Sports & Olympic Medals — Set 14
Haryana GK · खेल और ओलंपिक पदक · Questions 131–140 of 160
Haryana's Mamta Kumari and Pooja Gehlot are associated with which sport?
Correct Answer: B. Wrestling
The correct answer is Wrestling. Mamta Kumari and Pooja Gehlot are wrestlers from Haryana who have represented India at international wrestling competitions including the World Championships and Commonwealth Games. Women's wrestling in Haryana has grown significantly after the success of the Phogat sisters, with multiple women wrestlers emerging from the state's rural regions. This topic is frequently tested in competitive examinations such as RRB NTPC, SSC, and UPSC.
Which prestigious award did Neeraj Chopra win after the Tokyo 2020 Olympics for his Gold medal performance?
Correct Answer: C. Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award
Neeraj Chopra was awarded the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award (India's highest sports honor) for his historic Gold medal performance in javelin throw at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. He received the award at the National Sports Awards ceremony in 2021. He was also awarded the Padma Shri. His achievement of winning India's first-ever Olympic gold in athletics warranted the highest sporting recognition.
Haryana produces a high proportion of India's wrestlers. What role does the 'Dangal' festival play in this?
Correct Answer: B. Traditional wrestling competitions at village fairs that keep wrestling culture alive at the grassroots
Dangal — traditional wrestling competitions held at village fairs, religious festivals, and harvest celebrations — keeps wrestling culture alive at the grassroots level in Haryana. These events attract large crowds and give wrestlers an opportunity to compete locally and gain recognition. The dangal circuit in Haryana has been a breeding ground for many national and international wrestlers who started by competing at village-level dangals.
The Asian Wrestling Championships have been hosted by India at which venue in Haryana?
Correct Answer: C. Sonipat SAI NTC complex
The Asian Wrestling Championships have been organized at various venues in India, including at the SAI National Training Centre in Sonipat, Haryana. Sonipat's wrestling infrastructure is world-class and has been used for hosting international wrestling events. The proximity of this facility to Delhi makes it convenient for international delegations while serving India's top wrestlers.
Haryana has produced wrestlers who train in traditional 'mitti' (earth) wrestling. Which famous venue in Haryana is associated with traditional wrestling?
Correct Answer: B. Jhajjar's multiple traditional akharas
Jhajjar district in Haryana has numerous traditional akharas (wrestling pits) where wrestlers train in mitti (earth) wrestling, which is the traditional form. These akharas, often associated with specific villages or wrestling families, maintain the ancient Indian wrestling tradition. Many Olympic medal-winning wrestlers from Jhajjar (like Bajrang Punia and Deepak Punia) started their training in these traditional akharas.
How old was Aman Sehrawat when he became India's youngest Olympic medallist at Paris 2024?
Correct Answer: B. 21 years
Aman Sehrawat was 21 years old when he won the Bronze medal in wrestling (57 kg) at the Paris 2024 Olympics, becoming India's youngest individual Olympic medallist. Born on July 18, 2003, he was part of a new generation of Haryana wrestlers emerging after the successes of Sushil Kumar, Bajrang Punia, and Ravi Dahiya. His youth suggests many more Olympic campaigns ahead.
Which Haryana wrestler was banned for four years for doping violation, effectively ending his competitive career?
Correct Answer: C. Narsingh Yadav
Narsingh Pancham Yadav (not from Haryana — from Maharashtra, but representing Wrestling Federation of India) was involved in a doping controversy ahead of Rio 2016. This question highlights the importance of clean sport. In Haryana's wrestling context, Sushil Kumar's legal issues (related to an alleged murder) after his retirement overshadowed his sporting legacy, not doping. Haryana wrestlers have generally been known for clean competition.
The wrestling tradition of Haryana traces its roots to which ancient text that mentions wrestling as a noble art?
Correct Answer: B. Mahabharata (which describes wrestling and physical combat at Kurukshetra)
The Mahabharata, believed to have been set in the Kurukshetra region of Haryana, describes physical combat, wrestling, and martial arts as noble activities practiced by warriors. The Pandava prince Bhima was known for his wrestling prowess. This ancient association of Haryana with physical strength and wrestling has contributed to the region's enduring wrestling culture.
Haryana's Seema Bisla won a Bronze medal at which major international wrestling competition?
Correct Answer: D. Commonwealth Games 2022
Seema Bisla won a Bronze medal in women's freestyle wrestling (50 kg) at the Commonwealth Games 2022 in Birmingham. She is from Jhajjar district of Haryana. Seema's achievement at CWG 2022 was part of India's strong wrestling performance at those games, where multiple Haryana wrestlers contributed to India's medal tally.
In which year did the Haryana government start giving cash rewards to medal-winning athletes, becoming one of the first states to do so?
Correct Answer: C. 2014 onwards (significantly increased under Khattar government)
While Haryana had some form of athlete rewards before, the cash reward system was significantly expanded and formalized under Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar's government from 2014 onwards. The reward amounts were substantially increased to the current levels (Rs 6 crore for Olympic Gold). This policy upgrade was a key factor in encouraging athletes and creating a sports culture of excellence in Haryana.