When you delve into the narrative of wrestler Virender Singh Yadav and his biography, one can’t help but question why his compelling story has yet to be adapted into a biopic—albeit for reasons that may be misguided
Virender, an accomplished wrestler honored with prestigious awards like the Padma Shri and the Arjuna award, harbors a backstory rife with heartbreak and prejudice.
Who is Virender Singh Yadav as deaf wrestler returns Padma Shri award to PM Narendra Modi, biography, age, disability, story and hometown state
A day after Bajrang Punia returned his Padma Shri Award to PM Narendra Modi, 2005 Summer Deaflympics gold medal winner Virender Singh Yadav announced he will do the same as a sign of protest against Brij Bhushan Singh’s close aide Sanjay Singh getting elected as the President of Wrestling Federation of India. Virender Singh Yadav, also known as ‘Goonga Pehalwan’, received the prestigious Padma Shri Award back in 2021 and before that, he was honoured with the prestigious Arjuna Award in 2015.
Virender Singh (Goonga Pehelwan) 01 Apr, 1986 Haryana, India
Won gold medal at the Deaflympics of 2005, held in Melbourne
Won bronze medal at the Deaflympics of 2009, held in Taiwan
Won gold medals in 74 kg category at the Deaflympics of 2013 and 2017 that were held in Bulgaria and Turkey.
Bagged a silver and a bronze medal at the World Deaf Wrestling Championships of 2008 and 2012.
Despite the insensitivity that accompanies labeling someone as ‘goonga’ (mute), Virender Singh Yadav wears this epithet with pride, transforming it into a cornerstone of his reputation in the realm of freestyle wrestling.
Born deaf and mute, Virender embarked on his journey into ‘Dangals’ at the tender age of 12. By the age of 15, he had already clinched the title of ‘Nau Sher’ (9 Lions) in Delhi, a distinction awarded to those who triumph in nine bouts over nine weeks.
His trajectory hinted at a destiny marked by greatness, evident in his victory at the National Cadet Championship in 2001 under the 76 kg category.
मैं भी अपनी बहन और देश की बेटी के लिए पदम् श्री लौटा दूँगा, माननीय प्रधानमंत्री श्री @narendramodi जी को, मुझे गर्व है आपकी बेटी और अपनी बहन @SakshiMalik पर… जी क्यों…?
पर देश के सबसे उच्च खिलाड़ियों से भी अनुरोध करूँगा वो भी अपना निर्णय दे…@sachin_rt @Neeraj_chopra1 pic.twitter.com/MfVeYdqnkL
— Virender Singh (@GoongaPahalwan) December 22, 2023
साक्षी-पूनिया के सपोर्ट में गूंगा पहलवान लौटाएंगे पद्मश्री
◆ डेफलंपिक्स के स्वर्ण पदक विजेता वीरेंद्र सिंह यादव ने किया एलान
◆ वीरेंद्र को 2021 में पद्म श्री मिला था #PadmaShriAward #Padmashree | Virender Singh Yadav pic.twitter.com/G0zQ39Su6Y
— News24 (@news24tvchannel) December 23, 2023
However, the shortsightedness of the Wrestling Federation of India thwarted what could have been a life-altering moment for him. Despite the potential for international competitions, he was denied the opportunity due to his deafness, with the reasoning that he “wouldn’t be able to hear the whistle.”
Achievements at Deaflympics
In contrast to this setback, Virender remained undeterred, actively participating in Dangals throughout the country. In 2005, he discovered the ‘Deaflympics,’ a platform where he went on to secure gold in 2005 (Melbourne), 2013 (Bulgaria), and 2017 (Turkey), along with a bronze in Taipei in 2009.
Recognition for his achievements came in 2016 with the Arjuna Award, yet the ‘Khel Ratna’ eluded him for unspecified reasons.
It wasn’t until 2021, thanks to the persistent efforts of Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju, that Virender was conferred with the Padma Shri.
Who is Virender Singh?
For those unfamiliar, born on April 1, 1986, Virender Singh Yadav is an accomplished Indian freestyle wrestler, competing in the 74 kg weight division.
Over the course of four appearances at the Deaflympics, he has secured an impressive three Gold Medals and one bronze.
Virender’s success extends to the world stage, where he clinched the world title at the world championship.
Specifically, he achieved gold at the 2016 World Deaf Wrestling Championship in Tehran, Iran, secured silver at the 2008 edition in Yerevan, Armenia, and earned bronze at the 2012 championship in Sofia, Bulgaria.
This outstanding performance amounts to a total of seven medals across seven international events in which Virender has competed.
Acknowledging his excellence, Virender Yadav was honored with the Rajiv Gandhi State Sports Award, presented by the Government of Delhi, India.
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