Showing posts with label narsingh yadav. Show all posts
Showing posts with label narsingh yadav. Show all posts
Jan 29, 2011
Oct 15, 2010
NARSINGH YADAV: WRESTLING WITH FAME
Rinkita Gurav, Mid Day
Narsingh Yadav is shy and reticent not quite what you would expect from a 22-year-old basking in the glory of a gold medal win at the Commonwealth Games in Delhi.
The wrestler, who struck gold in the 74 kg freestyle wrestling, said that the large crowd waiting to welcome him at the Mumbai airport on Tuesday surprised him pleasantly.
But when the MiD DAY team met him on Wednesday morning training at the Sports Authority of India complex in Kandivli, Yadav was trying to avoid meeting people, except those concerning his work.
A big crowd waited to meet with the champion wrestler but Yadav made time only to meet some children and autograph for them.
When asked why he was avoiding people, he replied that he was not.
"I don't mind meeting anybody, but I am just trying to stay away from places where there are big crowds and I would just get pulled and dragged around," he clarified.
One place where he appeared to be at his most comfortable was while playing throw ball with his fellow mates in the morning.
His coach, Jagmal Singh (50) said that while Yadav had been always been a shy person, he was never rude to anyone.
"The attention that he is getting from his well-wishers is exciting for him but it also upsets him when people act rowdy and pull him by his hands or clothes for a picture.
I am sure that he would not mind posing for a picture or giving an autograph or even talking to the fans for a while," Singh added.
Yadav, a junior ticket checker with the Indian Railways, realises that his life is changing rapidly as he transcends from being the boy-next-door to a gold medal-winning athlete.
In the past few days, he has been flooded with calls of invitations by politicians as well as other people wanting to get a piece of him.
But after his return to Mumbai, he had only a simple get-together with his family to celebrate his medal.
Although he has won accolades in wrestling at all levels all over the world, his win at the Games has completely changed the world around him.
"There are many competitions that I have won but I have never received so much attention.
All the fame and appreciation I am receiving now is immense and it makes me very happy. But I am not getting any time to rest," Yadav said.
READ MORE HERE
Narsingh Yadav is shy and reticent not quite what you would expect from a 22-year-old basking in the glory of a gold medal win at the Commonwealth Games in Delhi.
The wrestler, who struck gold in the 74 kg freestyle wrestling, said that the large crowd waiting to welcome him at the Mumbai airport on Tuesday surprised him pleasantly.
But when the MiD DAY team met him on Wednesday morning training at the Sports Authority of India complex in Kandivli, Yadav was trying to avoid meeting people, except those concerning his work.
A big crowd waited to meet with the champion wrestler but Yadav made time only to meet some children and autograph for them.
When asked why he was avoiding people, he replied that he was not.
"I don't mind meeting anybody, but I am just trying to stay away from places where there are big crowds and I would just get pulled and dragged around," he clarified.
One place where he appeared to be at his most comfortable was while playing throw ball with his fellow mates in the morning.
His coach, Jagmal Singh (50) said that while Yadav had been always been a shy person, he was never rude to anyone.
"The attention that he is getting from his well-wishers is exciting for him but it also upsets him when people act rowdy and pull him by his hands or clothes for a picture.
I am sure that he would not mind posing for a picture or giving an autograph or even talking to the fans for a while," Singh added.
Yadav, a junior ticket checker with the Indian Railways, realises that his life is changing rapidly as he transcends from being the boy-next-door to a gold medal-winning athlete.
In the past few days, he has been flooded with calls of invitations by politicians as well as other people wanting to get a piece of him.
But after his return to Mumbai, he had only a simple get-together with his family to celebrate his medal.
Although he has won accolades in wrestling at all levels all over the world, his win at the Games has completely changed the world around him.
"There are many competitions that I have won but I have never received so much attention.
All the fame and appreciation I am receiving now is immense and it makes me very happy. But I am not getting any time to rest," Yadav said.
