Why we could miss out on a generation of wrestlers post COVID-19 crisis

In a COVID-19 stricken world where social distancing is a new norm, there’s no time frame on when the world of sports might get back to normal. Football has already started off abiding by new rules, while others have also taken strides towards normalcy. Shooters, Archers, and even Racquet sports athletes have the privilege of maintaining distance and going about their business to a certain extent. But what happens to combat sports like wrestling? Social distancing is a myth inside the ring, with two contenders using all the strength they have to push the other into submission, then how is it possible to resume bouts amidst the health crisis?

“Individually, the wrestlers have to keep themselves fit at home by physical training; they could use a nearby ground for the purpose. We do keep a track of what the wrestlers’ whereabouts during lockdowns and we also give additional inputs as required. There’s no other option, as athletes cannot hit the gym for obvious reasons, but they can at the most spar with their family members at home,” said Kuldeep Malik, during a chat with Sportscafe.

“This is a body contact game and anything can, there’s danger looming over always. Sports like wrestling, boxing, judo, sumo, etc have been the worst affected as far as the Covid-19 situation is concerned. These are not possible without body contact,” added the national coach.

“The pandemic which has spread is a deadly one and gets transmitted from person to person. Everyone will be cautious before he faces someone inside the ring. Now, if someone arrives with a soaring temperature, no one will be willing to wrestle with him. And we do not have medical facilities everywhere that we can conduct checks on every athlete before practise. It will be very risky in the aftermath of the pandemic,” opined the coach.

Even though the Phogat’s defied all odds and showed everyone that wrestling is a primary career option, the majority of the folk in rural areas might not be on the same page. With the threat of Covid-19 looming over, parents will think twice before sending their kids to the ring. Supposedly, if wrestlers do stay away from the ring for a long period of time, say for six months - one year in extreme circumstances - they are going to fall behind drastically. At the same time, India as a sporting country is losing out on aspiring wrestlers who would have taken up the sports under normal circumstances, causing a major threat to the future generation of wrestlers in the country. 

With the qualification process for the 2021 Tokyo Games almost over, there won’t be a scratch as far as the mega event is concerned, with athletes around the world facing a similar problem. But, if the situation doesn’t stabilize, unfortunately, India will have to brace themselves for a depleted number of wrestlers cometh the next Commonwealth Games or Asian Games. For the time being, we can hope that the deadly virus stays away before chalking out any long term plans.