Wrestling and India has a history that goes back quite a bit - the references of which can be found in the epics of Mahabharata and Ramayana.
The sport of wrestling is often referred to "Malla-Yudhha" and is believed to have been practiced prior to the advent of Aryans in India. Fast forward to 2019, it continues to exist in all its glory.?
AFP
Indian wrestlers have tasted success and flourished in the sport. It being very evident from the brilliant showing at the Olympics in the last three editions - where India have won a total of four medals - one silver and three bronze.
Indian wrestlers love affair with the global extravaganza of Olympics isn't new. In 1952 Helsinki Olympics, Khashaba Dadasaheb Jadhav won a bronze medal for India in Men's freestyle bantamweight.?
Since, the likes of Sushil Kumar, Yogeshwar Dutt, and Sakshi Malik - have tasted the ultimate glory and made the podium finish. The 2020 Tokyo Olympics will be another opportunity for Indian wrestlers to stake their claim for ascendancy.?
A gold will do just that.?
India will again have a powerful and talented contingent in Tokyo next year. Let's look at the top wrestlers who will be medal contenders:
IANS
A very aggressive and intimidating character, Bajrang Punia is everything a wrestler should be - quick, strong, and full of skills. He is ranked number 1 in the 65 kg category and is a Asian and Commonwealth Games' gold medallist.?
The 25 year-old is seen as a future of Indian wrestling and he has does his talent no harm. In the World Championships last year, he finished with a silver medal. A superb run considering how he had to compete against the top wrestlers in the world.
The Haryana native will be a favourite to write another memorable chapter for India at the Olympics.?
AP
In 2016 Rio Olympics, Sakshi Malik wrote a glorious chapter when she became the first Indian woman to win an Olympic medal in wrestling. She was a rank outsider in an Indian contingent that had more experienced customers, but Sakshi was the unlikely hero.
Putting performance after performance on her way to bronze medal in the 58 kg Women's category, the 27 year-old found her own to way to what was a special feat. It would have given her loads of confidence and motivation, as podium finish at Olympics happens to do.
Now the onus will be on her to go one or two steps better in Tokyo. She is a definite medal hopeful and will be one to keep an eye on.
PTI
The two-time Olympic medallist is arguably India's greatest wrestler. He has won almost everything there is to win, but a gold at the Olympics is the only glittering glory missing from the cabinet. He might be 36 years-old, but he still has the hunger to achieve it all.
After winning the bronze in 2008 Beijing Olympics, he followed it up with a silver in 2012 London Olympics. After going empty handed in the 2016 edition, he will be looking to make amends - and what better stage than the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
It will in all probability be Sushil Kumar's final Olympics, and if he can win the elusive gold, it would be a wonderful swansong to an incredibly career.
PTI
After recently winning the bronze medal in World Championships, Vinesh Phogat became the first Indian wrestler to qualify for 2020 Tokyo Olympics. The Asian and Commonwealth Games gold medallist, 25 year-old is fast becoming a champion wrestler.
After putting in brilliant performances over the last few years, Vinesh will have her moment at the Olympics and she will be eager to grab it with both hands. It is a different stage, but Vinesh has shown enough temperament to not faze on the big stage.
A lot of expectations and hopes are pinged on Vinesh, and she will be eager to come good on them.
AP
Another budding and talented wrestler, Pooja Dhanda has been making a name for himself, away from the glam of her other compatriots. The 25 year-old won a bronze medal in last edition of World Championships.
She has now again reached the semifinals, and if she she prevails she will become the first Indian woman wrestler to win two medals at the World Championships. It would be quite a feat, and Pooja is showing her mettle.
Unlike other big names, she might not grab eyeballs, but she will be one tow watch at the Tokyo Olympics.?