India’s young wrestling sensation, 19-year-old Udit, showcased his prowess by clinching the silver medal in the men’s 57kg category at the Asian Wrestling Championships 2024 held in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. Alongside him, Abhimanyu and Vicky secured bronze medals in their respective weight divisions, elevating India’s medal tally to three on the opening day of the competition.
In a series of gripping matches, Udit demonstrated his skill and determination. He overcame formidable opponents on his path to the final, defeating Ebrahim Mahdi Khari of Iran, Almaz Smanbekov of Kyrgyzstan, and Kim Kum Hyok of the Democratic Republic of Korea. However, in the gold medal bout, he faced tough competition from Japan’s Kento Yumiya, ultimately settling for silver after a narrow 5-4 defeat.
Abhimanyu, competing in the men’s 70kg category, displayed resilience throughout the tournament. After a dominant victory over Lee Seungchul of the Republic of Korea in the quarter-finals, he faced a setback in the semi-finals against Japan’s Yoshinosuke Aoyagi. Undeterred, Abhimanyu staged a remarkable comeback in the bronze medal match, securing a thrilling 6-5 victory over Uzbekistan’s Begijon Kuldashev.
Vicky, competing in the men’s 97kg category, showcased his skill and determination on the mat. Despite a formidable challenge from Kazakhstan’s Rizabek Aitmukhan in the semi-finals, Vicky displayed tenacity in the bronze medal match, defeating Kyrgyzstan’s Andrei Aronov with a convincing 10-1 score.
Although Rohit and Parvinder Singh couldn’t secure podium finishes in their respective weight categories, their commendable performances added to India’s spirited showing at the championships.
Looking ahead, Indian wrestlers Akash Dahiya, Yash Tushir, Sandeep Mann, Vinay, and Anirudh Kumar are set to compete in the remaining weight categories, aiming to further bolster India’s medal tally on Friday.
The Asian Wrestling Championships 2024 has already showcased India’s promising talent and competitive spirit on the international stage, reaffirming the nation’s growing prominence in the sport.
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