Indians To Watch Out For: Narsingh Yadav
Narsingh Yadav has seen plenty of highs and lows throughout his personal life. As the athlete prepares for Rio Olympics, he like all others will be aiming to achieve the greatest high of his career. That is winning the gold medal for country. Yadav, who will compete in the 74kg category, will be under immense pressure to perform, after the Sushil Kumar fiasco.
He might even face more criticism if he fails against the might of Jordan Burroughs or Aniuar Geduev. But his confidence is one only what the greatest of all possess.
Qualification
Narsingh Yadav’s qualification at Rio Olympics is a rather controversial one, not in a sporting sense but largely political. Yadav won a berth for the 74 Kg category by winning the bronze medal at the World Championships in 2015. Wrestling Federation of India remains the sole authority in deciding who to be given the ticket for Rio.
In this case it became a difficult choice as two-time-Olympic medallist Sushil Kumar pleaded his right to represent the nation. However, the Courts ruled in favour of Yadav ensuring him the rightful place he deserves on the plane to Rio.
Earning the Spotlight
With no chances of making it to the 2010 Commonwealth Games due to an injury, Narsingh Yadav did not even feature in the list of probables. However, that was not to be and fate turned over him with a golden opportunity. He was selected as a last minute replacement in the Indian contingent.
Yadav took the golden opportunity literally it seems, as he made the country proud by winning the Gold medal. Since then he has produced overwhelming results at the Asian Championships, World Championships and the Asian Games.
Route to Rio
Narsingh Yadav had a disappointing run at the London Olympics in 2012. He failed to make it to the second round of the competition. However, he has added four more years of experience under his belt and a few medals to his name since then.
The year 2015 has been especially fruitful for the grappler winning the bronze in both the Asian Championships and the World Championships. Also, his 2014 Asian Games bronze adds to his career-outline.
By winning the bronze medal at the World Championships in Las Vegas, he became the first Indian wrestler to qualify by winning a medal at the Championships.
Medal Quest
Narsingh Yadav is a man who has bungled his first attempts often and made good of his second chances. The important second chance at the Olympics is here. His past performance is a certain motivating factor for he is not a person to accept defeat.
He puts a lot of faith on his last minute turn-around to win, he has faltered numerous times but he has also come-through such situations more often than not. The unwanted controversy might have had some impact over the individual regarding the selection criteria, but given his reputation in the past year he only needs to keep up his performances to ensure a medal in Rio. Which colour will the medal be, that is something only time can tell.