Tokyo Olympics, wrestling: Bajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogat and Co. eye gold - full India schedule and watch live

India’s wrestling contingent, including Bajrang Punia and Vinesh Phogat, will begin its Tokyo 2020 Olympics campaign at the Makuhari Messe Hall in Chiba next week.

Wrestling events at Tokyo begin from August 1, however, the first Indian wrestler to compete will only be on Tuesday (August 3) when Sonam Malik takes the mat in the women’s freestyle 62kg event.

India will have seven freestyle wrestlers -- four women and three men -- competing at Tokyo 2020. This will be India’s joint-largest Olympic wrestling contingent alongside Rio 2016.

Sakshi Malik brought a bronze back from Rio – India’s first medal in women’s wrestling and fifth overall in the sport.

The strongest medal hopes in Tokyo are Bajrang Punia in the men’s 65kg and Vinesh Phogat in the women’s 53kg. Both are reigning Asian champions in their respective categories and former world championship medal winners. Their form heading into Tokyo has also been good.

Bajrang Punia suffered an injury scare barely a month before the Tokyo Olympics started. He had to withdraw from the semi-finals of the Ali Aliyev tournament in Russia after suffering a knee injury. Bajrang, however, has reiterated that he has recovered.

The 26-year-old, Vinesh Phogat, has emerged as a global superstar and will be one of the top medal contenders in her division. In the run-up to the Tokyo Olympics, Vinesh won a gold medal in each of the four tournaments she participated in.

Vinesh Phogat is the only Olympian in the Indian wrestling team. She competed at Rio 2016 but made an early exit due to injury.

World silver medallist Deepak Punia and the 19-year-olds, Anshu and Sonam Malik, will be dark-horses in their respective categories at Tokyo.

Indian wrestlers at Tokyo 2020 Olympics

Seema Bisla, women's freestyle, 50kg

Vinesh Phogat, women’s freestyle 53kg

Anshu Malik, women's freestyle 57kg

Sonam Malik, women's freestyle 62kg

Ravi Kumar Dahiya, men’s freestyle 57kg

Bajrang Punia, men’s freestyle 65kg

Deepak Punia, men’s freestyle 86 kg

Tokyo Olympics wrestling schedule, fixtures and live start times for India

All times are India Standard Times (IST)

August 3, Tuesday

Women’s 62kg knockout rounds - 8:00 AM IST onwards

August 4, Wednesday

Knockout rounds and semi-finals - Men’s 57kg/Women’s 57kg/Men’s 86kg; Repechage and final - Women’s 62kg - 7:30 AM IST onwards

August 5, Thursday

Knockout rounds and semi-finals - Women’s 53kg; Repechage and final - Men’s 57kg/Women’s 57kg/Men’s 86kg - 7:30 AM IST onwards

August 6, Friday

Knockout rounds and semi-finals - Men’s 65kg; Repechage and final - Women’s 53kg - 7:30 AM IST onwards

August 7, Saturday

Repechage and finals - Men’s 65kg - 3:15 PM IST onwards

Where to watch the Tokyo Olympics wrestling live in India?

Tokyo Olympics wrestling events will be telecast live on the Sony TEN 2, Sony TEN 2 HD, Sony SIX and Sony SIX HD TV channels in India. Sony TEN 3, Sony TEN 3 HD, Sony TEN 4 and Sony TEN 4 HD will broadcast Tokyo 2020 in regional languages.

Live streaming of the Tokyo Olympics wrestling will be available on Sony Liv.

Live broadcast subject to Sony Sports Network.