NEW DELHI: India’s top wrestlers, who made their mark globally last year, have secured nominations for the prestigious Times of India Sports Awards (TOISA) 2024. With their remarkable strength, skill, and relentless determination, these athletes will compete in the men’s, and women’s categories.
As February 22 approaches, anticipation is building for the announcement of the Wrestler of the Year award. The winners will be revealed at a grand ceremony in Lucknow, the iconic ‘City of Nawabs.’
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The TOISA 2024 Jury comprises of former long-jumper and senior vice-president of AFI, Anju Bobby George; Olympic medal-winning wrestler Yogeshwar Dutt; Former captain of the Indian hockey team, Dilip Tirkey; Paralympic medalist Javelin thrower Devendra Jhajharia; Olympic medallist, boxer Vijender Singh.
Here are the nominees for Wrestler of the Year:
Wrestler of the Year – MEN
Aman Sehrawat
Date of Birth: July 16, 2003
Place of Birth: Birohar (Jhajjar), Haryana
Sport: Wrestling
Major Achievements in 2024:
– Won a bronze medal at the Paris Olympics in 57kg freestyle category
– Became the youngest Indian to win an Olympic medal
– Gold medal in 57kg at Zagreb Open
Wrestler Aman Sehrawat achieved remarkable milestones, establishing himself as a prominent figure in international wrestling. In January, he clinched the gold medal in the men’s 57kg category at the Zagreb Open, defeating all his oppo- nents by technical superiority. His consistent performances throughout the year earned him a spot in the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. At the Olympics, Sehrawat showcased exceptional skill, advancing to the semifinals. Although he faced a setback in the semifinals against Japan’s Rei Higuchi, he demonstrated resilience by securing a bronze medal. This accomplishment made him India’s youngest Olympic medallist at 21 years and 24 days old.
Chirag Chikkara
Date of Birth: N/A
Place of Birth: Sonepat, Haryana Sport: Wrestling
Events: Freestyle 57kg
Major Achievements in 2024:
– U23 World Championships – Gold
Chirag Chikkara is a rising star in Indian wrestling, having secured a gold medal at the U-23 World Wrestling Champion- ships. He became only the third Indian to achieve this feat, following Aman Sehrawat (2022) and Reetika Hooda (2023). Known for his strong defense, quick counterattacks, and exceptional stamina, Chikkara has demonstrated immense potential on the mat. With this historic victory, he has cemented his place as a future contender for senior-level internation- al tournaments.
Vicky Chahar
Date of Birth: August 3, 1999
Place of Birth: Haryana
Sport: Wrestling
Events: Freestyle 97kg
Major Achievements in 2024:
– Asian Championships – Bronze
– U23 World Championships – Bronze
– National Championships – Gold
Vicky Chahar is a promising young Indian wrestler who made a strong impact on the international stage in 2024. Compet- ing in the 97kg freestyle category, he clinched bronze at the Asian Championships early in the year, showcasing his skill and resilience. He followed it up with another bronze at the U-23 World Championships, reinforcing his status as a rising star in Indian wrestling. Chahar is steadily climbing the ranks in global wrestling.
Udit Kumar
Date of Birth: N/A
Place of Birth: N/A
Sport: Wrestling
Events: Freestyle 57kg
Major Achievements in 2024:
– Asian Championships – Silver
– National Championships – Bronze
Udit Kumar is a rising Indian wrestler who showcased his talent on the international stage by winning a silver medal at the Asian Championships in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. Competing in a tough final, he narrowly lost 4-5 to Japan’s Kento Yumiya, settling for second place. Despite the setback, Udit continued his strong performances, later securing a bronze medal at the National Wrestling Championships.
Wrestler of the Year – WOMEN
Vinesh Phogat
Date of Birth: August 25, 1994
Place of Birth: Charkhi Dadri, Haryana
Sport: Wrestling (women’s)
Event: 48 kg, 50kg, 53 kg
Major Achievements in 2024:
– Became the first Indian female wrestler to reach an Olympic final
At the 2024 Paris Olympics, Vinesh Phogat achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first Indian woman to reach the finals in wrestling. Her journey to the final was marked by a significant victory over two-time Olympic champion Yui Susaki, underscoring her exceptional talent. However, in a heartbreaking turn of events, Phogat was disqualified from the gold medal match for exceeding the 50kg weight limit by just 100 grams. Despite rigorous efforts to make weight, including fasting, extensive exercise, and even cutting her hair, she was unable to meet the requirement. This disqualification prevented her from potentially securing India’s first Olympic gold in wrestling. Following her disqualification, Phogat appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) arguing that she had been within the legal weight limits during the initial stages of the competition and requested that she be awarded a joint silver medal as a fair resolution. But the CAS delivered a short verdict dismissing her request, citing adherence to the rules and competition standards. Phogat then announced her retirement from wrestling, bringing an immediate end to her illustrious career.
Antim Panghal
Date of Birth: August 31, 2004
Place of Birth: Bhagana, Hisar, Haryana
Sport: Wrestling (women’s)
Event: 53 kg
Major Achievements in 2024:
– Silver Medal at Polyák Imre & Varga János Memorial Tournament
Antim Panghal is a two-time Under-20 world champion and an Asian Games, Asian Championships and senior world wrestling championships medal winner. In 2024, Antim Panghal continued to make significant strides in her wrestling career, participating in the women’s 53kg freestyle category at the Paris 2024 Olympics. She secured her Olympic berth by clinching a bronze medal at the World Wrestling Championships in 2023. However, during the Olympics, Panghal faced a challenging bout against Vanesa Kaladzinskaya, a seasoned wrestler from Belarus, which resulted in her exit from the competition.
Reetika Hooda
Date of Birth: August 31, 2002
Place of Birth: Rohtak, Haryana
Sport: Wrestling (women’s)
Event: 76 kg
Major Achievements in 2024:
– Silver Medal at Polyák Imre & Varga János Memorial Tournament
– Qualified 1st at 2024 Asian Wrestling Olympic Qualification Tournament
Reetika secured a spot for India in the women’s 76kg freestyle wrestling category at the 2024 Paris Olympics by winning the Asian Wrestling Olympic Qualification Tournament in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. Competing in the women’s 76kg freestyle wrestling event, Reetika advanced to the quarterfinals but was eliminated after a closely contested bout against top-seed- ed Aiperi Medet Kyzy. Reetika made history by winning the gold medal in the women’s 76kg category at World Military Championships, becoming only the second Indian woman to achieve this feat at the tournament.
Nisha Dahiya
Date of Birth: October 18, 1998
Place of Birth: Village Adiyana, District Panipat
Sport: Wrestling (women’s)
In May 2024, Nisha Dahiya secured her spot at the Paris 2024 Olympics by defeating Romania’s Alexandra Anghel in the 68kg semi-finals at the World Olympic qualifiers in Istanbul. Nisha looked set to secure a semifinal berth in the women’s wrestling 68kg division in her debut Olympic Games in Paris. She had scored a come-from-behind victory in her pre-quar- terfinal against Ukraine’s Sova Rizhko 6-4 after trailing 1-4 at half time and looked in menacing touch while taking on North Korean Sol Gum Pak in her last-eight contest, but lost the bout 10-8 because of an injury.