Bajrang, Sushil ready to rumble as India eye gold rush
Japan’s Daichi Takatani, who defeated Bajrang in the quarterfinal of the Asian Championship, would be the biggest hurdle. Bajrang’s mastery over the gutwrench technique, especially while attacking the legs, makes him a strong contender.
Sushil’s presence in the Games Village has added to the squad’s confidence. His Asian Games preparations were dealt a severe blow when he lost to a Polish wrestler in the first round of the Tbilisi Grand Prix.
Sushil’s reflexes may have slowed down considerably and injuries in the last four years may have had a negative impact on him, but the country’s most famous wrestler isn’t willing to give up. He won gold at the Gold Coast to complete a hat-trick of gold medals at the Commonwealth Games, but the field here is quite strong.
Wrestlers like Mongolian Ganzorigiin Mandakhnaran and Muslim Evloev of Kyrgyzstan post the biggest challenge. His showing at the Jakarta Games would be a good indicator of his prowess before the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Vinesh Phogat, who also won gold at the Gold Coast Games, too is expecting a podium finish. Bronze medallist at the 2014 Asian Games, Phogat faces strong challenges from China’s Sun Yanan and Yuki Irei of Japan in the 50kg category.
Rio Olympics bronze medallist Sakshi Malik is another medal prospect. Known for her doubleleg attacks, Sakshi will face her biggest hurdle in Purevdorjiin Orkhon of Mongolia, the reigning world champion in 62kg.
With 11 international medals under her belt, including two gold, Sakshi would be gunning for her maiden Asian Games medal.