"Wrestling is without doubt the number one" - Yogeshwar Dutt hopeful of Indian wrestlers to claim medals at Paris Olympics 2024
Yogeshwar Dutt, the London Olympics 2012 bronze medal winner, has shown his optimism for the wrestling division of India at the 2024 Paris Olympics. In an interview with PTI, Yogeshwar Dutt said that the Indian wrestlers will again shine at the big event and will add to the medal tally for the country.
“A lot will depend on the draw. If India gets a favourable draw, then I am expecting three medals,” Yogeshwar Dutt said during the interview with PTI on the sidelines of the AIFF event.
He also mentioned that in the last four Olympics, Indian wrestlers have shined and won medals for the country.
“In the last four consecutive Olympics, we got medals from Wrestling. So I hope, wish & pray for the fifth time in a row, that wrestling will bring a medal for the nation. I wish all the wrestlers all the very best. I think they are well-prepared,” said Yogeshwar during the interview.
Yogeshwar Dutt mentioned that Wrestling is the next best sport in the Olympics after Hockey for India.
“After hockey, wrestling has given India the most number of medals. It has given seven medals ahead of all other Olympic sports. Wrestling is without doubt the number one individual Olympic sport for India,” Dutt added.
Dutt thinks the Indian wrestlers are good enough to win some medals during the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Vinesh Phogat will lead India's Wrestling Team at Paris Olympics in 2024
Indian Wrestling team will be led by Vinesh Phogat during the Paris Olympics 2024 event. Phogat, who comes from a family of wrestlers, will compete in the women’s 50 kg freestyle category and is unseeded for the summer games. She is a two-time Olympian and hopes to win a medal for the country this year.
With Vinesh, India will have Antim Panghal (women’s 53 kg) and Aman Sehrawat (men’s 57 kg). The duo have been seeded fourth and sixth, respectively, in their weight class.
India also has Anshu Malik (women’s 57 kg), Nisha Dahiya (women’s 68 kg) and Reetika Hooda (women’s 76 kg), who will be unseeded athletes.
India has produced some of the best wrestlers in the world who have won medals for the country in the past. Indian Wrestling has also gone through turmoil in the recent past, and winning medals for the country will be a big motivation for the young wrestlers.