India

Google Doodle recognises Indian wrestler Khashaba Dadasaheb Jadhav

The 15th of January celebrates the 97th birthday of Khashaba Dadasaheb Jadhav, the first independent Indian athlete to win an Olympic medal.

Today’s Google Doodle honours the wrestler affectionately known as “Pocket Dynamo.”

Jadhav won a bronze medal at the 1952 Summer Olympics in Helsinki by defeating players from Germany, Mexico, and Canada. However, the Maharaj of Kolhapur recognised the potential of the wrestler prior to 1952. He chose to support Jadhav’s participation in the 1948 London Olympics. Despite not being familiar with international wrestling standards and competing against highly-experienced opponents, Jadhav placed sixth, the highest finish ever for an Indian wrestler in those times.

Early in his career, it is stated that his skilled approach and quick feet made him one of the top athletes. Jadhav had trained with his father (who was also a wrestler) and other professional wrestlers to win state and national titles.

After winning the Olympics in Helsinki, Jadhav couldn’t keep wrestling because he hurt his knee. Later, he became a police officer.

After his death in 1984, the Maharashtra government gave him the Chhatrapati Puraskar posthumously. The venue for wrestling at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi was also named in his honor.

 

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Nisha

Hi, my name is Nisha and I'm an educational journalist based in India. I've always been passionate about the power of education to transform lives, and that's what led me to pursue a career in journalism focused on this area. I completed my Bachelor's degree in English from Hindu College in Delhi in 2013 and then went on to earn my Master's in Journalism and Mass Communication from the Indian Institute of Mass Communication in 2017. During my studies, I also completed several short-term courses on Education in India, Sociology, and other related subjects to deepen my knowledge in this field. I'm particularly interested in improving access to quality education in rural areas, where students often face significant challenges. I've worked on a number of initiatives to address this issue, including advocating for better policies, resources, and practices that can make a difference. As an educational journalist, I'm passionate about using my platform to highlight important issues in the education space. I've covered a wide range of topics, including the impact of technology in the classroom, innovative approaches to teaching and learning, and the challenges facing students from marginalized communities. One of the things I love most about my work is the opportunity to constantly learn and grow. I'm an avid reader and believe that reading is key to expanding one's knowledge and perspective. I'm always seeking out new ideas and insights to help me better understand the world around me. In summary, as an educational journalist, I'm dedicated to using my skills and expertise to make a positive impact in the field of education. I'm committed to improving access to quality education for all students and to using my platform to raise awareness about important issues in this area.

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