The history of sports in India dates back to the Vedic era. Physical culture in ancient India was fed by a powerful fuel--religious rites. There were some well-defined values like the mantra in the Atharva-Veda, saying," Duty is in my right hand and the fruits of victory in my left". In terms of an ideal, these words hold the same sentiments as the traditional Olympic oath: ".......For the Honor of my Country and the Glory of Sport." The founders of the Olympic idea had India very much in mind when they were deciding on the various disciplines. There is a fascinating link between Greece and India which stretches back to 975 B.C. The zest for chariot-racing and wrestling was common to both the countries.
In India, dehvada or the body-way is defined as "one of the ways to full realization." In the day and age of the Rig-Veda, Ramayana and Mahabharata men of stature and circumstance were expected to be competent in chariot-racing, archery, horsemanship, military tactics, wrestling, weight-lifting, swimming and hunting.
The guru-shishya (teacher-pupil) relationship has always been an integral part of Indian sport from time immemorial. Indian sport reached a peak of excellence when Buddhism held sway here. In Villas Mani Majra, Tiruvedacharya describes many fascinating games, namely, archery, equitation, hammer-throwing and chariot-racing. In Manas Olhas (1135 A.D.), Someshwar writes about bhrashram (weight-lifting), bhramanshram (walking) and also about Mall-Stambha (wrestling).
It is more than likely that many of today's Olympic disciplines are sophisticated versions of the games of strength and speed that flourished in ancient India and Greece. Chess, wrestling, polo, archery and hockey (possibly a fall-out from polo) are some of the games believed to have originated in India.
Types of Sports
Hockey
Hockey India, formed on 20 May 2009, is the new apex body of the country which has the sole mandate to govern and conduct all activities for both men's and women's hockey in India.
Until the mid 20th century, India dominated international hockey, winning eight Olympic gold medals, won the 1975 World Cup. The Indian player Dhyan Chand, the most famous Indian hockey player, was described as a 'wizard' by the European press. However, India's recent performance have been below par and India is currently ranked 10th in the world.
Government has clarified on a recent RTI filed stating that India has not declared any sports as national game.
Cricket
Cricket in India:-
Cricket has a long history in India, and is the most popular sport by a wide margin in India. Recently, it won the 2011 Cricket World Cup by defeating Sri Lanka in the final match hosted by India. It is played on local, national, and international levels and enjoys consistent support from people in all parts of India. Its development has been closely tied up with the history of the country, mirroring many of the political and cultural developments around issues such as Caste, Religion, and Nationality. The highest profile rival of the Indian cricket team is the Pakistani cricket team.
Cricket is the most popular sport in India, but it is not the nation's official national sport (a distinction held by field hockey). The governing body, BCCI, was formed in December 1928. It is headed by Shashank Manohar.
The India national cricket team won the 1983 Cricket World Cup, the 2007 ICC World Twenty20, 2011 Cricket World Cup, and shared the 2002 ICC Champions Trophy with Sri Lanka. Domestic competitions include the Ranji Trophy, the Duleep Trophy, the Deodhar Trophy, the Irani Trophy, and the Challenger Series. In addition, BCCI conducts the Indian Premier League, a Twenty20competition.
Cricket in India:-
Cricket has a long history in India, and is the most popular sport by a wide margin in India. Recently, it won the 2011 Cricket World Cup by defeating Sri Lanka in the final match hosted by India. It is played on local, national, and international levels and enjoys consistent support from people in all parts of India. Its development has been closely tied up with the history of the country, mirroring many of the political and cultural developments around issues such as Caste, Religion, and Nationality. The highest profile rival of the Indian cricket team is the Pakistani cricket team.
Cricket is the most popular sport in India, but it is not the nation's official national sport (a distinction held by field hockey). The governing body, BCCI, was formed in December 1928. It is headed by Shashank Manohar.
The India national cricket team won the 1983 Cricket World Cup, the 2007 ICC World Twenty20, 2011 Cricket World Cup, and shared the 2002 ICC Champions Trophy with Sri Lanka. Domestic competitions include the Ranji Trophy, the Duleep Trophy, the Deodhar Trophy, the Irani Trophy, and the Challenger Series. In addition, BCCI conducts the Indian Premier League, a Twenty20competition.
Football
Football in India:-
Football was introduced to India during the British occupation, and in some areas of the country, it is equally as popular as cricket. India was an Asian powerhouse in the 1960s, finishing as runners up in the 1964 AFC Asian Cup, but gradually the standard of football has gone down compared to other countries, and India currently ranks 154th in the FIFA rankings as of 29 February 2012.
