Three decorated grapplers out to make a statement, again

The Indian wrestling contingent that will take the mat at the Commonwealth Games includes three highly-motivated personalities in Vinesh Phogat, Sushil Kumar and Sakshi Malik. Circumstances have led to these three approaching the Games in a frame of mind different from their teammates.

Vinesh, the 2014 champion in women’s 48 kg freestyle, returns as a potential medallist in the 50kg category.

Vinesh’s inner strength helped her overcome a gut-wrenching knee injury, suffered in the quarterfinals at the Rio Olympic Games, that kept her way from the mat for a long time. The 24-year-old from the Phogat family is a very focused and strong-willed individual who knows the exact way to hone her mind and build up her body for the ordeal of competition.

Vinesh chose to train at Lucknow along with other National campers, seek support from professionals in mental conditioning, recovery and nutrition from Olympic Gold Quest. According to OCG, requirements listed were specific and areas like weight management and mind training were targeted.

A podium finish will heal the scars of surgery post-Rio and make up for a long wait.

Wrestling icon Sushil Kumar is the dominant figure in men’s 74 kg freestyle. He does not need to prove anything, but would look at regaining a bit of the respect, in the aftermath of controversies over the Olympic selection involving Narsing Yadav, followed by the bizarre drama at the Indore Nationals last November where he took gold after three walkovers from the quarterfinals onwards.

The two-time Olympic medallist (Beijing 2008 bronze and London 2012 silver in the 66kg category) has always had his own priorities. In the absence of genuine domestic challengers (strongest rival Narsing serving a four-year suspension), the strongman chose Georgia as the base for preparation.

The nation also expects a medal in the 62kg category from Sakshi Malik, building on the confidence gained from the Rio Games experience in a lower weight category (58kg) where she won bronze. The CWG will be tougher with opponents charged up to prove themselves against an Olympic medallist. She, under the supervision of chief coach Kuldeep Singh, is charting her preparations quietly.

Divya Kakaran (68kg women’s freestyle) was forced to stay away due to a health problem and will be hungry to make up for lost time.