READ MORE HERE
Oct 10, 2010
NARSINGH YADAV DOES INDIA PROUD
Mumbai, Oct 10 (IANS) Striking gold at the Commonwealth Games was the aim of wrestler Narsingh Yadav, who underwent a right knee surgery less than two months ago, his coach said Sunday.
Yadav, who won India's 24th gold medal, defeated South African Richard Brian Addinall 4-0 Saturday in the freestyle 74 kg category.
'Like most wrestlers, Narsingh had broken his knee. He had to undergo a surgery two months back and we were not sure if he would be able to play. But he made it,' said his elated coach Jagmal Singh.
It was his will to strike gold at the Commonwealth Games that kept him going, Singh said.
Yadav, 23, has been training under Singh since he was 13. He is a resident of suburban Jogeshwari in Mumbai.
Son of a humble milk supplier Pancham, Yadav thanked his parents and elder brother for their support.
'My father and brother were both wrestlers. Hence, it was easy for them to understand my passion towards the sport. My mother Durgavati also respected my desire,' Narsingh told IANS.
Singh said: 'Narsingh's brother also trained under me. He was a good wrestler. But now that he has a job in the Indian Railways, he has been paying less attention to the sport.'
Reminiscing about how he was brought back to the team, Yadav said he had lost in the final round of the qualification event.
'I did win various wrestling championships but had lost in the final round of the qualifying event to Sumit Kumar.
'But Sumit Kumar was disqualified along with three other wrestlers after the doping test controversy. That's when I was told to come back to the team and I happily did,' he said.
Life had given him a second chance and Yadav was wise enough to make the most of it. 'I am glad I was representing India in the CWG. I had decided to win a medal and I am glad I won gold,' he said.
Yadav, a junior ticket checker with the Indian Railways, has been given a cash prize of Rs.20 lakh by the central government.
'I have heard people say that the Maharashtra government has also declared a cash prize for Narsingh but I will have to ascertain once I go back to Mumbai,' Singh said.
Yadav, who won India's 24th gold medal, defeated South African Richard Brian Addinall 4-0 Saturday in the freestyle 74 kg category.
It was his will to strike gold at the Commonwealth Games that kept him going, Singh said.
Yadav, 23, has been training under Singh since he was 13. He is a resident of suburban Jogeshwari in Mumbai.
Son of a humble milk supplier Pancham, Yadav thanked his parents and elder brother for their support.
'My father and brother were both wrestlers. Hence, it was easy for them to understand my passion towards the sport. My mother Durgavati also respected my desire,' Narsingh told IANS.
Singh said: 'Narsingh's brother also trained under me. He was a good wrestler. But now that he has a job in the Indian Railways, he has been paying less attention to the sport.'
Reminiscing about how he was brought back to the team, Yadav said he had lost in the final round of the qualification event.
'I did win various wrestling championships but had lost in the final round of the qualifying event to Sumit Kumar.
'But Sumit Kumar was disqualified along with three other wrestlers after the doping test controversy. That's when I was told to come back to the team and I happily did,' he said.
Life had given him a second chance and Yadav was wise enough to make the most of it. 'I am glad I was representing India in the CWG. I had decided to win a medal and I am glad I won gold,' he said.
Yadav, a junior ticket checker with the Indian Railways, has been given a cash prize of Rs.20 lakh by the central government.
'I have heard people say that the Maharashtra government has also declared a cash prize for Narsingh but I will have to ascertain once I go back to Mumbai,' Singh said.
Discovering India's Wrestling Roots
Tom Fordyce, BBC
It is just after dawn inside a walled compound in Old Delhi. To one side is a shed-sized temple to the Hindu god Hanuman, surrounded by shady jamun trees; beyond that the sandy banks of the grey-green greasy Yamuna river. In the middle, inside a squat concrete bunker, a group of stocky, sweating Indians are throwing each other around like rag dolls.
