Star Sakshi to lead Indian challenge at Asian C'ships

Rio Olympics bronze-medallist Sakshi Malik will be the star attraction and spearhead the Indian challenge at the Asian Wrestling Championship, starting here on Wednesday.

In the absence of some of the leading grapplers such as Yogeshwar Dutt, Sushil Kumar and the famous Phogat sisters -- Geeta and Babita -- the onus will be on the likes of Sakshi, Olympian Sandeep Tomar and Bajrang Punia to help India improve on its last year's performance at the showpiece event.

India had bagged a total of nine medals including a gold, three silver and five bronze when the tournament was held in Bangkok, Thailand last year. Sandeep (mens' 57kg freestyle) was the lone Indian to have won a yellow metal there.

This is the first major competition for the Indian wrestlers this year and the country will field a strong 24- member team for the Championship with eight each in freestyle,

women and Greco-Roman categories.

During the competition, 112 freestyle, 103 Greco-Roman and 83 female wrestlers will be vying for 24 gold and silver along with 48 bronze medals.

Some of the top grapplers from Iran, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Japan, Korea, China and Mongolia, besides India will be fighting for top honours at the KD Jadhav wrestling arena at the five-day long event, which will conclude on May 14.

While all eyes would be on Sakshi, she may find it a bit tough against some of Asia's best grapplers in women's 58kg freestyle category as this is her first major outing after

the Rio Games.