India’s Future Fighters

In a recent global tournament, a new generation of Indian women wrestlers announced their arrival

- Deepti Patwardhan

There wasn’t a hint of nerves as Savita Dalal squared up for her first final in her first-ever international tournament. The 16-year-old Indian, dressed in the team’s orange colours, went straight for her opponent’s leg to throw her off-balance, moving into a 4-0 lead within 15 seconds. Savita maintained the aggression throughout and, with over a minute left on the clock, pinned Uzbekistan’s Ulmeken Esenbaeva to win the bout 8-4.