Football was introduced to India during the British occupation, and in some areas of the country, it is equally as popular as cricket. India was an Asian powerhouse in the 1960s, finishing as runners up in the 1964 AFC Asian Cup, but gradually the standard of football has gone down compared to other countries, and India currently ranks 154th in the FIFA rankings as of 29 February 2012.
Football
is, nevertheless, widely popular both as a spectator sport, and as a
participation sport, and is controlled by the Indian national team. The Yuva
Bharati Krirangan of Kolkata is the second largest non-auto racing stadium in
the world.
On 23 June 1937 at the Army Headquarters, Shimla, the All India Football
Federation was formed at a meeting of the representatives of Football
Associations of six regions where the game was very popular in those days. It
is the present body of Football in India.
Domestic
competitions for men's football include the I-League and the I-League 2nd
Division in the Indian League System, the annual knockout style Federation Cup
(India) and the Indian Super Cup, for women's the India women's football
championship.
Basketball
Basketball in India:-
Basketball is a popular sport in India. It is played in almost every school, although very few people take it professionally. India has both men's and women's national teams in basketball. Both teams have hired head coaches who have worked extensively with NBA players and now aim at the goal of popularizing the game in India.
Basketball
Basketball in India:-
Basketball is a popular sport in India. It is played in almost every school, although very few people take it professionally. India has both men's and women's national teams in basketball. Both teams have hired head coaches who have worked extensively with NBA players and now aim at the goal of popularizing the game in India.
The
Young Cagers, as the national team is nicknamed made one Olympic appearance in
basketball, and appeared 20 times in the Asian Championship. India is currently
ranked 58th in the world in basketball. It had their best result at the 1975
Asian Championship when the team surprisingly finished ahead of teams such as
the Philippines, one of Asia's basketball strongholds. Internationally, one of
the most recognized Indian basketball players has been Sozhasingarayer
Robinson. Affiliated into FIBA since 1936, India has one of Asia's longest
basketball traditions.
India's women had their best result at the recent 2011 FIBA Asia Championship for Women when they finished 6th. The team does have several internationally known players such as Geethu Anna Jose who was invited to tryouts for the WNBA in 2011.
Tennis
Tennis in India:-
Tennis is a popular sport among Indians in urban areas. Tennis has gained popularity after the exploits of Vijay Amritraj. India's fortunes in the Grand Slam singles have been unimpressive, although Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi have won many Men's Doubles and Mixed Doubles Grand Slam Titles.
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Chess
Chess in India:-
Chess has risen in popularity in India in the last few decades primarily due to its star player GM Vishwanathan
1. Vishwanathan Anand is in No:4 rank with rating: 2,791
2. Koneru Humpy is in No:4 rank with rating: 2,589
It is believed that the game originated from India as a successor to Chaturanga or Shatranj. The All India Chess Federation is the governing body for chess in India.
Motorsport
Motorsport in India:-
Motorsport is a popular spectator sport in India, although there are relatively few competitors compared to other sports due to the high costs of competing. On 1 February 2005, Narain Karthikeyan became India's first Formula One racing driver. On March 2007, he also became the first ever Indian-born driver to compete in a NASCAR Series.
He debuted in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series
in the Kroger 250. Force India F1 is a Formula One motor racing team. The team
was formed in October 2007, when a consortium led by Indian businessmen Vijay
Mallya and Michiel Mol bought the Spyker F1 team for € 88 million. After going
through 29 races without a point, Force India won their first Formula One World
Championship points and podium place when Giancarlo Fisichella finished second
in the 2009 Belgian Grand Prix. New Delhi hosted the Indian Grand Prix in 2011
at Buddh International Circuit in Greater Noida, 50 km from New Delhi. Karun
Chandhok was the test driver for Team Lotus & Narain Karthikeyan raced for
HRT during first half of 2011 Formula One season. Karun Chandhok participated
in Friday's practice session and Karthikeyan (stepped in for Daniel Ricciardo)
raced at the 2011 Indian Grand Prix; it was the first time two Indian drivers
associated with the same Formula One Grand Prix directly.
Motorsport in India:-
Motorsport is a popular spectator sport in India, although there are relatively few competitors compared to other sports due to the high costs of competing. On 1 February 2005, Narain Karthikeyan became India's first Formula One racing driver. On March 2007, he also became the first ever Indian-born driver to compete in a NASCAR Series.