This is the Chandgi Ram wrestling club, the Delhi equivalent to the Thomas a Beckett boxing gym on London's Old Kent Road or Detroit's Kronk gym, a legendary production line that has produced some of the country's most decorated fighters.
I've left the spruced-up stadiums and endless security checkpoints behind to find the roots and reasons behind something that's been intriguing me all week: India's love of the grapple game.
Forget the hockey, or the tennis, certainly the athletics and even the shooting. The most popular sport at these Commonwealths so far has been wrestling; the most eagerly-anticipated appearance that of pugilistic pin-up boy and world champion Sushil Kumar on Sunday, seven days after he handed the Queen's baton to Prince Charles at the opening ceremony.
Even with the wooden shutters pulled back, the main room is steaming. In the middle of it all, forearms like hawsers and ears as mangled as a prop-forward's, is Jagdish Kaliraman - five-time Indian champion, proud proprietor and central figure in one of India's key wrestling dynasties.
"My father was a legendary figure in the world of wrestling," he tells me, keeping an eye on his charges are they back-flip and handspring around the yellow, foam-padded floor. "He went to Olympic Games, won lots of international competitions and then founded this club. He used to say, 'God has sent me for one purpose: wrestling.'"
As the early-morning sun creeps through the open windows, a group of around 20 athletes sprint shuttle runs from wall to wall, running first, then rolling head over heels, then scampering on all fours. Chests heaving, they split into pairs and leapfrog each other across the room.
"Wrestling is a traditional pastime in India, going back to ancient time - to the Ramayana and the Mahabharat, back to the Hindu gods," Jagdish tells me. "We have a great history of wrestling and a great appreciation of it."
READ MORE HERE
It is just after dawn inside a walled compound in Old Delhi. To one side is a shed-sized temple to the Hindu god Hanuman, surrounded by shady jamun trees; beyond that the sandy banks of the grey-green greasy Yamuna river. In the middle, inside a squat concrete bunker, a group of stocky, sweating Indians are throwing each other around like rag dolls.
This is the Chandgi Ram wrestling club, the Delhi equivalent to the Thomas a Beckett boxing gym on London's Old Kent Road or Detroit's Kronk gym, a legendary production line that has produced some of the country's most decorated fighters.
I've left the spruced-up stadiums and endless security checkpoints behind to find the roots and reasons behind something that's been intriguing me all week: India's love of the grapple game.
Forget the hockey, or the tennis, certainly the athletics and even the shooting. The most popular sport at these Commonwealths so far has been wrestling; the most eagerly-anticipated appearance that of pugilistic pin-up boy and world champion Sushil Kumar on Sunday, seven days after he handed the Queen's baton to Prince Charles at the opening ceremony.
Even with the wooden shutters pulled back, the main room is steaming. In the middle of it all, forearms like hawsers and ears as mangled as a prop-forward's, is Jagdish Kaliraman - five-time Indian champion, proud proprietor and central figure in one of India's key wrestling dynasties.
"My father was a legendary figure in the world of wrestling," he tells me, keeping an eye on his charges are they back-flip and handspring around the yellow, foam-padded floor. "He went to Olympic Games, won lots of international competitions and then founded this club. He used to say, 'God has sent me for one purpose: wrestling.'"
As the early-morning sun creeps through the open windows, a group of around 20 athletes sprint shuttle runs from wall to wall, running first, then rolling head over heels, then scampering on all fours. Chests heaving, they split into pairs and leapfrog each other across the room.
"Wrestling is a traditional pastime in India, going back to ancient time - to the Ramayana and the Mahabharat, back to the Hindu gods," Jagdish tells me. "We have a great history of wrestling and a great appreciation of it."
