Olympic medallists Sakshi Malik and Aman Sehrawat, along with former world championship bronze-winner Geeta Phogat, on Monday announced that they would soon launch a Wrestling Champions Super League (WCSL) for the country’s budding grapplers but the national federation has refused to sanction the initiative. Sakshi, along with Bajrang Punia and Vinesh Phogat, had spearheaded the wrestlers’ protest against ousted Wrestling Federation of India President Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who was accused of sexual harassment.

Sakshi has, however, distanced herself from the latter two after they took the political plunge by joining Congress ahead of next month’s Haryana assembly elections.

She won the 58kg bronze in 2016 Rio Olympics, and announced the project with Phogat, a 55kg bronze winner in 2012 World Championships through their social media handles. The two, while announcing that they had Paris Games bronze-winner Aman on board, did not provide any details.

Phogat told PTI that she is hopeful of support from the federation and the government.

“Sakshi and I have been planning this League for long. Soon it will take a final shape. We have not yet spoken to the WFI but it would be great if WFI and government support us. It will be the first league that will be operated only by the players,” Phogat said.

“We are doing it for the players, for their benefit. That is the idea and vision, so no one should have any problem with it. It’s a proud moment for us. We won’t stop anyone from getting involved in it, if WFI or government comes on board, even better. We have not yet spoken to them.

“There will be international wrestlers, and coaches involved, so it should help our junior wrestlers. They will get good exposure.” The WFI said it would not give its sanction to the league.

“We won’t approve it. We are reviving our pro wrestling league and hopefully we will have it soon. The wrestlers are free to do their own league, they can promote the game, but we won’t be linked with that,” WFI President Sanjay Singh said.

Asked if there will be prize money involved, and about the format and venue for the event, Phogat said, “You will have to wait a bit to know all this. We will share the details very soon.” Sakshi, who retired from wrestling after Sharan Singh’s close aide Sanjay Singh became WFI head, said she hopes to give back to the sport through this initiative.

“The only way to repay your trust is to dedicate our sporting talent, experience, grit & success to the service of the sport. The 2 of us have therefore come together to create the Wrestling Champions Super League (WCSL),” she posted on X.

“The WCSL, a world class international league, will skill & strengthen our wrestlers to dominate the sport globally by taking on the world’s best in a hyper competitive, expertly supervised environment with best-in-class support systems in place.” She also said that Sehrawat, who won bronze in 57kg in Paris Olympics, also “shares our vision and is joining us on this journey.” “This league is a very commendable initiative which will help Indian wrestling greatly and therefore I want to be a part of it and support it fully,” Aman was uoted as saying by Sakshi.

Daughter of noted wrestling coach Mahavir, Geeta is a cousin of Vinesh, who will be contesting from Julana constituency during the Haryana elections.

Sakshi said the aim of the league is to build a culture of sustained high performance in the sport in the country.

“While WCSL is focused on wrestling, it is inspired also by our overwhelming urge to build a culture of sustained high performance in Indian sport & motivate every Indian to experience the joy of playing.

“Although founded by the 2 of us, the WCSL is a national mission committed to respecting & working in close partnership with all stakeholders. Winning, afterall, is a team sport. Our hearts beat only for India, for Indian wrestling & for Indian sport. Come, let’s build the sporting India of our dreams mil ke, ek saath!”

India’s ace Olympian Manu Bhaker arrived at the Kaun Banega Crorepati stage after her twin-medal heroics in the Paris Olympics 2024. Manu returned home from Paris with two bronze medals to her name and has since been in the media and social media spotlight. On Thursday, Manu was spotted at the sets of KBC, with fellow Olympian Aman Sehrawat, who also bagged a bronze medal in the Paris Olympics. On the hot seat, Manu had some intriguing conversations with Amitabh Bachchan, including the technique she uses while shooting at the big stage.

During the chatter on the show, Amitabh Bachchan said that he would always wonder why shooters take such big gaps between shots before being explained the logic by his son Abhishek.

“I used to wonder why shooters waited so long after taking a shot. I couldn’t grasp it until Abhishek Bachchan explained that they’re controlling their breathing and heart rate; that’s why they take their time.”

Aaj aa rahi hain Desh ki shaan Manu Bhaker KBC par sabka dil jeetne! Let’s cheer for olympic medalist #ManuBhaker

Dekhiye #KaunBanegaCrorepati #OlympiansSpecial, aaj raat 9 baje sirf #SonyEntertainmentTelevision par.@SrBachchan #ManuBhakerOnKBC #KBConSonyTV #KBC16 #KBC2024 pic.twitter.com/LFguMhzEin

— sonytv (@SonyTV) September 5, 2024

Manu also shed light on the topic, explaining why breathing techniques to calm down the heart is so important between shots.

“At the start, having a strong foundation is crucial, and that applies to everything. Many people think shooting is simple — just pick up the pistol and aim, but it’s much more complex than that. During a match, our heart rate accelerates, and we must remain composed, even if we’re feeling anxious.