Badminton
Badminton in India:-
Badminton is a popular sport in India. Indian shuttler Saina Nehwal is currently ranked fourth in the world and has been named the Most Promising Player of 2008 by the Badminton World Federation. This is the first ever achievement by any Indian shuttler, after Prakash Padukone and Pullela Gopichand, who both won the All England Open in 1980 and 2001 respectively.
Golf
Golf in India:-
Golf is a growing sport in India. It is especially popular among the wealthier classes and has not yet caught on with others due to its expense. The most successful Indian golfer is Jeev Milkha Singh, who has won 3 titles during the European Tour, 4 during the Japan Golf Tour, and 6 during the Asian Tour. Although his current world ranking is 36th, his highest ranking has been 28th (in March 2009). Singh has won the Asian Tour order of merit 2 times. Other Indians who have won the Asian tour order of merit are Jyoti Randhawa in 2002 (the first Indian to achieve this) and Arjun Atwal, who went on in 2010 to become the first India-born player to become a member of, and later won the U.S.-based PGA Tour.
Korfball
Korfball in India:-
Korfball is a game played by over 50 countries in the world. It is not as popular in India as other sports, but is still played by a significant amount of people. India came third place 2 times (2002 & 2006) in the Asia-Oceania Korfball Championships.
Volleyball
Volleyball in India:-
Volleyball is a sport played all over India, both in rural as well as urban
India. It is a popular recreation sport.
India is ranked 5th in Asia, and 27th
in the world. Doing well in the youth and junior levels, India came in second
in the 2003 World Youth Championships. Currently, a major problem for the sport
is the lack of sponsors. The Indian senior men's team is currently ranked 46th
in the world.Floorball
Floorball in India:-
Floorball is a sport which is gaining popularity in India. The Floorball Federation of India was started in 2001 and since then it has expanded rapidly. There has been 4 national Floorball
Bandy
Bandy in India:-
India has a national bandy team. The Bandy Federation of India takes care of Bandy in India. Its headquarters are in Mandi in Himachal Pradesh.
Bandy is
generally played in northern India where there is generally snow and ice. India
is one of seven countries in Asia and in total 28 to be a member of Federation
of International Bandy. BFI planned to send a team to the 2011 Asian Winter
Games in Astana-Almaty, but ultimately didn't. The international debut will
possibly take place at the first Asian Bandy Championships to be held in Almaty
in December 2012.Netball
Netball in India:-
Netball is a popular sport in India, especially among Indian women. India's national team is ranked 25th in the world and has played only very few matches. The team has failed to qualify for any
World Cups. Recently,
they have played 18 matches in total. In
the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi, India, netball was included as a medal
sport. However, the Indian team failed to win a medal.Ice Hockey
Ice Hockey in India:-
Ice Hockey is played in the colder parts of India including Kashmir, Ladakh, and parts of Himachal Pradesh.
Handball
Handball in India:-
India
has a handball team that started in 27 April 1989. Although it hasn't made any
impact at World stage.
The Indian Handball Federation manages handball in
India. Handball is a popular sport in India, played at local level in India,
but hasn't made it big in domestic level. India has yet to make an impact at
international level and the World Cup.
Throwball
Throwball in India:-
Throwball is gaining popularity in India as a competitive sport and Indian authorities of the game was instrumental in organizing Asian level and later, World level Association for the sport.
The Indian Handball Federation manages handball in
India. Handball is a popular sport in India, played at local level in India,
but hasn't made it big in domestic level. India has yet to make an impact at
international level and the World Cup.Throwball
Throwball in India:-
Throwball is gaining popularity in India as a competitive sport and Indian authorities of the game was instrumental in organizing Asian level and later, World level Association for the sport.
Throwballis a popular sport, played in
gym class, colleges, and clubs throughout Asian countries such as India, Sri
Lanka, Korea, Thailand, Malaysia, Japan, China, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, and Bangladesh.
