Leslie Xavier : Articles

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Leslie Xavier
Vinesh Phogat and Sonam Malik’s Nonsensical Suspensions a Way for WFI to Regain Control
13 Aug 2021
Vinesh Phogat and Sonam Malik’s suspensions point towards a deeper malaise within the wrestling fraternity of India. The patriarchal culture has been questioned by young women in the sport and to…
Leslie Xavier
Truth and Hope in a Post Olympics Void
10 Aug 2021
The Games themselves are larger than the trappings of our modern society, and will withstand this period and many more to come. We, the people, must never stop believing. The Tokyo Olympics, staged…
Leslie Xavier
Neeraj Chopra, the Aberration That Needs to Become the Norm
08 Aug 2021
Neeraj Chopra’s gold is a celebration but also a reminder that we need to do more when it comes to sports. We need structure, deep networks to work the grassroots and diligent, fail-safe policies. We…
Leslie Xavier
Tokyo Olympics: A Six-minute Look at the Real Bajrang Punia
07 Aug 2021
In almost pulp Bollywood hero style, Bajrang Punia entered the arena for his bronze medal match with only one focus — to play the unchained game of a wrestler set free. Daulet Niyazbekov of…
Leslie Xavier
The Pain Of Bajrang Punia in His Quest for Olympic Success
06 Aug 2021
Forever the prodigal son of Indian wrestling, Bajrang Punia’s debut Olympics is turning into a showcase of bout management. The injury suffered in June has turned an aggressive technician into a…
Leslie Xavier
Tears of Hope, Screams of Justice: This Indian Women’s Hockey Team Inspires Us to Change; It’s Time We Did
06 Aug 2021
With their never say die attitude, their untiring teamplay and even with their tears at the end, the Indian women’s hockey team players have inspired a nation towards a sport that has suffered hugely…
Leslie Xavier
Tokyo Olympics: Ravi Dahiya’s Silver, Deepak Punia’s Near Miss and the Lessons for Indian Wrestling
05 Aug 2021
The set of variables within wrestling updates every Olympic cycle. The top nations, the contenders, draw up novel strategies and tactics that make and break bouts at the business end of the…
Leslie Xavier
Fearless Attacker Turns Cautious Counter Wrestler: What is Ailing Vinesh Phogat?
05 Aug 2021
Famed for being a lightning fast, quick-on-the-feet attacking wrestler, Vinesh Phogat looked a shadow of her former self, reliant mostly on counter attacks to garner points for victory at the Tokyo…
Leslie Xavier
Tokyo Olympics: Ravi Dahiya Shows Technique and Composure, Puts Indian Wrestling Among the Medals
04 Aug 2021
Coming back from a sizeable deficit early in the second period of the 57-kg freestyle semifinals, Ravi Dahiya displayed tremendous mental strength to turn the bout around and, at least, match the…
Leslie Xavier
Tokyo Olympics: Lovlina Borgohain Settles for Bronze, But Not Before an Epic Fight Against Odds
04 Aug 2021
Borgohain left the ring proud, earning respect by the way she refused to be intimidated by Busenaz Surmeneli’s reputation, or the stinging combinations she is a master of, to earn India’s only medal…