Yogeshwar to spearhead India, eyes on Narsingh

With an aim to bag as many Olympic quota places as possible, star grappler Yogeshwar Dutt will spearhead the Indian attack even as all eyes will be on Narsingh Yadav’s performance in the absence of a more fancied Sushil Kumar at the World Wrestling Championship here.

This World Championship has assumed significance as it also doubles up as the first qualification tournament for the 2016 Rio Olympics. 

Injury to Sushil has handed Narsingh a chance to fight here for an Olympic berth and undoubtedly the 26-year-old wrestler will generate maximum curiosity among the Indian fans when he takes the mat in Men’s 74kg Freestyle category on the last day of the competition, on September 12. 

In Sushil’s almost year-long absence, Narsingh has not just represented India in 74kg category but has also won a few medals at various competitions.

The top six positions in each category here will ensure an Olympic berth for a country and Narsingh has a good chance of grabbing a berth for India if not a podium finish.

Though India’s best medal bet will still be London Olympic bronze medallist Yogeshwar, who will compete in the 65kg Freestyle division.

Yogeshwar has so far managed to win nothing less than gold at whichever tournament he has participated since climbing up the weight division from 60kg to 65kg after the international governing body FILA re-jigged the weight classes at the end of 2013. 

The men’s freestyle category will also have the likes of Amit Kumar and Mausam Khatri, who according to chief national  coach Kuldeep Malik have a good chance of reserving Olympic berths.