Indian wrestling experienced a stunning turn of events as Ravi Dahiya, the Olympic silver medallist, faced an unexpected defeat during the Asian Games trials. Atish Todkar, a wrestler from Maharashtra, caused a major upset at the Indira Gandhi Stadium in a thrilling 57kg bout, successfully pinning the elite Indian wrestler. The crowd of wrestlers and spectators at the akhadas were left in shock as one of the favourites to win the trials, Ravi Dahiya, lay on the mat after the loss.
Ravi Dahiya, often hailed as a ‘machine’ for his exceptional skills and endurance on the mat, was widely considered the favourite to emerge victorious in the trials. His remarkable track record and previous accomplishments left little doubt about his capabilities. Historically, scoring points against Ravi Dahiya in Indian wrestling had been a tough task, making his defeat by a rare ‘fall’ on Sunday all the more surprising.
Atish Todkar exhibited splendid and breathtaking moves throughout the bout, effectively scoring points and ultimately achieving a rare pin over Dahiya. With nimble footwork and precise take-down manoeuvres, Todkar masterfully evaded Dahiya’s attacks, leaving the seasoned wrestler struggling to counter his opponent’s prowess.
Adding to the challenge, Dahiya had been dealing with injuries to his right knee’s ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) and MCL (medial collateral ligament), which had kept him out of competition this year. These injuries likely affected his performance during the crucial trials, contributing to his unexpected defeat.
The final score stood at 20-8 in favour of Todkar, sealing Ravi Dahiya’s fate and unfortunately ruling him out of the upcoming Asian Games in China. It was a disappointing outcome for the wrestler, who had set high hopes for securing a spot in the prestigious sporting event.
With Ravi Dahiya’s absence, the spotlight now turns to U23 World champion Aman Sehrawat, who remains the favourite to win the trials. As the wrestling community grapples with the unexpected turn of events, all eyes will be on the talented Aman Sehrawat to see if he can rise to the occasion and fill the void left by Dahiya’s absence in the upcoming Asian Games. The competition promises to be fierce, and fans eagerly await the thrilling matches and displays of skill that are synonymous with Indian wrestling.
