It was a proud moment for wrestling coaches Rupinder Kaur and Vinod Kumar Dahiya when eight students from their Melbourne National Wrestling Academy featured on the medal tally at the 2022 Youth National Wrestling Championships held in Sydney.
Rupali Dhiman ( 57 kg) and Jayden Singh ( 50kg) brought home the gold while
Vismad Dhillon (27KG) Afreen Kaur and Ekjot Sekhon (45 kg) took the silver and Shehraazdeep Kaur (63 kg), Angat Singh ( 60 kg) and Jannatpreet Kaur (45 kg) won the bronze.
Both Ms Kaur and Mr Dahiya are wrestling professionals who have received numerous medals and accolades including the Bharat Gaurav Award 2021. They are passionate about wrestling but they feel it often gets eclipsed by other sports.
Young children at the Melbourne National Wrestling Academy with coach Vinod Dahiya and Rupinder Kaur. Credit: Supplied/Vinod Kumar Dahiya.
She represented India to win the silver medal at the National Games and the bronze medal at the Commonwealth Championship.
An Olympic athlete Mr Dahiya has been the Victorian champion in 2011, 2012, and 2013. He has also been five times Australian National Champion from 2011 to 2015.
Mr Dhahiya said children in the academy enjoy their training routine.
“This sport is not only a physical game but a mind game too. It gives them confidence as well as they understand the concept of respecting all and elders which is a basic rule for wrestling” added Mr Dahiya
Children and coaches at the Melbourne National Wrestling Academy Credit: Supplied. Vinod Kumar Dahiya Source: Supplied / Vinod Dahiya
“I want them to achieve all that I couldn’t, “ she said wistfully.
Coach Rupinder Kaur and Vinod Dahiya with some of the Academy children. Credit: Supplied/ Vinod Dahiya
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