Tokyo Olympics – Ravi Dhaiya eyes Olympics Gold: Olympics-bound wrestler Ravi Dahiya, who won the gold medal at the Asian Wrestling Championships 2021 in Almaty, Uzbekistan, is raring to go for the upcoming Games in Tokyo. Ravi is the only Indian male wrestler to retain his Asian Wrestling title this year.
“I would like to thank WFI & Tata Motors for providing me with a personal coach. Kamal Malikov is a huge asset for me. Since the time he has joined my side, my wrestling has improved a lot. Tata Motors support is huge blessing for Indian wrestling. WFI also has been very proactive to provide us with all we require”, declared Dahiya.
Ravi won all three bouts in an emphatic fashion at the Asian Wrestling Championships against Uzbekistan’s Nodirjon Safarov, Palestine’s Ali MM Aburumaila and Iran’s Alireza Nosratolah Sarlak, respectively. Ravi has his eyes set on the Olympics.
“A medal is a medal but my personal ambition is to bring home the gold as it is what India needs the most. My only hope is to do something good for the country! Every Olympics, we are bringing home medals in wrestling since 2008 and the trend will continue this year as well,” Ravi pointed.
Other than Dahiya, Deepak Punia & Bajrang Punia also won Silver medals for India at the Asian Wrestling Championships. Like Dahiya, Deepak & Bajrang also have been provided with personal foreign coaches to prepare for Tokyo Olympics since last 18-24 months.
Deepak Punia trains with former Olympic medallist Murad Gaidrov, while Bajrang is training under the watchful eyes of Shako Bentinidis. The trio of Ravi, Deepak & Bajrang have already qualified for the Olympics and are now aiming for medal at the world’s biggest showpiece.
“The preparations from now onwards are gonna be really intense. Murad by my side, I feel very confident of my chances at the Olympics. Thanks to WFI and Tata Motors for all the support”, said Punia after winning the silver at Asian Wrestling Championships.
It is worth noting that other than 3 male wrestlers, India also has three female wrestlers who have already qualified for Tokyo Olympics. Vinesh Phogat, Anshu Malik & Sonam Malik also have booked their places for Tokyo Olympics.
The other Indian wrestlers still has one last chance to make it to the Olympics via World Olympic Qualifiers in Sofia, Bulgaria in the month of May.
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