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Indian Express
7 hours ago
- Sport
- Indian Express
Orphaned at eight, battling odds, Greco-Roman wrestler Hardeep Singh becomes first Indian World Champion in U-17 class
When Hardeep Singh stepped on the mat at a sparsely-crowded arena in Athens, he was one of the many thousand teenagers slugging it out in akharas across Haryana, dreaming of following in the footsteps of wrestling legends from the North India hotbed. Four minutes later, the 16-year-old, orphaned at eight, had carved his reputation and now stands out in a crowd. On Tuesday night, Hardeep became India's first under-17 world champion in the 110kg weight class of Greco-Roman style, recovering from a 0-2 deficit after the first round to beat Iran's Yazdan Delrouz 3-2 in a nail-biting final. In doing so, the young wrestler also put Haryana's Mandothi village, notorious as a hub of wrestler-turned-gangsters, in the spotlight for the right reasons. Originally from Bamnoli, Hardeep has been living and training in Mandothi for four years at an akhara run by Arjuna Awardee wrestler Dharmender Dalal. According to United World Wrestling, this 'is the heaviest weight class India has ever won a gold medal at the World U17 level'. These are still early days of a fledgling career. But an under-17 gold medal, though not a guarantee of senior-level success, is a sign of talent and promise, especially in a wrestling style – Greco-Roman – in which freestyle-crazy India has had an underwhelming history. 'He is only 16 but his strength belies his age. He is very strong and it is exciting to think how much he can improve, especially in his lower-body strength, in the coming years,' Dalal, a former Greco-Roman wrestler who is now Hardeep's coach, says. 'I am not talking about just physical strength. He came back from losing positions in the semifinal and final, which speaks a lot about his mental toughness too.' Jasjit Singh, Hardeep's paternal uncle, attributes the mental strength to the 'circumstances' that the grappler confronted from a young age. 'When Hardeep was eight years old, he lost both his parents. Can there be a bigger test for anybody, be it a young child or grown adult, than that?' Jasjit asks, his voice mournful. Satish, Hardeep's father, was a wrestler employed with the Border Security Force. 'However, he became a victim of drug addiction, which had a terrible impact on the whole family,' Jasjit says. Eight years ago, Hardeep's parents — his mother, Asha Devi, who was with the education ministry, died in a 'tragic incident', Jasjit adds without sharing details. The responsibility for his elder brother's two children, Hardeep and his elder sibling Sameer, fell on Jasjit's shoulders. 'Only we know the kind of difficulties we faced during that period. My brother left a note saying they did not have a single penny to leave for the children… we had to sell the family land to ensure that all of us could survive,' he says. Even in those dark days, Jasjit was determined that Hardeep and Sameer would continue the family tradition in wrestling. 'My grandfather,' Jasjit says, 'was a wrestler. My father, too, was a wrestler and so was my brother, Hardeep's father.' Initially, he enrolled the two brothers at a local akhara in the village. But when Hardeep turned 12, Jasjit took them to Dalal's academy in Mandothi. It was a decision fraught with risk. As much as a wrestling hotbed — home to several international wrestlers — Mandothi, in the last few years, has become infamous as a crime hub. In 2019, an officer at the Mandothi police station had told The Indian Express that they found a pattern in the crimes committed in the region. 'Those who wanted a particular job done actively looked for wrestlers who failed to make it big,' the officer had said. They came to this conclusion while investigating the background of Naveen Dalal, a former wrestler from Mandothi accused of firing two shots at activist Umar Khalid outside New Delhi's Constitution Club in 2017. In March this year, the Delhi Police Crime Branch reportedly arrested Manjeet Dalal, a former national-level wrestler from Mandothi, for his involvement in 10 cases of firing (including on the police), robbery and attempt to murder. Dharmender Dalal plays down the unsavoury reputation of his village. 'You'll find bad elements in every city, every village. We had a big wrestling tradition and at the akharas, the only thing children and adults are obsessed with is doing well for India in wrestling,' he says. Jasjit was lured by the wrestling tradition of Mandothi and the single-mindedness of the pehelwans training there when he decided to enrol Hardeep and Sameer at the akhara there. He admits, however, to being 'worried all the time'. 'The akhara is around 12 km from home but I make it a point to visit both of them every day at least three to four times. It's very easy for young boys to go off the rails,' Jasjit says. Soon after they joined the akhara, Jasjit, too, quit his government job to be with them 24×7. 'I quit everything and concentrated on giving the two brothers the best quality food and whatever else they needed,' he says. 'Hardeep's grandmother wakes up at 3 am, prepares their meals, milks the cow so they get fresh milk every day and I deliver it to them. The same process is repeated in the evening. Every day for the last four years, this has been our routine.' While the family went out of its way to make sure Hardeep and Sameer did not feel the absence of their parents, Dalal took care of the technical part. He sees scope of improvement in many areas, especially in 'ground positions'. 'He isn't a complete wrestler yet so we have to keep working hard,' Dalal says. 'But let's not forget, he is only 16 years old.'
