Yogeshwar predicts a rich haul

Last month, Yogeshwar Dutt conquered mental demons and the challenge of competing in a different weight category with a gold medal show in Italy.

Now comfortable in the new weight category of 65 kg, the Olympic bronze medallist says he is confident of repeating his success of last edition at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games.

Yogeshwar was among the three freestyle wrestlers who won gold when CWG was staged on the home soil in 2010. In total, the wrestlers had fetched 19 medals to give a significant push to country’s medal tally.

In the last four years, Yogeshwar has further raised his profile by adding an Olympic bronze to his silverware and along with double Olympic medallists Sushil Kumar also delves in mentoring the youngsters. Upbeat as ever, he promises an even better show in freestyle this time as the team prepared to depart for Glasgow on Tuesday morning.

“The preparations have gone very well and we have worked very hard during our camp at Sonepat. We are confident we will win even more medals in freestyle than last time,” Yogeshwar told Deccan Herald.

“I have worked on adding power in my game. The gold in Italy where I competed in a new weight category for the first time has given me a lot of confidence. I have a fond memory of the last edition where I won gold in front of my family, home crowd and friends. I want to think of nothing less than gold this time too and make my country proud."

The scrapping of Greco-Roman category has dented Indian wrestling’s gold rush in the tournament but Yogeshwar felt its absence would inspire the freestyle wrestlers to do their best.

Greco-Roman wrestlers scooped seven medals in 2010, including four gold, one silver and two bronze medals. Freestyle fetched India six medals while women wrestlers added another six.

“With no Greco-Roman wrestling, we will lose some medals this time. But we will ensure that all of us (freestyle wrestlers) do even better than last time,” he said.

“We have a strong team of experienced and young wrestlers. Sushil and I are there as seniors. Among youngsters, Amit Dahiya and Bajrang have won medals at the World Championships and Asian Championships. Pawan Kumar and Satywart Kadian are also very talented.” National coach Vinod Kumar said they were confident of winning at least five gold medals. “We are expecting medals from all the seven wrestlers but at least five gold should be there.”

The women’s wrestling team coach Kuldeep Singh was expecting five medals from his wards.
“The competition is not so tough in CWG, so are hoping to win at least 5-6 medals including three golds. We have seasoned players like Babita and Geetika Jakhar and promising youngster in Vinesh,” he said.

Para athletes team

A six-member team of para athletes, including  will be part of the Indian contingent for the Glasgow Commonwealth Games.


The team: Athletics: Jaideep (discus throw). Powerlifting: Farman Basha (upto 72kg), Sakina Khatun (upto 61kg), Rajinder Singh Rahelu (from 72kg). Swimming: Sharath Gayakwad (200M individual medley), Prashanta Karmakar (100M freestyle). Coaches: Satyanarayana (athletics), Sadananda Malashetti (powerlifting), Rajib Dey (swimming). Manager: K R Shankar Iyer.