READ MORE HERE
YOGESHWAR DUTT, NARSINGH YADAV WIN WRESTLING GOLD
Narsingh, Dutt keep golden run going
From Josey Samuel, New Delhi, Oct 9, DHNS:
Such was the excitement at the wrestling arena that young and old alike danced on the floor of Indira Gandhi Sports Complex as Indian grapplers picked up two more gold medals on Saturday
Boosted by the presence of AICC general secretary Rahul Gandhi, freestyle grapplers Yogeshwar Dutt and Narsingh Panch Yadav swelled the hosts’ tally of yellow metal in the wrestling competitions to nine.
Comeback man Yogeshwar swept aside Canadian James Mancini 9-2 to pocket the 60kg title while Narsingh edged out South African Richard Bri Addinall 4-0 to clinch the 74kg crown.
“I am happy to win the gold and really hungry to win more gold medals for the country,” said Yogeshwar, who was out of the sport for year and a half due to a knee injury.
In front of an almost packed house, cheering for the home heroes every second, Yogeshwar went into lead in the initial seconds with minor takedowns of two and one point each.
With three points in his kitty, the 28-year-old Commonwealth Championship gold medallist caved in for a brief period of time. Pouncing on the opportunity, Mancini opened his account, claiming one point by a takedown.
In the second period, the Delhi-based wrestler, who won bronze in the Doha Asian Games and also entered the Beijing Olympic quarterfinals, mixed aggression with caution to increase the margin to 6-1.
Though Yogeshwar’s attempt to pull his opponent’s leg landed him in trouble, the Indian recovered in time but conceded an easy point. Yogeshwar, however, completed the formalities with three more points.
Wrapping himself in the national flag, Yogeshwar took a victory lap before exiting to the gallery to meet Gandhi as the stadium erupted in a deafening cheer.Then, it was the turn of Narsingh to prove his mettle. Narsingh, who had scored a hard-fought 3-1 semifinal win over Evan Macdonald of Canada, again played a tough bout in the title round.
The Maharashtrian scored two points each in either period to emerge champion.
The only other gold decided on the day was won by Sinvie Boltic of Nigeria in the 96kg after he secured the final against Korey Jarvis of Canada on better classification points.
Earlier, in the morning’s 96kg category elimination round, India’s Anil Mann went down to eventual bronze medallist Rattigan of England 2-3.
Results: 96kg: Sinvie Boltic (Ngr) bt Korey Jarvis (Can) 3-3 (won by 3-1 classification points). Bronze medal match: Leon Rattigan (Eng) bt Umar M (Pak) 4-1.
74kg: Narsingh Panch Yadav (Ind) bt Richard Bri Addinall (SA) 4-0. Bronze medal match: Evan Macdonald (Can) bt Ali M (Pak) 8-5.
60kg: Yogeshwar Dutt (Ind) bt James Mancini (Can) 9-2. Bronze medal match: Sasha Madyarchyk (Eng) bt Amas Danial (Ngr) 5-6 (Madyarchyk won by fall).
Dutt's the way. Aha! Aha!
Leslie Xavier, Times of India
NEW DELHI: Yogeshwar Dutt is not new to struggle. Each time he's faced an adversary, whether on the mat or in life, the rugged wrestler from Haryana has been able to tap deep into hidden mental or physical reserves to come out on top.
Just a year back, his grit and perseverance got him through a career-threatening knee injury which kept him out for more than a year. Yogesh never flinched. He banked on his willpower to drag himself through the pain of rehab, and slowly got back on top of his game.
And on Saturday he pulled out those hidden reserves of strength again, this time on the exposed ankles of his helpless final opponent - James Mancini of Canada - to win gold in the 60kg freestyle category at the Indira Gandhi Sports Complex.
As a deafening roar echoed from the crowd, the wrestler, tired limbs magically springing back to life, went about his victory lap. He ran around the three mats and then went on to the stands, meeting close friends and family and even a new-found acquaintance in politician Rahul Gandhi.
"I was really low when the injury happened. It is just my will power and training that has helped me overcome that bad phase. Even last month I had a bad outing at the World championship. I had to get over that disappointment and refocus to win gold here. Now again I will refocus, right from tomorrow, to win gold at the Asian Games," said Yogesh, before resuming his unending victory lap.
