advertisement
A gold rush is anticipated when India's star-studded wrestling line-up begins its campaign at the Commonwealth Games, the opening act featuring no less than defending champion and double-Olympic medallist Sushil Kumar (74kg).
The wrestlers will be in action at the same venue, where the weightlifters signed off a phenomenal campaign on April 9.
Five gold, two silver and two bronze medals is what they departed with and the grapplers would be hoping that they don't just match that but perhaps better the show.
Sushil's build-up to the Games has been far from ideal as he found himself dragged into a selection controversy, when his supporters and those of his rival Parveen Rana came to blows during the trials. It would be interesting how Sushil responds to the pre-event pressure.
Joining Sushil in India's opening day campaigners among men is Rahul Aware. The 57kg category freestyle wrestler is a former gold-medallist at the Commonwealth Championships.
His coach's confidence is not completely off the mark given India's dominance at the Commonwealth level. The only challenge is expected to come from Canada and Nigeria, the latter in the women's draw.
India had claimed 13 medals, five gold, six silver and two bronze at the 2014 Games, just one shy of top-finishers Canada.
Also in action tomorrow is one of the two Phogat sisters in the squad, Babita, the defending gold-medallist in the 53kg category. Her cousin Vinesh will be seen on the last day of the competitions in the 48kg category. She is also the defending champion in her weight category.
Olympic bronze-medallist Sakshi Malik (62kg) will be part of the final day star show. In all, 103 wrestlers from 23 Commonwealth countries will be vying for top honours for the next three days.
(At The Quint, we question everything. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member today.)