Wrestlers grappling for gold at the Commonwealth Games

It needed just 2 medals, Sushil's bronze in Beijing Olympic and another one by Ramesh Kumar in the World Wrestling Championships 2009, Herning to perk up wrestling once again in India. Some out-of-the-skin performances by juniors, and of late, women wrestlers have only been adding to it. In a sport where decades can pass before something noteworthy comes up, such a successful streak has made Indian wrestlers an buoyant bunch.

Nineteen gold medals (7 in freestyle, 6 in Greeco Roman and 6 by women wrestlers) in 2009 Commonwealth Senior Championships, Jalandhar is a firm indication that India have the talent to shine on big stages. To follow was 2 gold, 1 silver and 4 bronze in the 2010 Senior Asian Wrestling Championship, Delhi and suddenly India were rubbing shoulders with China, Iran and Korea, big boys of the wrestling world.

So, can we expect 2010 Commonwealth Games an extension of that winning streak? Yes, in all probability. For one, the grapplers have trained like never before and with just a month to go, they are at the peak of their form. Secondly, the home crowd will be really behind them. Besides, history also gives them an edge - India have invariably done well in the CWG. The tally so far is 23 gold, 24 silver and 11 bronze, their best being in 1970 (5-3-1) and 1974 (4-5-1). Then, the opposition at the CWG won't be world class, in most categories.

Thus, the feeling in the fraternity is that 2010 Games may even turn out to be India's best ever.

Freestyle wrestling has always been India's strong point and Yogeshwar Dutt (60kg), Sushil Kumar (66kg) and Sumit (74 kg) are expected to shine. 2002 CWG silver medallist Anuj Kumar (84kg) is hoping to better his record this time. Chief coach (freestyle), Jagminder Singh said, "For the last two years, we have consciously worked on the grapplers' technique. They have power but fall short of technique. Special emphasis has been given to ground wrestling because top grapplers score most of the points here. Also, we have strengthened our counterattacking skills." Meanwhile, freestyle coach Vladimer Mestvitishvili is working on the technique of tackling the opponent's feet.

However, it's Greco-Roman wrestling that has found its feet in India recently and Rajinder Kumar (55kg), Ravinder Singh (60kg), Sunil Kumar (66kg) and Dharmendar Dalal (120 kg) hold a lot of promise.

The wrestlers themselves say that frequent foreign trips in the last two years have changed their approach to the sport. They have been to Spain, US, Canada, Georgia, Ukraine, Belarus, Cuba and France for training and competitions and that is showing in their performance. However, the Senior World Championship, Moscow (Sept 6-12) will be an acid test for them, much bigger than the CWG. "If we can do well there, CWG preparations will take care of itself," said Dutt.

Hargobind Singh, chief coach, Greco-Roman, added: " With three big events - Senior Worlds, CWG and Asian Games - lined up in the coming months, the boys are primed and determined to prove India's might."

Coming to women's wrestling, it will be making its debut in the Delhi Games. It's good tiding for the hosts as the Indian contingent is certain of grabbing a few gold medals. Babita Kumari (51 kg), Geeta (55), Alka Tomar (59) are India's best bets. Babita and Geeta's gold in Commonwealth Senior Championships in Jalandhar (December 19-21, 2009) is a testimony to India's growing muscle power. Alka Tomar's bronze in the Asian championship 2010 is in keeping with her consistent graph.