And just when decibel levels had dipped, things got louder. This time it was Narsingh Panch Yadav who triggered the extra bit of punch, muscling his way past Richard Brian Addinall of South Africa to win gold in the 74kg category.
Yadav came into the team as replacement for Sumit, who was suspended for a doping violation. The Mumbai wrestler grabbed his opponents, as well as the opportunity, with both hands to add the Commonwealth Games gold to his ever-increasing kitty, which already has the Asian and Commonwealth championship titles.
Yadav played a safe game against Addinall, keeping the South African in a shoulder hold for most part of the bout before using sudden bursts of power and pace for pushouts.
From Josey Samuel, New Delhi, Oct 9, DHNS:
Such was the excitement at the wrestling arena that young and old alike danced on the floor of Indira Gandhi Sports Complex as Indian grapplers picked up two more gold medals on Saturday
Boosted by the presence of AICC general secretary Rahul Gandhi, freestyle grapplers Yogeshwar Dutt and Narsingh Panch Yadav swelled the hosts’ tally of yellow metal in the wrestling competitions to nine.
Comeback man Yogeshwar swept aside Canadian James Mancini 9-2 to pocket the 60kg title while Narsingh edged out South African Richard Bri Addinall 4-0 to clinch the 74kg crown.
“I am happy to win the gold and really hungry to win more gold medals for the country,” said Yogeshwar, who was out of the sport for year and a half due to a knee injury.
In front of an almost packed house, cheering for the home heroes every second, Yogeshwar went into lead in the initial seconds with minor takedowns of two and one point each.
With three points in his kitty, the 28-year-old Commonwealth Championship gold medallist caved in for a brief period of time. Pouncing on the opportunity, Mancini opened his account, claiming one point by a takedown.
In the second period, the Delhi-based wrestler, who won bronze in the Doha Asian Games and also entered the Beijing Olympic quarterfinals, mixed aggression with caution to increase the margin to 6-1.
Though Yogeshwar’s attempt to pull his opponent’s leg landed him in trouble, the Indian recovered in time but conceded an easy point. Yogeshwar, however, completed the formalities with three more points.
Wrapping himself in the national flag, Yogeshwar took a victory lap before exiting to the gallery to meet Gandhi as the stadium erupted in a deafening cheer.Then, it was the turn of Narsingh to prove his mettle. Narsingh, who had scored a hard-fought 3-1 semifinal win over Evan Macdonald of Canada, again played a tough bout in the title round.
The Maharashtrian scored two points each in either period to emerge champion.
The only other gold decided on the day was won by Sinvie Boltic of Nigeria in the 96kg after he secured the final against Korey Jarvis of Canada on better classification points.
Earlier, in the morning’s 96kg category elimination round, India’s Anil Mann went down to eventual bronze medallist Rattigan of England 2-3.
Results: 96kg: Sinvie Boltic (Ngr) bt Korey Jarvis (Can) 3-3 (won by 3-1 classification points). Bronze medal match: Leon Rattigan (Eng) bt Umar M (Pak) 4-1.
74kg: Narsingh Panch Yadav (Ind) bt Richard Bri Addinall (SA) 4-0. Bronze medal match: Evan Macdonald (Can) bt Ali M (Pak) 8-5.
60kg: Yogeshwar Dutt (Ind) bt James Mancini (Can) 9-2. Bronze medal match: Sasha Madyarchyk (Eng) bt Amas Danial (Ngr) 5-6 (Madyarchyk won by fall).
Dutt's the way. Aha! Aha!
Leslie Xavier, Times of India
NEW DELHI: Yogeshwar Dutt is not new to struggle. Each time he's faced an adversary, whether on the mat or in life, the rugged wrestler from Haryana has been able to tap deep into hidden mental or physical reserves to come out on top.
