Wrestler Hardeep makes Rio cut

NEW DELHI: Sandeep Tulsi Yadav's bronze in 2013 Budapest World Championship was India's last success story for Greco-Roman wrestling. On Sunday , Hardeep wrote a new chapter for the wrestling discipline that is usually given secondary status to freestyle wrestling here, when he booked a berth for the Rio Olympics.
Hardeep reached the final of the 98kg category of the Asian Qualifying tournament in Astana.However, he lost by injury default to China's Di Xiao in the final to settle for the silver. Hardeep becomes only the third Indian wrestler to book a 2016 Games berth after Narsingh Yadav (74kg freestyle) and Yogeshwar Dutt (65kg freestyle).
“We were confident that Hardeep was in contention for Rio berth. We are very happy for him,“ Greco-Roman chief coach Kuldeep told TOI from Astana. Hardeep, who hails from Dhola village in Jindh, had won silver in Asian Championship. The Rio qualification has made the Railways employee only the sixth Indian Greco-Roman wrestler to qualify for the Olympics. Pappu Yadav (1992 Barcelona and 1996 Atlanta), MR Patil (1992 Barcelona), Gurvinder Singh (2000 Sydney) and Mukesh Khatri (2004 Athens) had earlier represented India.
Meanwhile, other Indians including Vinesh Phogat (women's 48kg), Anita (women's 63kg), Somveer (Men's 86kg freestyle), Hitender (men's 125kg freestyle) and Ravinder (Greco-Roman 66kg) failed to impress.
Bharat Kesari dangal from today
A total of 78 wrestlers, including 20 of international stature, have confirmed participation in Bharat Kesari Dangal organised by the Haryana Sports and Youth Affairs Department from March 21-23 in Gurgaon. The winner of the Dangal would get a cash prize of Rs 1crore.