What a brilliant comeback: Anurag Thakur lauds Ravi Dahiya’s performance

Team Udayavani, Aug 4, 2021, 4:05 PM IST

AFP photo

Anurag Thakur, the Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports, and Kiren Rijiju, the Union Minister for Law and Justice, on Wednesday hailed grappler Ravi Dahiya as he became only the second Indian wrestler to qualify for the title clash at the Olympic Games, when he sensationally turned around the 57 kg semifinal bout by pinning Kazakhstan’s Nurislam Sanayev.

“What a brilliant comeback Ravi Kumar Dahiya! You’re a fighter! You had us on the edge of our seat with your power play! All the best for the final! India is cheering for you,” tweeted Thakur.

Taking to Twitter, Rijiju wrote: “One of the finest and most dramatic comeback by Ravi Kumar Dahiya! India is confirmed of another Olympic medal as Ravi is through to the 57kg FINAL in men’s #Wrestling at #Tokyo2020 #Cheer4India.”

The fourth seed Indian trailed 2-9 after Sanayev effected a few ‘fitley’ (leg lace) but as the clock ticked away, Dahiya regrouped and got hold of his rival with a double leg attack that resulted in a ‘victory by fall.’

Despite a huge deficit, Dahiya did not panic, showing tremendous mental strength and dramatically turned the bout in his favour.