Hindustan Times
23-07-2025
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
Ex Kabaddi captain falls into Ganga, rescued by Uttarakhand Police
Former captain of the Indian Kabaddi team and Arjuna Awardee, Deepak Hooda, got caught in the strong currents of River Ganga after falling into it and was subsequently saved by the Uttarakhand Police. The video showed officers leaping into water from a boat to grab Hooda as the strong water currents dragged the boat. (Uttarakhand Police/ X) The incident took place in Haridwar on Wednesday when the star Kabaddi player got stuck in the river. In a brave display of courage, the 40th Battalion quickly launched a rescue operation and safely brought him out of danger. Uttarakhand Police also took to their official X handle, informing about the rescue operation along with a video of the battalion saving Hooda. The video showed officers leaping into water from a boat to grab Hooda as the strong water currents dragged the boat. After much effort, they are able to drag Hooda to the boat successfully, bringing him to the shore. Hooda also expressed gratitude and thanked the officers for saving his life. Hooda has won several international competitions and is married to Sweety Boora, an international boxer. In February this year, Hisar police registered a dowry harassment case against him and his sister Poonam on the complaint from his wife Saweety Boora. She alleged that Deepak was demanding dowry since their marriage in 2022. Also read: SDRF rescues 6 kanwariyas from drowning in separate incidents at Haridwar. Drowning incidents have particularly intensified amid the ongoing Kanwar Yatra. Uttarakhand State Disaster Response Force has been working to rescue Kanwariyas from drowning in Ganga and said that this month, they saved around six Kanwariyas from drowning in separate incidents at Kangra Ghat in Haridwar. Ganga's strong currents have led to multiple deaths due to drowning. In May this year, A 19-year-old son of an Indian Air Force personnel died due to drowning in the Ganga at Sangam in Prayagraj. Earlier, A 16-year-old boy allegedly drowned in the Upper Ganga Canal in Masuri while making video reels.
News18
23-07-2025
- Sport
- News18
Uttarakhand Police Rescue Kabaddi Star Deepak Hooda From Currents In Haridwar
Last Updated: Arjuna Awardee Deepak Hooda was rescued by Uttarakhand Police after being swept away by River Ganga's strong currents in Haridwar. Arjuna Awardee and former captain of the Indian kabaddi team, Deepak Hooda, faced a perilous situation on Wednesday when he was swept away by the strong currents of the River Ganga in Haridwar. The incident occurred when Hooda lost his balance and fell into the river, swiftly becoming caught in the rapid flow. Fortunately, members of the 40th Battalion of the Uttarakhand Police were nearby and responded promptly and bravely. A rapid rescue operation ensued, during which officers from the battalion jumped into the water from a boat and managed to save Hooda despite the river's intense current pulling the boat off course. The Uttarakhand Police shared a video of the rescue on their official X (formerly Twitter) account, showcasing the quick and courageous actions of the personnel involved. The video has since received widespread acclaim on social media. Deepak Hooda expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the officers who saved his life, acknowledging their heroic efforts in the life-threatening situation. The 40th Battalion present at the spot immediately carried out a rescue operation and brought him out safely. Deepak Hooda also sincerely thanked the team. 'Star Kabaddi player… and #UttarakhandPolice's star rescue! Arjuna Awardee and former Indian team captain Deepak Hooda got trapped in the strong currents of the Ganga in Haridwar. The 40th Battalion, present at the scene, immediately carried out a rescue and safely evacuated him. Deepak Hooda also wholeheartedly thanked the team," the post on X said. WATCH: स्टार कबड्डी खिलाड़ी… और #UttarakhandPolice का स्टार रेस्क्यू!