Haryana girls do it again

Deepender Deswal

Haryanvi girls have done it again. Eight of the 10 wrestlers, who have been selected to represent the country in the Asian Wrestling Championship to be held in China from April 23 to 28, are from Haryana, including five from Hisar district alone.

The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), which conducted the trials for the Asian Championship in Lucknow on March 16, has announced the list of selected grapplers for 10 weight categories. Haryana girls dominate the list, which includes celebrated wrestlers such as Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik and Pooja Dhanda, who are strong medal contenders.

Lalita Sehrawat (55 kg), Pooja Dhanda (57 kg), Manju (59 kg), Kiran (72 kg) and Pooja (76 kg) are all natives of Hisar district. Seema (50 kg) and Sakshi Malik (62 kg) are from Rohtak district while Vinesh Phogat (53 kg) is from Charkhi Dadri district.

Wrestling coaches say that the Asian Championship is an important event in the run up to the Tokyo Olympics to be held next year. Indian women wrestlers have raised medals hopes from the Olympics; Sakshi Malik had won a bronze medal in the 2016 Olympics. Besides, Vinesh is considered a strong medal hope in the Tokyo Olympics. The coaches are also pinning their hopes on some other talented wrestling girls who have been selected for the Asian Championship.

Famed wrestling coach Ishwar Dahiya says that most of the girls, who have been selected for the Asian Championship, are in best of form at present. “Vinesh, Pooja and Sakshi are most likely to return with medals while other players too are in a sparkling touch. I expect a handful of medals from China,” he says. It is an excellent opportunity for the wrestlers to gain exposure and confidence ahead of the big stage of the Olympics, he adds.

Satpal Singh, District Sports Officer (DSO), Hisar, says that it is a moment of proud for everyone that in the squad of 10 wrestlers, five are from Hisar district. Lalita Sehrawat (55 kg), Pooja Dhanda (57 kg), Manju (59 kg), Kiran (72 kg) and Pooja (76 kg) are natives of Hisar district. “These girls play for various organisations where they are employed but it is a matter of great satisfaction that they started wresting in Hisar and reached heights. I am sure that they will win medals for the country,” he adds.

Haryana has emerged as a hub of women wrestling after Mahavir Phogat’s daughters Geeta and Babita won medals in the Commonwealth Games in 2010. Mahavir’s success despite societal hurdles and mindset problems in rural Haryana drew a huge applause and even Bollywood actor Aamir Khan came up with “Dangal” movie to feature the journey of Mahavir and his daughters in the sports arena.