The first ray of sunshine in the happening season of 18th Asian Games, was felt by India when Haryana’s wrestler Bajrang Punia, clinched gold medal in the event of Men’s freestyle Wrestling under the 65 kg category, defeating Japan’s Takatani Daichi on 19th of August. With this, the count on medals in the present edition got triggered.
Bajrang Punia:
Bajrang Punia is a free-style wrestler from Haryana, the land of wrestlers. He found his passion in Wrestling at the very early age of seven. Without family support, it becomes utmost difficult to anyone to attain any achievement. His father stood as the greatest support to him and took all needed efforts so that he can pursue his dream.
Bajrang’s career graph started with the 2013 Asian Wrestling championships in which he fetched bronze medal for the nation. The victory curve started rising up as he won silver medal in 2014 Asian Games. After few ups and downs, it touched its heights when he won the gold medal in 2017 Asian Wrestling championships. Once again he made his country proud by clinching gold in the Asian Games 2018.
Stereotypes on Wrestling:
When Salman enters into the muddy ground of Wrestling and defeats his opponent with breathtaking punches in Sultan , people goes crazy in the theatres. Shows of Dangal, portraying the real life story of how the rocking sisters Geetha Poghat and Babita Poghat took Wrestling championships to another level , by smashing records , went houseful across the country. But on returning to home after these shows, every parent advices their kids to take up any professional course to upbring their career but Wrestling was never suggested
Why Wrestling was never accepted as a profession by most of the people? It is because of the stereotypes built around the sport. Usually wrestlers are viewed as rude people with tough body language which is felt as unpleasant. It needs to focus on building up the body round the year , where lot of efforts are involved. Wrestling was never included in the physical education training conducted in school and graduation levels by academic institutions. Finally arrives a big question on the scope of taking up wrestling as a profession and its remuneration potential.
India and wrestling:
The average mindset of the people makes them to believe that Wrestling can only be taken up by people who are rude and tough natured because of its terrific stunts and ruthless punches leaving the opponent with bloody scars and cuts. But people should be aware that Wrestling involves lot of dedication and super control over the body and the mind simultaneously. Lifestyle of wrestlers will be highly disciplined and organized. Reading the mind of opponents is essential to make a move and it should be done on the spot. These qualities of a wrestler changes him from human to super human.
Background of wrestling in India traces through the long past to the era of our classic epics. Many are unaware that Raavana, the demon king of Ramayana was a great wrestler. Ever amazing characters- Bhima and Dhuryodhana of Mahabharatha were masters in wrestling. Down in the south was a great king called Narasimhavarman of Pallava dynasty who was a marvelous wrestler which earned him the epithet “Maamallan” meaning “Great Wrestler”. The city founded by him in the district of Kancheepuram was named as Maamallapuram after his name. Until the introduction of modern arsenals, wrestling was one of the most important warfare techniques. But on later days it lost its glory.
Rising fame of Wrestling:
Bajrang Punia is a free-style wrestler from Haryana, the land of wrestlers. He found his passion in Wrestling at the very early age of seven. Without family support, it becomes utmost difficult to anyone to attain any achievement. His father stood as the greatest support to him and took all needed efforts so that he can pursue his dream.
Bajrang’s career graph started with the 2013 Asian Wrestling championships in which he fetched bronze medal for the nation. The victory curve started rising up as he won silver medal in 2014 Asian Games. After few ups and downs, it touched its heights when he won the gold medal in 2017 Asian Wrestling championships. Once again he made his country proud by clinching gold in the Asian Games 2018.
Stereotypes on Wrestling:
When Salman enters into the muddy ground of Wrestling and defeats his opponent with breathtaking punches in Sultan , people goes crazy in the theatres. Shows of Dangal, portraying the real life story of how the rocking sisters Geetha Poghat and Babita Poghat took Wrestling championships to another level , by smashing records , went houseful across the country. But on returning to home after these shows, every parent advices their kids to take up any professional course to upbring their career but Wrestling was never suggested
Why Wrestling was never accepted as a profession by most of the people? It is because of the stereotypes built around the sport. Usually wrestlers are viewed as rude people with tough body language which is felt as unpleasant. It needs to focus on building up the body round the year , where lot of efforts are involved. Wrestling was never included in the physical education training conducted in school and graduation levels by academic institutions. Finally arrives a big question on the scope of taking up wrestling as a profession and its remuneration potential.
India and wrestling:
The average mindset of the people makes them to believe that Wrestling can only be taken up by people who are rude and tough natured because of its terrific stunts and ruthless punches leaving the opponent with bloody scars and cuts. But people should be aware that Wrestling involves lot of dedication and super control over the body and the mind simultaneously. Lifestyle of wrestlers will be highly disciplined and organized. Reading the mind of opponents is essential to make a move and it should be done on the spot. These qualities of a wrestler changes him from human to super human.
Background of wrestling in India traces through the long past to the era of our classic epics. Many are unaware that Raavana, the demon king of Ramayana was a great wrestler. Ever amazing characters- Bhima and Dhuryodhana of Mahabharatha were masters in wrestling. Down in the south was a great king called Narasimhavarman of Pallava dynasty who was a marvelous wrestler which earned him the epithet “Maamallan” meaning “Great Wrestler”. The city founded by him in the district of Kancheepuram was named as Maamallapuram after his name. Until the introduction of modern arsenals, wrestling was one of the most important warfare techniques. But on later days it lost its glory.
Rising fame of Wrestling:
The crown of Wrestling in India was adorned by few precious wrestlers with their glittering victory. Udey Chand was the first one to clinch medal in individual World championship in the year 1961. K.D.Jadav won bronze in 1952 Summer Olympics thus marking the entry of Indian wrestlers in Olympics sports. Yogeshwar Dutt brought the prestigious gold in 2014 Commonwealth games. Great wrestler Dara Singh is the one who took wrestling into movies and popularised it.
Geetha Poghat, the winner of gold medal in the 2010 Commonwealth games, proved that women are no lesser than men and made everyone to understand that wrestling is no more a men only sport. The legacy continued when Babita Poghat, sibling of Geetha Poghat, also entered wrestling and started counting medals. Recent sensation Sakshi Malik fetched bronze in the 2016 Olympics, inspired youth of nation towards Wrestling. The list of glory has reached one more milestone with the victory of Bajrang Punia. Way to go India.
WRITTEN BY SOCIAL AUTHOR: PRAABHA KATHAMUTHU
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