अर्जुन अवॉर्डी व भारतीय टीम के पूर्व कप्तान दीपक हुड्डा हरिद्वार में गंगा के तेज बहाव में फंसे। मौके पर मौजूद 40वीं वाहिनी ने तुरंत रेस्क्यू कर उन्हें सुरक्षित निकाला। दीपक हुड्डा ने भी टीम को दिल से धन्यवाद कहा। — Uttarakhand Police (@uttarakhandcops) July 23, 2025 The rescue team successfully hauled him onto the boat and brought him safely to the shore. The timely intervention by the Uttarakhand Police prevented a potential tragedy, earning them widespread appreciation. Who Is Deepak Hooda? Deepak Niwas Hooda, aged 31, hailing from Chamaria village in Rohtak District of Haryana, plays as an all-rounder in kabaddi. He has represented Telugu Titans, Puneri Paltan, and Jaipur Pink Panthers in the Pro Kabaddi League. Internationally, Deepak Hooda won a gold medal for India in the 2016 Kabaddi World Cup and a bronze medal in the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta. He has also secured medals for India in the 2018 Dubai Kabaddi Masters (gold) and two gold medals in the South Asian Games – the 2016 edition in Guwahati and the 2019 edition in Kathmandu. view comments Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Time of India
20-07-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Cycling a fitness mantra & solution to pollution: Minister
Varanasi: Union minister of youth affairs and sports Mansukh Mandaviya urged the youths to cycle at least one hour every Sunday while he launched 'Sunday on Cycle campaign' by leading a cycling rally on Sunday from Amphitheater ground of Banaras Hindu University. With the goal of a 'Fit India and a Developed India', the campaign organised as part of the 'Drug-Free Youth for a Developed India' summit. Addressing the gathering at the Amphitheater ground of BHU, Mandaviya said that cycling is not only a mantra for fitness but also a solution to pollution. Today, Sunday on Cycle is being conducted as a major public campaign across the country, he said. He urged the youth to pledge to cycle for at least an hour every Sunday and join the call of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a Fit India, contributing to the realisation of a developed India. He mentioned that today, Sunday on Cycle is being organised at over 6,000 locations across the country. Earlier, Olympian and Arjuna Awardee hockey star Lalit Kumar Upadhyay flagged off the cycling rally led by Mandaviya, along with Union minister of state for youth affairs and sports Raksha Nikhil Khadse, UP minister Anil Rajbhar, MLC Hansraj Vishwakarma, and other dignitaries. Hundreds of students and citizens took part in this nearly five-kilometre-long cycling rally. During the event, the BHU authorities, including registrar prof Arun Kumar Singh, welcomed the minister and other guests. The 'Fit India Sunday on Cycle' is being organised by the ministry of youth affairs and sports in collaboration with the Cycling Federation of India (CFI), My Bikes, and My Bharat.
Time of India
18-07-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Fit India cycling event at BHU on July 20
Varanasi: The Sports Authority of India (SAI) will organise Fit India 'Sundays on Cycle' at on July 20. It will be flagged off by Olympic medallist and Arjuna Awardee hockey player Lalit Kumar Upadhyay. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now According to the organisers, the event will be attended by Union ministers Mansukh Mandaviya and Raksha Nikhil Khadse. The initiative aims to promote an active and healthy lifestyle among Indians to fight obesity and present cycling as a solution to rising pollution levels across the sub-continent. Starting from Birla Hostel C, the cycle rally will pass through Morvi Hostel, Vishwanath Temple and Kasturba Girls Hostel before reaching Birla Hostel C, the endpoint. T-shirts and refreshments will be provided to the participants.
