Cheema to spearhead Indian challenge in a very tough field

Doha, Dec 8 (UNI) Busan Games Bronze medallist Palwinder Cheema will spearhead seven-member Indian challenge in a very competitive and tough field in the men's wrestling competition starting at the Asian Games here tomorrow.

Apart from that four women grapplers also in the fray and the country can hope few medals in this section from Alka (55 kg) and Geetika Jhakhar (63 kg).

The Indian men, who have only four golds to show in the Asian Games' wrestling competition till date, will be lucky if they retain the Bronze they won last time or add a couple of more bronze in their tally.

The competition is going to be fierce and now with grapplers from Central Asian countries also taking part in full strength, it is going to be arduous task for the Indians of whom six will figure in free-style and one in Greco-Roman.

Indian wrestling is not in its pink of health grappling with issues like infighting in the federation has taken its toll. The 11-member (including four women) squad got the clearance for participation at the last moment and that is why it does not figure in the official information guide of the contingent given to the media only today-when half of the events are over.

Much will depend on the draw and if luck sides with them, the Indian grapplers may get past the first round but if it deserts them when lots are picked, the wrestlers will be finishing their assignment much earlier to enjoy the rest of their stay watching other sports.

Iran, China and Japan along with Central Asian countries will battle it out for the medals in the heavy categories while Korea, China, Afghanistan along with Iraq and erstwhile republics of Soviet Union will be contenders in the light weight categories.

The Indians hope rest solely on old war horse Palwinder Chema and to some extent Anuj Kumar.

In the women's section, if Alka Tomar recreates the form which she displayed in the World Championship in China early this year to finish with a bronze medal and Geetika Jakhar gets a favourable draw, then couple of medals are expected to swell Indian kitty.

The Indian women will face tough challenge from Uzbekistan, China, Kyrghystan and Korea but given the fact that field in this section is not as crowded as in the men, Alka and Geetika have good chance.

The Indian women's display in recent International meets have been quiet impressive and if they can reproduce the form and luck favours them, then situation may not look so bleak for them but same can not be said about the men.

Interestingly, the last time India won the Gold in the Asian games wrestling competition was 20 years ago at the 1986 Seoul Asiad where Kartar Singh claimed it. Kartar infact had the distinction of winning it twice for the country. He first did it in 1978 at Bangkok.

Other Indian Gold medal winners have been Chandgi Ram in Bangkok(1970), Satpal (1982).

Indians given by their present state can only for the crumbs because it will need a miracle for them to hope for the Gold and miracles don't happen every day.

Team Men: (free-style) Vinod kumar (55kg), Yogeshwar Dutt (60 kg), Sushil Kumar(66kg), Narsingh Yadav (74 kg), Anuj Kumar (84 kg), Palwinder Cheema (120kg).

(Greco-Roman): Ravinder singh(60 kg).

Women: Neha Rani(48kg), Alka Tomar(55 kg), Geetika Jakhar(63Kg), Sonika Kaliraman (72kg) UNI HSB DH GC1508