Grapplers Vinesh, Anshu seal Paris Olympics quota
Vinesh, one of the main faces of the wrestlers’ protest last year, defeated Kazakhstan’s Laura Ganikyzy in the 50kg semifinal to inch closer to competing at her third straight Olympics.
A well-known name in the world of wrestling and Himachal’s second ‘Khali’, Tiger Rapta has urged the state government’s support for promoting pro-wrestling talent in Himachal.
Addressing media persons here on Sunday Tiger Rapta said, “With the pro-wrestling having a bright future in India and worldwide, the state government should promote the sport among the youth in the state.”
Tiger Rapta had recently won the ‘War of Pride’ title at the pro-wrestling extravaganza held at Chandigarh that was organized by Indian Pro Wrestling (IPW) on February 10, defeating 6 international wrestlers in the final championship.
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Hailing from a tiny hamlet Madhog of Chopal in Shimla district, he has made a mark in the world of wrestling after the Great Khali, Dalip Singh Rana who hails from Sirmaur district.
Tiger Rapta said, “There wrestling talent in abundance in Himachal, which however lacks the much-needed platform to thrive. If the state government comes forward to support by holding pro-wrestling championships and an academy the sports will get the much-required boost.”
Having invested 10 years journey into wrestling that took him to South Africa to seek training, he said, “It has been almost 25 years of struggle and hard work to become an acclaimed wrestler. I hope that the state government encourages the sport so that many of the talented desi wrestlers are groomed to compete with other domestic as well as international wrestlers.”
He said that during his recent meeting with the Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur and Youth Services and Sports Minister Gobind Thakur at the wrestling championship at Chandigarh on February 10, he had taken up the concern of promotion of wrestling and the talent in Himachal and both had evinced keen interest in the promotion of the same.
“Besides, I would also want to contribute in my own way for holding of wrestling championships in the state where international repute wrestlers as well participate, as a payback to the state from where I belong,” he added.
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