This Day That Year: Indian wrestler creates history at Olympics

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Despite losing the finals, Sushil Kumar became the first Indian wrestler to win back to back individual medals at the London Olympics played at the Excel Arena on 12th August 2012.

In the 66 kg freestyle competition, the Indian was handed a bye in the first round. He took on Sahin of Turkey in the Round of 16 and defeated him 3-1 to move into the quarterfinals that were decided on points.

He then faced Navruzov of Uzbekistan in the quarterfinals and defeated him by 3-1 on points to book a place in the semi-finals. Sushil Kumar played one of the best matches in the semi-finals he took on Tanatrov of Kazakhstan.

It was an amazing performance by the Indian in the first round as he dominated his opponent and rolled him for 2 points to take 1-0 lead. The Kazakh wrestler came back strongly in the 2nd round with a dominating performance and make it 1-1.

In the third and final round, Sushil Kumar looked tired and Kazakh wrestler took advantage of making it 3-0.  With things looking out of control for the Indian, the Haryana poster boy caught his opponent by his leg and pinned him down to make it 3-3. Sushil then showed his skills by hanging him on his shoulders to floor Kazakh wrestler on the mat making into the 2nd successive Olympic finals.

Sushil Kumar became the third Indian wrestler after KD Jadhav in 1952 and Yogeshwar Dutt in the London Olympics in 60 Kg. 

Sushil Kumar took on a tough Japanese opponent Yonemistu in the finals. The Indian looked and could not replicate his performance to lose the match 0-3. In the first round, Yonemistu attacked Sushil in the first 30 seconds and banged the Indian on the mat to take a decisive three points lead.

He was not up to the mark in the finals against a strong Japanese opponent. Sushil Kumar became the first Indian winning back to back medals in the prestigious event. In 2008, Beijing Olympics, he won the bronze medal in the 66 Kg via repechage round.

Sushil had won the gold medal in the 2010 World Championship played in Moscow. He won gold medals in Commonwealth Games including 2010 at Delhi in 66 Kg freestyle, 74 Kg freestyle in 2014 at Glasgow. He won the gold medal at the 2018 Games played at Gold Coast, Australia.

India ended the London Olympics with the best ever performance with 6 medals. Shooting and Wrestling winning 2 medals each while boxing and Badminton one each. 


 London Olympics 2012: Sushil Kumar bags historic silver medal ...

 This Day That Year: Sushil Kumar won a historic silver medal at London Olympics 

 

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