Wrestling has long been one of India's most successful sports at the Olympic Games, consistently producing outstanding results and making the country proud on the global stage. Since 2008, when Sushil Kumar won a bronze medal at the Beijing Olympics, wrestling has been a dominant force, with Indian wrestlers claiming a total of seven Olympic medals up to the 2024 Paris Games. The success story of Indian wrestling reached new heights in recent years, with several wrestlers showing promise and continuing to inspire the next generation. However, the 2024 season has been a turbulent one for the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) and the wrestlers, with off-the-mat issues severely affecting preparations and results.
The season saw a series of challenges that almost derailed the good work done in recent years. One of the few bright spots was Delhi-based freestyle wrestler Aman Sherawat’s bronze medal at the Paris Olympic Games. His achievement, a hard-fought victory in a highly competitive field, was the only major success for Indian wrestling at the Games. However, the road to Paris and beyond was filled with hurdles, the most significant of which were the governance and administrative crises within the WFI.
In January 2023, a massive protest erupted among India’s elite wrestlers, including Olympic medallist Bajrang Punia and World Championship medallist Vinesh Phogat, against WFI president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. The protest was sparked by serious allegations of sexual harassment against Singh, which led to a disruption of the wrestlers’ preparation for the 2024 Paris Olympics. The controversy not only created a cloud of uncertainty over the sport but also caused significant damage to the sport's administration, as WFI's day-to-day operations were taken over by an ad-hoc panel appointed by the Sports Ministry of India. This further hindered the preparations for the Paris Games, with no national camp held for the wrestlers.
In addition to the internal conflicts within the WFI, the Federation's poor governance led to India’s failure to host any continental competitions on home soil after the COVID-19 pandemic. Continental competitions are critical for Indian wrestlers, as they provide home-ground advantages, boost morale, and give Indian fans the opportunity to witness world-class wrestling. India last hosted the Senior Asian Wrestling Championships in New Delhi in 2020, but since then, no similar events have been organized due to the administrative turmoil at the WFI.
The absence of continental competitions in India was a significant setback, as these events play a vital role in the development of wrestlers and give them the exposure they need to compete at the highest level. With India’s growing reputation as a wrestling powerhouse, the lack of these competitions meant that Indian wrestlers missed valuable opportunities to sharpen their skills and gain experience on home turf.
At the Paris Olympics, the absence of adequate preparation became evident. Vinesh Phogat, one of India's most successful female wrestlers, had an agonizing experience, missing out on a medal after being disqualified for being overweight during the weigh-in for her gold medal match in the freestyle category. Meanwhile, promising young wrestler Antim Panghal, who had been tipped as a potential medal contender, failed to live up to expectations and was knocked out in the preliminary round of the women’s 53kg category. Several other Indian wrestlers also faltered, with the exception of Aman Sherawat, who earned the country’s only bronze in wrestling at the 2024 Games.
The impact of these off-the-mat issues was also felt at the Senior National Wrestling Championships held in Bengaluru, where the star-studded Railways team, which traditionally plays a major role in Indian wrestling, pulled out of the competition. This disruption, along with the WFI’s continued internal challenges, further affected the morale and preparation of India’s top wrestlers.
To make matters worse, Bajrang Punia, who had been one of the key wrestlers for India, was suspended by the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) for refusing to provide a urine sample for a dope test earlier in the year. This incident added to the growing list of problems surrounding the sport and painted a picture of disarray within Indian wrestling. Punia's suspension was a major blow to the sport, given his status as a former Olympic bronze medallist and one of India’s most experienced and decorated wrestlers.
Legal cases involving former international wrestlers and Olympians continue to haunt the WFI, with ongoing court battles that are expected to persist into the 2025 season. These legal issues, combined with the administrative challenges, have created an atmosphere of uncertainty and disruption, preventing Indian wrestling from achieving its full potential on the global stage.
Looking ahead, the 2025 season is unlikely to bring immediate relief to the sport, as the WFI’s struggles continue to affect the performance and morale of Indian wrestlers. Despite the talent and potential within India’s wrestling community, the lack of proper governance and adequate preparation could prevent the country from reaching the same heights as it has in the past.
The situation paints a troubling picture for Indian wrestling, which has long been a source of national pride. While the sport’s future remains uncertain, one thing is clear: unless the WFI addresses its governance issues and provides the necessary support for its athletes, India’s wrestling contingent may struggle to replicate its past successes. The need for reform and stability within the Federation is more urgent than ever, and only time will tell if the necessary changes will be made to put Indian wrestling back on track.