It is also slowly taking popularity up by other countries such as France,
Australia, Brazil, Canada, and the United Kingdom. The Junior Throwball team of
India visited Sri Lanka in 1982. Vijay Dahiya from Haryana was captain of the
team. Indian team won test series.Kabaddi
Kabaddi in India:-
Kabaddi
is the national sport of India. It is one of the most popular sports in India,
played mainly among people in villages. It is regarded as a team-contact sport
as a recreational form of combat training. Two teams
occupy opposite halves of
a small field and take turns sending a raider into the other half, in order to
win points by tagging/wrestling members of the opposing team; the raider then
tries to return to his own half while holding his breath and chanting
"kabaddi, kabaddi, kabaddi" during the whole raid. India has taken
part in four Asian Games in kabaddi, and won gold in all of them. There are
four forms of kabaddi played in India are Amar, Suranjeevi, Huttuttoo, and
Gaminee. Amar is generally played in Punjab, Haryana, America, Canada, and
other parts of the world, mostly by Punjabi sportsmen.
Suranjeevi
is the most played form of kabaddi in India and the world. This is the form
used in international matches generally and played in Asian Games. Huttuttoo
was played by men in Maharashtra State. Huttuttoo is a much tougher version of
kabaddi. India won the Kabaddi World championship in 2007, beating Iran 29-19.
Lacrosse
Lacrosse in India:-
Lacrosse is a fairly new sport in India which was introduced in 2006. The governing body for Lacrosse in India
is the Indian National Lacrosse
Federation. It is now being played by schools in Shillong, Meghalaya, and
mostly unknown in the rest of the country. It is now being considered the
national sport of india
Lacrosse in India:-
Lacrosse is a fairly new sport in India which was introduced in 2006. The governing body for Lacrosse in India
is the Indian National Lacrosse
Federation. It is now being played by schools in Shillong, Meghalaya, and
mostly unknown in the rest of the country. It is now being considered the
national sport of india
American football
Introduced in 2011 by various American football figures, including Mike Ditka
and Ron Jaworski, the Elite Football League of India will be India's first
professional American football league.
The first League play is scheduled to
being in 2012, and will feature teams from eight different Indian cities,
including Mumbai, Kolkata, Delhi, and others.
Polo
Polo
Polo in India:-
India is considered the cradle of modern polo. Babar, the founder of the Mughal dynasty in the 15th century, firmly established its popularity.
India is considered the cradle of modern polo. Babar, the founder of the Mughal dynasty in the 15th century, firmly established its popularity.
In
India, the popularity of polo has waned and risen many times. However, it has
never lost its regal status. In the last few decades, the emergence of
privately owned teams has ensured a renaissance in Indian polo. Today, polo is
not just restricted to the royalty and the Indian Army.
Baseball
Baseball
Baseball in India and Softball in India:-
Baseball has recently started to show up in India. Softball is played in school and at the university level.
Baseball has recently started to show up in India. Softball is played in school and at the university level.
Two Indian pitchers were selected after the Million
Dollar Arm competition to play in the USA. A talent hunt kind of competition
was conducted by MLB to find baseball talents in India and found the teenagers
Rinku Singh and Dinesh Patel. They were taken to the USA and received good
coaching. Now these two players are selected to play for Pittsburgh Pirates
minor league organizations. Rinku Singh played for the Canberra Cavalry of the
Australian Baseball League for the competition's inaugural 2010-11 season.Boxing
Boxing in India
Boxing is one of the most enjoyable profiled sports in India. India has not
produced a world champion in any
weight class, although it is a regular
medal-holder at the Asian Games and Commonwealth Games. In November 2007,
India's Mary Kom won the best boxer title and also secured a hattrick of
titles. During the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Vijender Kumar won a bronze medal in
the middleweight boxing category, and Akhil Kumar and Jitender Kumar qualified
for the quarterfinals. Akhil Kumar, Jitender Kumar, A.L. Lakra, and Dinesh
Kumar each won a bronze medal at the 2008 World Championship. Vijender Kumar is
current world no.1 on middleweight class. Recently, an India's lonely women
boxer M.C Mary Kom was also won bronze medal at London Olympic Games, 2012.
Cycling
Cycling in India:-
The history of cycling in India dates back to 1938. The Cycling Federation of India takes care of the sport.
Cycling in India:-
The history of cycling in India dates back to 1938. The Cycling Federation of India takes care of the sport.
Table Tennis
Table Tennis in India:-
Table Tennis is a popular indoor recreation sport in India, which has caught on in states like West Bengal and Tamil Nadu.
The Table Tennis Federation of India
is the official sports body. India, which is currently ranked 30th in the
world, has produced a single player ranked in the top 50, Sharat Kamal.
Equestrian
Table Tennis is a popular indoor recreation sport in India, which has caught on in states like West Bengal and Tamil Nadu.
