While India has secured only one Olympic medal in women’s wrestling compared to six in men’s freestyle, the upcoming Paris Olympics could see a significant shift in this narrative. A record number of five women wrestlers – Vinesh Phogat (50kg), Antim Panghal (53kg), Anshu Malik (57kg), Nisha Dahiya (68kg), and Reetika Hooda (76kg) – have secured their spots for the Games, representing a surge in female participation. This achievement is even more remarkable considering that three of these wrestlers were at the forefront of a powerful protest against the Wrestling Federation of India and its former president, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, just a year ago on the streets of Delhi.
Vinesh Phogat, a key figure in the protest, stands out as the most experienced member of the team at 29. This will be her third Olympic appearance, having competed previously in Rio de Janeiro and Tokyo. Qualifying for the Olympics is a testament to her resilience, particularly given the tumultuous year she endured, which included leading the protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi and undergoing major surgery for a torn ACL ligament in her knee.
While Phogat boasts significant Olympic experience, the path to success in the women’s 50kg category, where she will compete on August 6th and 7th, is far from easy. She faces a double challenge: first, making weight after competing in the 48kg category at the Rio Olympics and later switching to the 53kg category in 2018. The weight cut is even more arduous due to her recent surgery and recovery. She managed to make weight at the Asian Olympic qualifiers but her path was relatively easier compared to what lies ahead. She needs to prove herself against stronger opponents in the upcoming competitions, including facing tough competition from Japan’s Yui Susaki, China’s Feng Ziqi, and four-time Olympic medallist, Mariya Stadnik.
Anshu Malik, a former world silver medallist, will become one of India’s youngest two-time Olympians at 22. She will be competing in the women’s 57kg category on August 8 and 9, aiming for a medal despite battling a shoulder injury sustained at the Hungary Ranking Series last month. While her training stint in Japan earlier this year yielded positive results, evidenced by her performance at the Asian Olympic qualifier and the Hungary Ranking Series, she still faces formidable opponents like Japan’s Tsugumi Sakurai, USA’s Helen Maroulis, and four-time world medallist Odunayo Adekuoroye of Nigeria, who defeated Anshu in the finals of the 2022 Commonwealth Games.
India’s best medal prospects in Paris likely reside with the youngest members of the squad – Antim Panghal and Reetika Hooda. At 19, Panghal will be the youngest member of the Indian wrestling contingent. Competing in the women’s 53kg category on August 7th and 8th, she is a strong contender for a medal, especially after being seeded and likely avoiding the gold medal favorite, Akari Fujinami of Japan. Panghal is the first Indian woman to win gold at the Junior World Championships, and her path is further eased by the withdrawal of Russian and Belarusian wrestlers, removing tough competitors like Natalia Malysheva and Vanesa Kaladzinskaya from the competition. However, she still faces challenges from Sweden’s Jonna Malmgren, China’s Olympic silver medallist Qianyu Pang, and Ecuador’s Lucia Guzman.
Reetika Hooda, at 21, is another promising contender in the women’s 76kg category on August 10 and 11. She became the first Indian woman to win gold at the U-23 World Championships last year and has since demonstrated impressive consistency, losing only one international match. Notably, she has faced and defeated six out of fifteen potential opponents, including the USA’s Kennedy Blades. Her only loss came against 2023 World bronze medallist Tatiana Renteria of Colombia. While Japan’s Yuka Kagami and Kyrgyzstan’s Aiperi Kyzy are considered the favorites for the top podium spots, Reetika remains a formidable contender.
While the women’s team is brimming with promise, the men’s side has a more challenging outlook. Aman Sehrawat, the sole representative in the men’s 57kg freestyle category on August 8 and 9, will face a tough fight for a podium spot. He won gold at the U-23 World Championships in 2022, but struggles to match the achievements of Tokyo silver medallist Ravi Dahiya. His recent losses to Zelimkhan Abakarov of Albania and Gulomjon Abdullaev of Uzbekistan, both of whom have qualified for Paris, highlight the uphill battle he faces.
Nisha Dahiya in the women’s 68kg category on August 5 and 6, while qualifying for the Olympics, also faces a challenging path to the podium.
The Paris Olympics promises to be a historic event for India’s women wrestlers, as they aim to leave their mark on the global stage. The team’s journey from protest to podium is a testament to their resilience and determination. Their performances will be closely watched, and their potential to achieve groundbreaking success remains a thrilling prospect for the nation.