“Controlling that anxiousness or nervousness takes time and practice. To maintain focus, I rely heavily on yoga, Surya Namaskar, and meditation. I follow this routine with strict discipline. Additionally, I use a breathing technique with a 4:8 ratio: inhaling for four seconds and exhaling for eight seconds. Mastering this through practice helps normalise my heart rate. During matches, when nerves make our hands shake while aiming, this breathing exercise helps me stay calm and focused,” she revealed.

Aman Sehrawat with Dilip Joshi© Instagram

After his playful ‘choorma banter’ with javelin star Neeraj Chopra, Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared another lighthearted moment, this time with Paris Olympics bronze medal-winning wrestler Aman Sehrawat. During an interaction with the Indian Olympic contingent at his residence, PM Modi congratulated Aman on becoming India’s youngest Olympic medallist. The Prime Minister, with a broad smile, then asked Aman if he had any of his favourite food after returning from Paris. The 21-year-old Haryana native smiled and replied, “I haven’t gone home yet, sir.”

PM Modi quipped, “Humein bolte, hum banwa dete kuch” (You should’ve told us; we could’ve made something for you!)

Aman, in his typical Haryanvi accent, responded with simplicity, “Ghar jake choorma toh khaange hi (Once I’m home, I’ll definitely have choorma).

Sehrawat, who lost his parents at a tender age of 10, trains and resides at New Delhi’s Chhatrasal Stadium, defeated Puerto Rico’s Darian Toi Cruz 13-5 to win the bronze medal at the Champ-de-Mars Arena and extended India’s wrestling medal streak at the Olympics, which began at the Beijing Games in 2008.

He joined Sushil Kumar, Yogeshwar Dutt, Sakshi Malik, Ravi Dahiya, and Bajrang Punia as India’s Olympics medallist wrestlers.

Earlier, PM Modi had a candid moment with silver medallist Neeraj Chopra during an interaction with athletes ahead of their departure for the Paris Games.

During their humorous banter, PM Modi joked, “Mera choorma abhi tak aaya nahi” (I haven’t received my churma yet), sparking laughter all around.

With a shy smile, Neeraj replied, “Is baar Haryana wala choorma khilayenge sir, pichli baar Delhi ka cheeni wala khaya tha (This time I will treat you with churma from Haryana; last time we had the sugary one from Delhi).”

The Prime Minister eagerly expressed his craving for homemade churma, saying, “Mujhe tumhari maa ke haath ka choorma khana hai” (I want to savour churma made by your mother).

Later, Neeraj’s mother Saroj Devi promised PM Modi that she will send a special ‘choorma’ (a popular delicacy from Haryana and Rajasthan) for him.

Aman Sehrawat won wrestling bronze medal at the Paris Olympics 2024© AFP

New Delhi:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has congratulated Indian grappler Aman Sehrawat for clinching the bronze medal in the men’s freestyle 57 kg wrestling event at the Paris Olympics.

Mr Sehrawat, making his Olympic debut, secured the medal with a 13-5 victory over Puerto Rico’s Darian Cruz on Friday, marking India’s first wrestling medal at the Paris 2024 Games.

PM Modi praised him for his “dedication and perseverance” in a post on X.

More pride thanks to our wrestlers!

Congratulations to Aman Sehrawat for winning the Bronze Medal in the Men’s Freestyle 57 kg at the Paris Olympics. His dedication and perseverance are clearly evident. The entire nation celebrates this remarkable feat.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 9, 2024

“More pride thanks to our wrestlers! Congratulations to Aman Sehrawat for winning the Bronze Medal in the Men’s Freestyle 57 kg at the Paris Olympics. His dedication and perseverance are clearly evident. The entire nation celebrates this remarkable feat,” PM Modi wrote.

Union Minister of Home Affairs Amit Shah also lauded Mr Sehrawat for his achievement.

“Congratulations, Aman! With your remarkable perseverance and strength, you have secured the Bronze Medal for India in the wrestling match at the #ParisOlympics2024. The nation is proud of your achievement,” Amit Shah wrote in a post on X.

Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari expressed his pride in Mr Sehrawat’s accomplishment.

“Heartfelt congratulations to Aman Sehrawat for clinching the Bronze Medal in Men’s Freestyle 57 kg at the Paris Olympics! Your grit and determination have brought glory to on the world stage. You’ve made the nation proud with your remarkable achievement, inspiring countless others to chase their dreams,” Nitin Gadkari said in a post on X.

During the match, the Puerto Rican grappler initially gained the lead by securing a point with a single-leg hold. However, Mr Sehrawat came back strong, scoring points by targeting Darian Cruz’s shoulders.

After Darian Cruz took the lead with a two-point move, Mr Sehrawat regained control. With 37 seconds left, he secured additional points and won the bout with technical superiority as Mr Cruz attempted a desperate move and conceded another point.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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