India have won two medals in Rio Olympics 2016 so far, with PV Sindhu winning silver in badminton and Sakshi Malik (bronze in wrestling), and we are into the last day of the quadrennial event. India can end their campaign on a high if well-known wrestler Yogeshwar Dutt manages to win a medal in the men's 65 kg freestyle event, which starts on Sunday.
Click here for report: Yogeshwar Dutt loses in the opening round
Yogeshwar, who won bronze in London Olympics, is one of the medal contenders in the event, and he starts his campaign against Ganzorigiin Mandakhnaran of Mongolia in the first round. The Indian wrestler has trained extremely hard to bring glory to the nation, and it is time for him to deliver and win his second medal in the Olympics, which will increase India's tally to three.
The Indian wrestler will be aware that the nation will watch him closely. Yogeshwar's close friend, also two-time Olympic medallist, Sushil Kumar hopes that the wrestler brings gold to India. It would be a huge feat for India since Sushil lost in the finals of 2012 London Games.
"We have been friends since childhood. All my best wishes are with Yogeshwar. I hope he wins the gold medal. The entire nation is standing behind him," ANI quoted Sushil as saying.
The road ahead is not going to be any easy, though he should not find it difficult in the first round of the competition. If Yogeshwar manages to reach the last eight of the competition, he could run into a tough opponent in the form of Russia's Soslan Ramonov, who is one of the strong competitors in the men's 65 kg freestyle event.
But, in an event like the Olympics, as expected, it is only going to get much tougher in the latter stages of the competition. It is at these crucial stages of the event where wrestlers' need to come to the fore, and find that extra gear to win an Olympic medal.
Yogeshwar should be more than determined to win India a medal in the Rio Olympics due to some unfortunate stories, which has unfurled in wrestling for the Indian contingent. Though Sakshi won a medal, Vinesh Phogat injured herself during a wrestling bout, while India's another medal contender, Narsingh Yadav was banned for a period of four years just few hours ahead of the Olympics. WADA questioned NADA's decison to give the wrestler a clean cheat after tested positive, and a hearing took place, which resulted in Narsingh's dream getting obliterated.
Yogeshwar will need to keep her focus on his bouts, and help India sign off from the Rio Olympics on a high.
Where to watch live
Men's 65 kg freestyle wrestling: Yogeshwar Dutt vs Ganzorigiin Mandakhnaran is scheduled for 5 p.m IST start (8:30 a.m local time, 12:30 p.m, 7:30 a.m ET ) on Aug. 21.
India: TV: Star Sports Network, DD National. Live streaming: Hotstar.
UK: TV: BBC. Live streaming: BBC Red Button.
USA: TV: NBC Sports. Live streaming: NBC Olympics.
Middle East Countires TV: BeIN Sports. Live streaming:BeIN Sports Connect
Brazil: TV:SporTV, Globo, Fox Sports and ESPN.
