Ramesh creates history at World Wrestling Championship

Ramesh Kumar has finally ended India’s 42-year wait for a medal in the men’s segment of World Wrestling Championship. He did so by winning a bronze in the 74 kg freestyle category in Hernig, Denmark yesterday. Vishambar Singh was the last male wrestler to win a medal at the World Championship, when he won a silver way back in 1967.

Ramesh, two-time Commonwealth champion, had to face some stiff opposition to get to the medal round. He had a very tough match against American Justin Schlattler in the first round winning 3-2. He then defeated Michael Grundy of Great Britain 4-2 in the second. The quarterfinal was much easier compared to the earlier rounds where he faced Kiril Terzlev of Bulgaria, eventually winning the bout 7-4. His run ended in the semi-final, when he lost to eventual silver medallist Chamsulvara chamsulvarayev of Azerbaijan. Ramesh was now up against the winner of the repechage rounds in the bronze-medal match, Alexandr Burca of Moldova.

Ramesh is known for his attacking wrestling, where he uses fast techno-tactical combinations. However, he started the bout defensively and had problems in stopping Burca, eventually conceding the first period 0-3. He realised his mistake and was back to his natural style in the second round. This proved to be the turning point, as Ramesh came back strongly in the second period to egde back into the match, to make the score 2-3. The third period saw Burca going for a full attack strategy. This worked in his favour as he won 4 consecutive points to lead 7-4. Ramesh now had a mounain to climb with less than a minute to go. Ramesh then unleashed a decisive three point throw to level the match at 7-7. The match ended with both wrestlers tied at 7 a piece.It was Ramesh who was declared the winner on the basis of technical points.

Ramesh Kumar’s natural all- attack style played a big role in this historic victory. Staring defeat in the face, it was his guts and grit that made him to go for the high-risk three point technical move. In the end, it was this move that won him the bronze.