Wrestling Stats: Greatest Indian male wrestlers of all-time
Wrestling is one of the most popular and oldest sports in India. It is known in India by many names like Kushti, Dangal, Malla-yuddha, and the list continues. Wrestling is the second-most successful sport when it comes to India’s performance at the Olympics, with the athletes winning seven out of 35 medals in the sport at the Games, Likewise, at the Commonwealth Games, the wrestlers have bagged 49 gold medals for the nation, making it the second-best sport for the nation. India has produced many legendary wrestlers who have time and again brought pride to the nation by winning medals on international platforms. We will now take a look at the greatest Indian men’s wrestlers of all time in terms of their achievements on the big stages.
Greatest Indian male wrestlers of all-time
1. Sushil Kumar
Although Sushil Kumar’s reputation in India has been tarnished due to a murder charge of former wrestler Sagar Dhankar, he is undoubtedly one of the greatest Indian men wrestlers of the country. He is the most accomplished Indian wrestler at the Olympic Games, with one silver and one bronze medal in the games. At the World Championships too, he is the only wrestler to have won a gold medal and become the world champion in 2010.
2. Bajrang Punia
Bajrang Punia is one of the most decorated Indian Men wrestlers, having won multiple medals in World Championships, Asian Games, Asian Championships, Commonwealth Games, and Commonwealth Championship. At the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, Bajrang claimed the bronze medal in the men’s 65 kg as he defeated a Kazakhstani wrestler, Daulet Niyazbekov, by 8-0 to win his first Olympic medal.
3. Yogeshwar Dutt
Yogeshwar Dutt is another athlete who is one of the greatest Indian Men wrestlers of all time. The wrestler clinched the bronze medal for India in the London 2012 Olympics in the men’s 60 kg category and is a two-time Commonwealth Games champion, winning the tournament in 2010 (home games) and 2014. Besides this, he won the Padma Shri award for his accomplishment.
4. K.D. Jadhav
Khashaba Dadasaheb Jadhav, popularly known as KD Jadhav, is a prominent Indian wrestler who is known for winning the first medal for India post its Independence. He captured the bronze medal in the Bantamweight category in the 1952 Helsinki Olympic Games. He was one of the most dominant wrestlers in the world during his time.
5. Ravi Kumar Dahiya
Ravi Kumar Dahiya is one of the best men’s wrestlers from India, considering his achievements on the International circuit. Some of Ravi’s best performances in the sport include an Olympic silver medal, three-time Asian Championships gold medal, and Commonwealth Games gold medal. However, many people believe that this is just the beginning for the wrestler.
Read More-Youngest medalists for India in the history of the Olympics
Wrestling – Greatest Indian male wrestlers of all-time
| Wrestler | Weight Category/ Categories | Achievements |
| Sushil Kumar | 66 kg,74 kg,60 kg | Olympic Games- One Silver and one Bronze; World Championship – One Gold; Commonwealth Games – Three Gold Medals, Asian Games- One; Asian Championship- One Gold, one Silver and Two Gold Medals; Commonwealth Championship – Five gold Medals |
| Bajrang Punia | 65 kg, 61 Kg, 60 kg. | Olympic Games- One Bronze; World Championship- One Silver and Three Gold Medals; Asian Games – One Gold, and one Silver; Commonwealth Games – Two Gold and One silver; Asian Championship- Two Gold and Four silver and two Bronze Medals; Commonwealth Championship -Two Gold medal |
| Yogeshwar Dutt | 60 Kg, 65 Kg, 55 Kg | Olympic Games- One Bronze, Asian Games- One Gold and one Bronze, Commonwealth Games- Two Gold Medals, Asian Championship- Two Gold Medals, Commonwealth Championship- Three Gold & two Silver Medals |
| K.D.Yadav | 54 kg | Olympic Games-One Bronze Medal |
| Ravi Kumar Dahiya | 57 Kg, 61 Kg | Olympic Games- One Silver Medal, World Championships- One Bronze, Asian Championship-Three Gold Medal, Commonwealth Games- One Gold |
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