Yogeshwar Dutt is our Icon Player. At 33, he’s achieved what many in wrestling can only dream of.

Born on November 2nd, 1982, Yogeshwar is a grappler with nerves of steel. He lost his father just nine days before he was to take a flight to Doha for the 2006 Asian Games. A knee injury further tried to dent his confidence. But, he didn’t give up and came home with a shining bronze that he won in the 60 kilogram category – a befitting tribute to his father.

Career

2003 Commonwealth: Won a Gold Medal.

2004 Summer Olympics: Participated in Men’s freestyle 55 kg category and stood 18th.

2006 Asian Games (15th Edition, Doha): Won a bronze in Men’s 60 kg category.

2008 Summer Olympics (Beijing): This was his second appearance at the Olympics.

In the pre-quarterfinals, he beat Kazakhstan’s Baurzhan Orazgaliyev 8-3. But he lost to Kenichi Yumoto of Japan 3-6 in the quarter-finals of the 60 kg freestyle event. He was ranked 9th.

2010 Commonwealth Games: Stepped on the podium with a shining gold medal.

2012 Summer Olympics (London): Won a bronze and became the second Indian to achieve this feat in the country’s wrestling history.

By defeating North Korean Ri Jong-Myong in the bronze medal bout, Yogeshwar also gave India its fifth medal at the Olympics.