The Table Tennis Federation of India
is the official sports body. India, which is currently ranked 30th in the
world, has produced a single player ranked in the top 50, Sharat Kamal.Equestrian
Equestrian sport in India:-
India also has a wide following in various equestrian sports like show jumping,
eventing, dressage,
endurance and tentpegging. Supported by the Equestrian
Federation of India, eventing is the most popular of the five, with teams
representing the country at most Asian Games, winning a bronze medal in the
2002 and 2006 games. India has been represented at the Olympics twice, by Wing
Commander I.J.Lamba, and Imtiaz Anees.
Kayaking
Kayaking
Kayaking in India:-
Flat water and sea kayaking
Indian flat water kayakers are emerging powerhouse in the Asian circuit. Aside from professional flat water kayaking, there is very limited recreational kayaking. Potential to generate interest in flat water kayaking is held by leisure resorts located near the sea or other water bodies. But more often than not, Indian tourists consider kayaking a one-time activity and not a sport to be pursued.
Whitewater kayaking has its rabid enthusiasts concentrated in the
north towards Himalayas and some in the south in Bangalore in Karnataka. Most
of these enthusiasts are or were Whitewater Raft guides who took to the sport
of whitewater kayaking. Some of the prominent whitewater kayakers include
Abhinav Kala, Shalabh Gahlaut, and John Pollard. Many of them have notched
first descents (similar to Climbing Ascents) on rivers in India and Nepal.
'Bangalore Kayakers' or 'Southern River Runners' are India's first amateur group of white water kayakers. Based out Bangalore, they currently explore rivers around Western Ghats. The lure for most of these folks is pure adventure. Whitewater Kayaking in India allows for exploration of places where, literally, no human has been before.
Mountain Biking
Flat water and sea kayaking
Indian flat water kayakers are emerging powerhouse in the Asian circuit. Aside from professional flat water kayaking, there is very limited recreational kayaking. Potential to generate interest in flat water kayaking is held by leisure resorts located near the sea or other water bodies. But more often than not, Indian tourists consider kayaking a one-time activity and not a sport to be pursued.
'Bangalore Kayakers' or 'Southern River Runners' are India's first amateur group of white water kayakers. Based out Bangalore, they currently explore rivers around Western Ghats. The lure for most of these folks is pure adventure. Whitewater Kayaking in India allows for exploration of places where, literally, no human has been before.
Mountain Biking
Mountain Biking
Mountain
biking is becoming a popular sport. For the last six years, MTB Himachal has
been organized
regularly by HASTPA, an NGO. It is attended by a number of
national and international participants, such as Indian Army, Indian Air Force,
ITBP and a number of young and energetic MTB individual riders from cities like
Pune, Bangalore, Delhi and Chandigarh. Last year, the government of Sikkim
(Department of Tourism) introduced its own MTB race with South East Asia's
biggest prize money. The second edition saw 48 professional participants from
across the globe.
Tour of Nilgiris is a major non-competitive/non-commercial touring event in South Asia today, that covers 1,000 kilometers in under ten days.
Tour of Nilgiris is a major non-competitive/non-commercial touring event in South Asia today, that covers 1,000 kilometers in under ten days.
Climbing
Climbing in India:-
Rock
Climbing has been around in India for a long time. Presumably, the mountaineers
headed for Himalayan
ascents had to train somewhere, and would have imparted
some of the initial technical Climbing culture. Documented evidence of rock
climbing is associated with bouldering and climbing around Bangalore's famous
Ramanagaram crags and Turahalli boulders, around Western Ghats closer to Mumbai
and Pune. Dinesh KS (Dinni) of Wildcraft Equipment was climbing in Bangalore
around 1980s as part of a continuing tradition of climbing around the area. Deccan
and south of Vindhyas in India are considered the prime locations for rock
climbing in India today. More for reason that there is an established climbing
tradition associated with Mumbai, Pune, and Bangalore. For example, Hampi is
considered the bouldering capital of India. Climbers congregate here during New
Year's Eve and climb through the weeks preceding and after. Badami is
considered highly for its free and sport routes (numbering over 200).
Sepak Takraw
Sepak Takraw in India:-
Sepak
takraw is not very well known in India, although it was a demonstration sport
at the Delhi Asian Games
in 1982. The Sepak Takraw Federation with its
headquarters in Nagpur, Maharashtra, was founded on 10 September 1982. It is recognized
by the Indian Olympic Association and Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports
since 2000. So far, the Federation has conducted 14 Senior, seven Junior, and
six Sub-Junior National Championships in different cities and is also
conducting Federation Cup Tournament and zonal National Championship.
