Neeru Dhanda: From tin cans and a borrowed gun to WC history and Asian Games gold

Haryana, India's premier wrestling hub, has produced the entire Asian Games wrestling team. At the Raipur Sports Academy in Sonepat, coach Kuldeep Singh observes Francis Sangma of Meghalaya as he attempts to counter Rohit from Haryana. Meanwhile, at Chhotu Ram Stadium in Rohtak, Mandeep, the coach, works closely with Komal from Maharashtra to perfect her grappling technique.

Francis, Komal, and other aspiring wrestlers from far-flung areas journey over 1,000 kilometers to hone their skills in Haryana due to its rich wrestling legacy. Notable alumni include Olympic bronze medallist Aman Sehrawat from Jhajjar and Tokyo Olympian Deepak Punia. Coach Kuldeep attributes Haryana's dominance in wrestling to the sport's pathway to international representation, which offers financial rewards and national pride.

Wrestling in Haryana dates back to traditional practices like dangals and mitti kushti, but the state's modernization came with the adoption of mat wrestling. This transition began in the 1990s when akharas, or wrestling schools, realized that mat wrestling was essential. The success of top wrestlers like Sushil Kumar and Yogeshwar Dutt further fueled the growth of Haryana's wrestling ecosystem.

With three of Kuldeep's wrestlers set to compete in Aichi-Nagoya, Haryana's wrestling system continues to thrive, with the region's focus on developing multiple contenders for each event.