Wrestler Ravi Kumar Dahiya Claims Bronze At France's Grand Prix

Tokyo Olympic silver medallist Ravi Kumar Dahiya, who faced a setback in the form of injuries, made a triumphant return to the wrestling arena by securing a bronze medal at the prestigious Grand Prix De France Henri Deglane wrestling tournament held in Nice, France.

Overcoming Adversity: Dahiya’s Journey Back to the Mat

Dahiya’s absence from the international scene during the entire 2023 season was attributed to injuries he sustained during practice. The setback, which included Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) and Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL) injuries to his right knee in February, forced him out of the Asian Championships in April 2023.

Despite attempts to compete in the national trials for the Asian Games in July, the aggravated injury sidelined him for the rest of the year. Unfortunately, this meant missing the World Wrestling Championships in Belgrade, a crucial qualifying event for the Paris 2024 Olympics.

Grand Return at the Grand Prix De France Henri Deglane

Dahiya’s return to the mat at the Grand Prix De France Henri Deglane was met with anticipation and excitement. Competing in the 61kg freestyle category, he showcased his resilience and skill throughout the tournament.

Road to Bronze: Dahiya’s Bouts

Round of 16 Victory: Dahiya demonstrated his prowess by securing a victory over Julien Zinser of Germany in the round of 16 with technical superiority, finishing with a scoreline of 13-2.
Quarter-Final Triumph: The Indian wrestler continued his winning streak with a hard-fought 12-6 win over Zangar Kabylbekov of Kazakhstan in the quarter-final, setting the stage for a potential medal.
Semi-Final Hurdle: Dahiya faced a tough challenge in the semi-final against Arman Eloyan of France, succumbing to a 6-3 defeat. Despite this setback, his performance earned him a spot in the bronze medal bout.
Bronze Medal Glory: In the bronze medal bout, Dahiya faced Kairat Amirtayev of Kazakhstan. Despite trailing 2-4 in the initial minutes, Dahiya showcased his experience and skill, ultimately winning the bout 10-4 to secure the bronze medal.

Future Prospects: Weight Category Shift and Olympic Qualifiers

Looking ahead, Ravi Kumar Dahiya is set to make a strategic move by shifting from the 61kg to the 57kg weight category for upcoming events. His next challenges include the Asian Olympic Games Qualifier scheduled for April in Kyrgyzstan and the World Olympic Qualifiers in Turkey in May. These competitions will play a crucial role in determining his eligibility for the Paris 2024 Olympics.