Woman wrestler brings Olympic glory to India
Apr 7, 2012 | Pratirodh BureauWoman wrestler Geeta made history as she became the first Indian female wrestler to qualify for Olympics.
Geeta succeeded in booking a berth at the London Olympics after clinching a gold medal in the 55kg category in ongoing Asian qualifying tournament in Asthana in Kazakhstan.
Geeta defeated her Korean opponent Ji-Eun Um in the summit clash 5-0. Earlier she had defeated Aiym Abdildina of Kazakhstan 9-4 in the semi final and thrashed Gulina Kubatbek Kyzy of Kyrgyzstan 8-0 in the opening match.
She said that she is immensly pleased with her performance in the tournament. "I want to keep improving and look forward to doing well at my first Olympics," the Haryana girl added.
Her proud father Mahabir Singh said he is very happy that her daughter has made the country proud and is the first Indian woman wrestler to qualify for Olympics.
Geeta\\\’s younger sister Babita, who is also a wrestler and won a silver medal at the 2010 Commonwealth Games, said she would be more delighted when Geeta comes back with a medal from Olympics.
Raj Singh, Wrestling Federation of India secretary general also expressed pleasure over her achievement.
"Geeta is a bright wrestler and the credit for her achievement goes to chief coach O P Yadav," he added.
Geeta hogged the limelight when she won three consecutive gold medals at the Asian Cadet Championships in 2003, 2004, and 2005. She won the Commonwealth Wrestling Championship in 2009. The high came in the 2010 Commonwealth Games where she won gold in front of the home crowd.