Bajrang, Vinesh look to shine at Wrestling Championships

The event begins here on Saturday. The run-up to the Worlds has been spectacular for Bajrang Punia and Vinesh Phogat while decent results have provided a dose of confidence to Divya Kakran. Bajrang triumphed at all four events he competed this season -- Dan Kolov, Asian Championship, Ali Aliev and Yasar Dogu -- and will go into the Championships as the World No.1 and top seed in 65kg.

For Vinesh, the season began in a new weight category as she moved up to 53kg from 50kg. She took some time to settle in her new class but still made five finals, winning three golds – Yasar Dogu, Grand Prix of Spain and Poland Open. While skill is not an issue with Vinesh, holding off strong candidates for six minutes is a big challenge.

The elite competition will help her make an assessment on this count as she eyes a maiden medal at the Worlds. A last-minute elbow injury had forced her to opt out of the Budapest Championships last year. No Indian woman has ever won a gold at the Worlds and Vinesh has it in her to end India’s drought.

Bajrang has been in the form of his life but there is a chink in his armour – the weak leg defence – and it will surely be tested. Only Sushil Kumar has won a World title in men’s freestyle in India’s wrestling history and Bajrang would be keen to end India’s wait for a second medal.

The 25-year-old himself has two World Championship medals but not a gold. His road though is full of challenges, with the presence of Russian Gadzhimurad Rashidov and Bahrain’s Haji Mohammed Ali in his category. Two-time Olympic medallist Sushil has been struggling of late and is returning to the World Championships after a gap of eight years.

He will be watched keenly in the 74kg competition as his relevance is being discussed for some time now. Like Sushil, Rio Olympics bronze medallist Sakshi Malik has been struggling on the international circuit. She has not won a title since her triumph at the 2017 Commonwealth Championships.

This season, ending runner-up at Dan Kolov has been her best show. She had stunned reigning world champion Petra Olli before eventually settling for a silver. Not being able to handle pressure has been her bane for long. Staying defensive in the final moments of the bout has not helped her and she has lost a few bouts from advantageous positions.

Divya Kakran, in contrast, is a bundle of energy and remains relentless throughout her bouts. She has won two gold and as many bronze medals this season and looks hungry for more.