Indian judoka Harsh Tokas is aiming to script history at the Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow, with the 81kg competitor setting his sights on becoming the first Indian to win a judo gold at the Games. The 23-year-old, who will be making his Commonwealth Games debut, said he has left no stone unturned in his preparations and is looking forward to competing on one of the biggest stages of his career. "The preparation is going really well. It has been at a next-level intensity for the past 2-3 months. I have given it my absolute 100% effort. This is the first time I've played at this level; it's going to be a unique experience. I am competing in the 81kg category. As for the challenges, I'll only find out the specifics once I'm there, but the plan is to play freely. The goal is definitely gold. No one from our country has ever won gold in this event at the Commonwealth Games, so bringing back gold would create history and be a wonderful achievement for the nation,...
- After a meeting that lasted seven hours, Mr Thakur, flanked by some of India's most celebrated wrestlers, in a news conference assured that the government will support the wrestlers at every step of their battle.
- "An oversight committee will be set up. It will take four weeks to give a report. Any allegation, whether sex harassment or financial wrongdoing, we will dive deep and investigate them. We will take action after that," Mr Thakur said.
- After meeting Mr Thakur, the wrestlers called off their protest against alleged sex harassment and misappropriation of funds.
- "Till the time the investigation is not complete, a committee will see to the day to day working (of the Wrestling Federation of India)...I thank the athletes for speaking to me," Mr Thakur said.
- Olympic medallist Bajrang Punia said the minister has assured he is with the wrestlers at every step. "Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also always supported our athletes," Mr Punia said.
- The Indian Olympic Association has also announced a seven-member panel to investigate the allegations against Mr Singh. The panel will have noted athletes Mary Kom, Dola Banerjee, Alaknanda Ashok, Yogeshwar Dutt and Sahdev Yadav as members.
- Mr Singh has denied the allegations and refused to resign. "If I speak, there will be a tsunami...I am not here because of someone's charity. I have been elected by the people," he told reporters in Uttar Pradesh's Gonda.
- Earlier, Mr Thakur had dialled Mr Singh and cautioned him against making any statement to the media.
- Ahead of the meeting on Friday night, the wrestlers had sent a letter to PT Usha, the head of the Indian Olympic body, seeking action against Mr Singh.
- "Vinesh Phogat was mentally harassed and tortured by the WFI chief after she missed out on an Olympic medal in Tokyo. She almost contemplated suicide," the wrestlers wrote in their letter to Ms Usha, adding "they fear for their lives". Ms Phogat has agreed to reveal the identity of the sex harassment survivors to the Indian Olympic Association committee.
from NDTV News- Special https://ift.tt/N1iLRH4
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