rio Olympics and much more in an exclusive interview.

Excerpts:


Q. How does it feel to qualify for the 2016 Rio Olympics considering the fact that you are the country’s first greco-roman wrestler to represent the country after a gap of twelve years?

Bahut acha laga (Felt really good) when I reached the final of the 98-kg in the Asian Qualifying Tournament in Astana, Kazakhstan as it ensured my Olympic berth. My confidence is really high and I hope to build on this momentum at Rio. Our other greco-roman wrestlers fought really hard and lost narrowly and it is not that I only performed well. I know expectations will be high and I will strive to live up to them.

Q. You had bagged a silver medal at the 2016 Asian Wrestling Championship in Bangkok, where you lost to Iran’s Mehdi Aliyari in the 98-kg final.
Winning a silver medal at Bangkok really gave me a lot of self-belief – it made me feel that I can win on the big stage. Of course, I could not bring my A-game in the final and lost comprehensively to Mehdi, but the runners-up finish was good for my confidence ahead of the Olympic qualifiers in Astana.

Q. At the 2016 Asian Qualifying Tournament in Astana, you outwrestled opponents from Turkemistan and Kazakhstan en route to the final.

Both bouts were pretty one-sided. The semifinal against Margulan Assembekov was a tactical fought bout as I worked on tiring him out - it worked and I won easily.

Q. You did not take the ring for the final and conceded it to China’s Xiao Di owing to an elbow injury.

I had sustained this elbow injury during the 2016 Asian Wrestling Championship in Bangkok and some niggles were still there in Astana. I aggravated it more during my semifinal bout and my coaches keeping the Olympics in mind decided I concede the final bout.

Q. Greco-roman wrestling hasn’t seen much success in India unlike freestyle wrestling – you are only the sixth greco-roman grappler to qualify for the Olympics. Do you think your Olympic qualifying feat will serve as a big boost to the sport in the country?

I really hope so as I feel that there is lot of potential for greco-roman wrestling in India. I’m confident more greco-roman grapplers will burst on to the scene and reap laurels for the country.

Q. You have dominated the national scene as well in the greco-roman 98-kg category – it must have helped you when you hit the international stage.

Of course, it helps in a big way as there is nothing like winning. I have won the gold medal at the senior nationals for three consecutive years in greco-roman 98-kg – 2013, 2014 and 2015.

Q. You started off as freestyle wrestler early in your career but switched to greco-roman after the 2009 Junior Nationals.

I did start my wrestling career in freestyle category but in 2009 my coach Ranbir Singh asked me to switch to greco-roman and there has not been any looking back after that.

Q. Tell us a bit about your family?
I hail from Dohla village of Haryana's Jind district – my father is a farmer and I have one sister and one younger brother - both are married.

Q. You are 26 – you have got your younger brother married – when will you tie the knot?

Olympics is my focus area – I don’t think I will get married at least for next three-four years (grins).

Rio Olympics 2016: Indian weightlifters exude hope before the games

It was one final opportunity for the Indian weightlifters to make a mark at the 2016 Asian Weightlifting Championships in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. And it was a final opportunity simply because it was the last Olympic qualifying event with only the African, Oceania and Pan American Championships being held in the months of May and June.

A lot was at stake for the Indian weightlifting in Tashkent and they did not disappoint bagging two Olympic quotas in both the men’s and women’s section. The Indian women comprising the likes of Sanjita Chanu and Mirabai Chanu put up a dogged performance logging 100 points in the women’s team event to finish third behind Vietnam and Uzbekistan.

The Indian men accumulated 129 points to finish sixth in the men’s team event. The qualification rules stipulate that countries must finish in the top-seven to make the Olympic cut. 


The two Olympic berths must be a welcome relief for the Indian weightlifting contingent after the country’s lifters had turned in a disappointing performance at the 2015 World Weightlifting Championship in Houston, USA.

Indian weightlifting head coach Vijay Sharma had expressed his optimism before heading for Uzbekistan that the team would finish in the top seven and the lifters just did that.

Sharma, a former national-level weightlifter, is relieved to see the country bag two Olympic berths. “I’m happy to see our weightlifters bag two Olympic quotas. It augurs well for the future. I was confident that both our men and women teams will do well in Tashkent and they performed well. Our women team finished third which is a creditable achievement,” he says with elation.

The Indian Weightlifting Federation (IWLF) will conduct trials across all weight divisions to select two lifters -- one man and one woman -- to represent the country at the 2016 Rio Olympics.

The federation will decide on the date of the trials later. “Our boys and girls will take a break and gear up for the nationals. The trials will be competitive as Olympic berths are up for grabs. We want our lifters to be in the podium finish, although it will not be easy,” Sarma quips.
One hopes that the Indian lifters makes the most of the two Olympic quota places and makes the country proud in Rio.