Just a year back, his grit and perseverance got him through a career-threatening knee injury which kept him out for more than a year. Yogesh never flinched. He banked on his willpower to drag himself through the pain of rehab, and slowly got back on top of his game.
And on Saturday he pulled out those hidden reserves of strength again, this time on the exposed ankles of his helpless final opponent - James Mancini of Canada - to win gold in the 60kg freestyle category at the Indira Gandhi Sports Complex.
As a deafening roar echoed from the crowd, the wrestler, tired limbs magically springing back to life, went about his victory lap. He ran around the three mats and then went on to the stands, meeting close friends and family and even a new-found acquaintance in politician Rahul Gandhi.
"I was really low when the injury happened. It is just my will power and training that has helped me overcome that bad phase. Even last month I had a bad outing at the World championship. I had to get over that disappointment and refocus to win gold here. Now again I will refocus, right from tomorrow, to win gold at the Asian Games," said Yogesh, before resuming his unending victory lap.
And just when decibel levels had dipped, things got louder. This time it was Narsingh Panch Yadav who triggered the extra bit of punch, muscling his way past Richard Brian Addinall of South Africa to win gold in the 74kg category.
Yadav came into the team as replacement for Sumit, who was suspended for a doping violation. The Mumbai wrestler grabbed his opponents, as well as the opportunity, with both hands to add the Commonwealth Games gold to his ever-increasing kitty, which already has the Asian and Commonwealth championship titles.
Yadav played a safe game against Addinall, keeping the South African in a shoulder hold for most part of the bout before using sudden bursts of power and pace for pushouts.
May 16, 2010
Sons of Soil Wrestle to Glory
MUMBAI: The nondescript cattlesheds along S V Road in Jogeshwari have reasons to cheer an old community hand. Even as an elderly cyclist passes by with milk cans, the neighbourhood buzzes with news of his son Narsing Yadav having won a gold medal at the 23rd Senior Asian Wrestling Championships underway in New Delhi.
Yadav had cut his teeth at an 'akhada' or wrestling pit near the 'tabelas' that were started nearly 100 years ago in 1913. In the age of modern gymnasia, which promise quick-fix body-shaping solutions for a king's ransom, the 'akhada' is a country cousin, where poor boys work out for a nominal fee. "Our youngest recruit is 10 years old," says 'pehelwan' Bharat Yadav, guruji to his students, who trained Narsing many years ago.
Homegrown Indian wrestling has had to fight for its place in the sun. The passing of venerated trainer Guru Hanuman left a void that many swear will never be filled. Yet, every decade has thrown up one champion who did the native sport proud. Dara Singh and his brother Randhawa became movie stars given their achievements in the sand pit. Of late, the exploits of Sushil Kumar have brought a welcome revival and wrestlers hope the coming Commonwealth Games will focus the sport in public consciousness.
Indeed, 'akhadas' in Parel, Matunga, Kandivli and Jogeshwari have spawned national champions, who have gone on to beat international wrestlers on several occasions.
At Jogeshwari, 20-odd boys wearing red or yellow loincloths and caked in mud are buffering at various stages of muscular buildup. Unlike individualistic workstations in a gym, the 'akhada' has a mud pit, which strengthens friendships in a strange way. When two 'pehelwans' are done landing audible blows, they briskly pick up fistfuls of mud and smear them over their opponent. "The soil allows better grip on a sweaty body, but apart from that, it has been treated with oil and turmeric to prevent wounds from festering," said wrestler Mahendra Yadav.
It turns out that this deceptively small pit greedily soaked up oil worth Rs 25,000. "Yes, we were surprised to see it drink up that much," laughs sponsor and Congress MP Sanjay Nirupam. For 12 years, the MP has been conducting an all-India wrestling championship.
Were it not for public sector companies like the Indian Railways, which employs wrestlers and makes them work for just three hours so that they may return to sport, most would find it difficult to sustain their passion.
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