Wrestling Battles Episode 3: Rahul Aware vs Ravinder: When the old meets the new
There has always been a cold war between the old and the new generation. Be it over the taste of music, preference of food, or style of working, it is a never-ending battle. Wrestling too has its battle of the generations. And one such battle is that of Rahul Aware and Ravinder. While the former is the flag-bearer of the senior generation, the latter is the poster boy for the next-gen.
Rahul Aware: The Marathi Warrior
When Khasaba Dadasaheb Jadhav won independent India’s first individual Olympic medal at the 1952 Helsinki Olympics, folklore has it that he was welcomed back to his village in Maharashtra’s district with a procession of 151 bullock carts. Little did Jadhav knew that 67 years late there would be another son of the soil who would win a worlds medal. Yes, the name is Rahul Balasaheb Aware.
His bronze in the 61kg freestyle at the World Championships in Kazakhstan made him a local hero in the Maratha land. Nicknamed ‘nana’, Aware is one of the brightest talents in the current crop and the only non-Haryanvi wrestler.
His ability shone through in domestic competitions, with him winning the first of his seven-gold medal at the senior nationals in 2009. But all has not been good for the Maharashtra wrestler.
Aware has been a warrior fighting for his identity ever since he made it into the senior national team. First, it was the politics at the higher level, then anterior cruciate ligament injury to the knee that has stopped him from rising.
But just like Shivaji – a warrior king from Maharashtra – Aware has been determined to rise against all odds and prove his mettle to the world.
He is two-time Asian Championship medallist and 2018 Commonwealth Games champion.
Ravinder: The wrestler of the future
One of the flag-bearers of next-gen of Indian wrestlers, Ravinder is the 2019 U23 world championship, silver medallist. The Haryana wrestler won the School National gold in 2013 before winning a bronze in the 2013 Asian Cadet Championships. The following year he saw Ravinder secure the Senior National silver.
Ravinder is currently recovering from an ACL injury but hopes will be ready for the trials in 65kg – currently dominated by Bajrang Punia — should the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) announce it.
Aware vs Ravinder: Experience prevailed over youthful exuberance
Both the wrestlers compete in the 61kg. The duo met in January for the trials for the Asian Championships berth.
In a close-fought bout, Aware made it to the Indian men’s freestyle squad edging out the young wrestler 6-5.
Both the wrestlers compete in the 61kg. The duo met in January for the trials for the Asian Championships berth.
In a close-fought bout, Aware made it to the Indian men’s freestyle squad edging out the young wrestler 6-5.
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