Commonwealth Games 2022: Top Indian wrestlers who can bring medals for the country

The world is gearing up for the 23^rd edition of the Commonwealth Games as the grand event is just five days away. India have had a really successful run at the event, winning 503 medals so far at the event. Out of all the sports, Wrestling has fetched the third most medals for India at the Commonwealth Games over the years.

Advertisment

In fact, the first medal ever by India at the event was won in wrestling in the second edition of the Games. The Indian wrestlers have never let the nation down at the Commonwealth Games as they’ve won 102 medals representing their nation at the event.

In the 2018 edition of the Games in Gold Coast, Australia, all 12 members of the Indian contingent returned with a medal. And the wrestlers are aiming to replicate a similar performance this year as well.There are strong medal contenders in both men’s and women’s teams

1. Ravi Kumar Dahiya (Men’s 57kg)

Advertisment

Ravi Kumar Dahiya: (Image Source: Twitter)

The Olympic silver medalist Ravi Kumar Dahiya is the top contender for a medal from India. His performance at the Tokyo Olympics and his past laurels make him one of the strongest contenders for a gold medal in his category. Dahiya will face stiff competition from Nigeria’s Ebikewenimo Welson who has three commonwealth medals to his name.

2. Bajrang Punia (Men’s 65 Kg)

Advertisment

Bajrang Punia: (Image Source: Twitter)

Bajrang Punia won the bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics last year and is expected to bag a Gold at the upcoming Commonwealth Games. Punia is the only Indian wrestler to win three medals at the Wrestling Championships. He will look to add another feather to his cap at the grand event.

3. Vinesh Phogat (Women’s 53 KG)

Vinesh Phogat: (Image Source: Twitter)

Vinesh Phogat won successive golds at the 2014 and 2018 editions of the Games and will be looking to complete a hattrick at the upcoming edition. She was also the first woman wrestler to win gold at Commonwealth and Asian Games.

4. Anshu Malik (Women’s 57 kg)

Anshu Malik: (Image Source: Twitter)

Anshu Malik will be looking to make amends for her forgettable outing at the Olympics last year. This would be the wrestler’s first appearance at the Commonwealth Games.

5. Deepak Punia (Men’s 86kg)

Deepak Punia: (Image Source: Twitter)

The 23-year-old Deepak Punia is another strong contender for a medal from India. He will face stiff competition from CWG bronze medallist Syerus Eslami from England and Nigeria’s Ekerekeme Agiomor.

6. Sakshi Malik (Women’s 62kg)

Sakshi Malik: (Image Source: Twitter)

Sakshi Malik became an overnight sensation when she won a bronze medal at the Rio Olympics in 2016. She will be eager to improve on her bronze medal performance in the 2018 edition of the event.