Indian Flagbearers at the Olympics

Abhinav Bindra has been given the honour of being the Indian flagbearer at the 2016 Rio Olympics. Bindra is well known as being the first (and till date, only) individual Olympic gold medallist for India. Here, we take a look at 5 other individuals to carry flag at previous Games.

1. Sushil Kumar, London 2012

Sushil Kumar was given the honour of carrying India’s flag in the 2012 London Olympics. Kumar was a bronze medallist in the 2008 Games. He lost to Andriy Stadnik in the first round of the 66 kg freestyle wrestling event, leaving his medal hopes hanging by a thread.

He defeated Doug Schwab in the first repechage round and Albert Batyrov in the second round. In the bronze medal match on 20 August 2008, Kumar beat Leonid Spiridonov 3:1.

Also Read: Indian wrestling at the OLympics

Following this, Kumar became the first Indian to win a world title in wrestling. He beat the local favourite Alan Gogaev of Russia 3–1 in the finals in the 66 kg category. He has also won gold at the Commonwealth Games of 2010 and 2014.

Thus, Kumar found himself carrying India’s flag in London, 2012. He matched expectations by claiming silver in the 66 kg category.