Punjab lad shines at world cadet wrestling championship

Karam Prakash
Tribune News Service
Patiala, July 23

Wrestler Jaskaran Singh’s performance at the ongoing World cadet wrestling Championship finally ended Punjab’s three-decade wait for a medal.

Singh, a 16-year-old wrestler from Mandaur village in Patiala, won a silver medal at the World Championship (July 19-25) being held at Budapest, Hungary.

Notably, Randhir Singh was the last wrestler of Punjab to win a medal at the World Cadet Championship in 1987.

Jaskaran, who has been trained by the coaches Saraj Singh and Gurmel Singh at the Rustum-E- Hind Pehwlan Kesar Singh Akahda in Patiala, has won the silver medal in the 60 kg weight category in freestyle wrestling. He defeated four wrestlers one-sided in the run-up to the final bout. In the final, Jaskaran lost to Kamronbek Kadamov of Uzbekistan.

Singh has already won several medals at the National level Championships.

Saraj Singh said, “It was Jaskaran’s first international tournament, and he won a medal. He is a talented young wrestler and will go a long way.”

It has been learned that Jaskaran’s family had moved to Patiala from their village a few years ago — just to support Jaskaran. Ranjeet Singh, Jaskaran’s father, said, “We had shifted to Patiala to support Jaskaran. We are very happy with his performance. We are thankful to his coaches.”

Arjun awardee Palwinder Singh Cheema, incharge of Jaskaran’s akahda, said, “Jaskaran has made everyone proud. The hard work of Jaskaran and his coaches have resulted in a big achievement. I think this performance will inspire other wrestlers.”

Mohinder Singh, General Secretary, Patiala wrestling association, said, “This medal will give a big boost to the wrestling sport in the state. “