Winter Sports
Winter Sports
Winter Sports in India:-
Winter Sports are common in India in the Himalayan areas. Ski tournaments take place every winter in
Winter Sports are common in India in the Himalayan areas. Ski tournaments take place every winter in
Archery
Archery in India:-
Archery in India:-
The game of archery has got historical significance as all royals in the
ancient days used to practice archery.
Modern day archery in India started in
early 1970s before its introduction in Olympics in 1972, and it was formalized
in 1973 when Archery Association of India (AAI) came into existence. AAI has
since then been promoting an organization for the sport. India has been
producing some world class players who are the medal hopefuls in International
events of Archery.
Athletics and Triathlon
Athletics in India:-
Anu Vaidyanathan is an Indian Triathlete who is the first and only Asian to compete in Ultraman.
Weightlifting and Powerlifting
Weightlifting in India:-
Karnam Malleswari won a bronze medal in the 2000 Summer Olympics at Sydney,
which made her the first
Indian woman to win an Olympic medal. In 1992, she
participated in the Asian championship which took place in Thailand and stood
second and won three silver medals. She also won three bronze medals in the world
championship.
The headquarters of Indian Weightlifting Federation is at New Delhi. The Federation is affiliated to the Indian Olympic Association (Delhi), and is also a member of Asian Weightlifting Federation (Tehran) and International Weightlifting Federation (Budapest). The present General Secretary of Indian Weightlifting Federation is Balbir Singh.
The headquarters of Indian Weightlifting Federation is at New Delhi. The Federation is affiliated to the Indian Olympic Association (Delhi), and is also a member of Asian Weightlifting Federation (Tehran) and International Weightlifting Federation (Budapest). The present General Secretary of Indian Weightlifting Federation is Balbir Singh.
Billiards and Snookers
Billiards in India:-
India has been a force to reckon with in world billiards competitions. An impressive assembly of great
champions like Wilson Jones, Michael Ferreira, and
Geet Sethi has underlined the powerhouse status of the country. Snooker
Federation of India, the apex body, play a proactive role in popularizing the
game. Many such efforts have been done by the Billiards and Snooker Federation
of India in the recent past to enhance the popularity of the game in the
country. Several training camps for identifying budding talent and providing
them regional and state sponsorship have been organized by the Billiards and
Snooker Federation in various parts of the country.
India has been a force to reckon with in world billiards competitions. An impressive assembly of great
Wrestling
Wrestling in India:-
Considered as one of the most ancient and oldest sports in the world, wrestling in India has a glorious past.
The game of wrestling started its journey in
India several centuries back, during the Middle Ages. Wrestling is counted
amongst the most prestigious and oldest events in the Olympic Games, as it was
included in the Olympics in 708 BC. In the ancient times, wrestling in India
was mainly used as a wonderful way to stay physically fit. It was also used as
a great way of military exercise without any weapons. Wrestling in India is
also known as `dangal`, and it is the basic form of a wrestling tournament.
Wrestling in India is most famously known as Malla-Yuddha. There are also
mentions of wrestling in the ancient times. These can be found in the great
epic of Indian history. Mahabharata has a huge mention about the game of
wrestling in India. One of the premier characters in Mahabharata, Bhima was
considered to be a great wrestler of that time, and some of the other great
wrestlers included Jarasandha, Duryodhan, Karna, etc.
Wrestling in India:-
Considered as one of the most ancient and oldest sports in the world, wrestling in India has a glorious past.
Gymnastics
Gymnastics in India:-
Gymnastics came of age in India, when at the 2010 Commonwealth Games, Ashish
Kumar won the first-ever
medal in gymnastics for India, he also won a bronze
medal. However soon after the win, the President of the Gymnastics Federation
of India, controversially asked Ashish's Chief Coach from the erstwhile Soviet
Union, Vladimir Chertkov: "Is this all that you can deliver, a
bronze?", the comment was widely reported in the press. Later the coach
also revealed that "In Aug 2009, we had no equipment. Ashish trained on
hard floor till Feb 2010, and then we got equipment around 20 years old."
Also the Federation announced that no Indian team would travel to Rotterdam for
the World Championships in October, which would mean that Indian gymnasts
automatically not qualify as a team for the 2012 Summer Olympics.
