His stature will make double Olympic medallist Sushil Kumar a big draw on the wrestling mat of the 18th Asian Games.
India, which recently sent its wrestlers on an useful exposure trip to Turkey, may have selected a strong squad (comprising Worlds, Olympics and Asian medallists) for the Jakarta event, but Sushil’s presence is bound to dwarf his compatriots.
The former World champion is returning to the Asiad after the 2006 Doha Games, where he won a bronze. Some experts believe that the champion wrestler squandered golden opportunities by skipping the multi-sport event in 2010 and 2014.
On several occasions, Sushil has foregone important competitions due to injuries. It will be keenly watched whether the 35-year-old ageing icon gives the continental event a miss for the third consecutive time.
If he stays on for what may be his final appearance in the Asiad, Sushil, who is currently training at his favourite destination in Georgia, is likely to face tough challenge from the wrestlers of Iran, Japan, Mongolia, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan in the men’s 74kg freestyle class.
Punia in great form
Olympic medallist and last Asian Games’ lone gold medallist Yogeshwar Dutt’s protégé Bajrang Punia (65kg) has proved himself time and again in the World championships, Asian Games, Asian championships and Commonwealth Games.
The 24-year-old, who clinched a silver four years ago, has been in the form of his life and has ensured podium finishes in almost all events for the last one-and-a-half years. He will be one of the biggest medal hopes for the country.
Olympian and former Asian champion Sandeep Tomar (57kg) seems to be in fine form as well and can end up in the medal bracket.
Pawan Kumar (86kg), old warhorse Mausam Khatri (97kg) and Sumit Malik (125kg) have an outside chance.
Phogat in the race
Among women, two-time Commonwealth Games champion and Incheon Asian Games bronze medallist Vinesh Phogat (50kg) will be in the race for a medal. She will have to see off Japanese and Chinese wrestlers to realise her dream.
In a formidable field, consisting of competitors from Mongolia, China and Japan, Olympics bronze medallist Sakshi Malik (62kg) will rely on her resilience to live up to expectations.
Pooja Dhanda (57kg) and young faces Pinki (53kg) and Divya Kakran (68kg) can spring surprises.
Harpreet Singh (87kg) and Hardeep Singh (98kg) are among the Greco Roman wrestlers, who have the capability to make the country proud.
India’s sparkling show of 12 medals, with each participant returning a medal, in the Commonwealth Games in April is not a benchmark for the Asian Games (where overall two weights have been dropped and three styles have been allotted six weights apiece).
The country had secured five medals in the sport, including three bronze in Incheon. Unless the Indians have lot of luck, the overall number may not alter significantly in Jakarta.
