Khashaba Dadasaheb Jadhav: Biography, Olympics, Information
An Olympian and Indian wrestler from the state of Maharashtra, Khashaba Dadasaheb Jadhav. The first Indian to win an individual Olympic medal in a field event, he took part in the 1952 Helsinki Olympics and placed third in the bantamweight division. He was influenced by his father, a wrestler himself, and was born on January 15, 1926 in Goleshwar, a small village in the Kolhapur district of Maharashtra. Jadhav received training from his father before moving on to coach Bapu Nadkarni. He competed on behalf of India in a number of international events and took home a number of medals, including gold at the Asian Games in 1950 and 1951. On August 14, 1984, he passed away.
Information:
|
Complete Name:
|
Khashaba Jadhav
|
|
Nickname(s):
|
Pocket Dynamo KD
|
|
Citizenship:
|
British Indian from 1926 to 1947 and
Indian from 1947 to 1984
|
|
Date of Birth:
|
15th Jan 1926
|
|
Address:
|
Satara, Satara district, Bombay
Presidency, British India
|
|
Died:
|
14th Aug 1984, Karad, Maharashtra, India
|
|
Height:
|
1.67 M (5 feet 6 inches)
|
|
Weight:
|
54KG
|
|
Country:
|
India
|
|
Sport:
|
Wrestling
|
|
Event(s):
|
Freestyle
|
|
Coached By:
|
Rees Gardner
|
Childhood Life of Khashaba Dadasaheb Jadhav
Born in the village of Goleshwar in the Karad Taluka of Satara quarter in Maharashtra,K.D. Jadhav was the youthful among the five sons of the famed wrestler Dadasaheb Jadhav. He entered his academy education at Tilak High School in the Karad taluka of Satara quarter between 1940 and 1947. Growing up in a family deeply embedded in wrestling, he was exposed to the sport from an early age.
During the Quit India Movement, he laboriously shared and handed sanctum and caching places for revolutionaries, contributing to the cause. He also played a part in spreading anti-British sentiments by distributing flyers. His contributions during the movement were noteworthy.
On August 15, 1947, India's Independence Day,K.D. Jadhav made a resolution to hoist the tricolor flag at the Olympics, showcasing his nationalistic commitment.
Wrestling career of Khashaba Dadasaheb Jadhav
K.D. Jadhav's journey began in the village of Goleshwar, located in the Karad taluka of Satara district in Maharashtra. His grandfather and father were wrestling coaches, and he was introduced to wrestling at the tender age of five. During his college days, he received training from wrestling mentors like Baburao Balawade and Belapur Guruji.
His success in wrestling didn't hinder his academic progress; in fact, it propelled him to achieve good grades. He actively participated in the Quit India Movement and made a patriotic commitment to hoist the tricolor flag at the Olympics on August 15, 1947.
In 1948, his wrestling career took off, and he gained prominence during the 1948 London Olympics by securing sixth place in the flyweight category. He became the first Indian to achieve such a high position in the individual category. Despite being new to international wrestling rules, his sixth-place finish was a significant achievement.
Over the next four years, Jadhav trained rigorously for the Helsinki Olympics. He competed in the bantamweight category (57 kg) and faced wrestlers from various countries. Before his semi-final loss, he defeated wrestlers from countries like Mexico, Germany, and Canada. His determined comeback led him to clinch the bronze medal, making him the first Indian to win an individual Olympic medal in the 1952 Helsinki Olympics.
Later life and death of Khashaba Dadasaheb Jadhav
In 1955, he joined the police force as a sub-inspector, where he not only excelled in various competitions organized within the police department but also fulfilled national duties as a sports coach. Despite serving in the police department for twenty-seven years and retiring as an assistant commissioner, Police Commissioner Jadhav had to fight for his pension later in life.
For years, he faced neglect from sports associations, and he had to spend his final years in poverty. Tragically, in 1984, he lost his life in a road accident, leaving his wife to struggle for support from all sides.
Awards and honours of Khashaba Dadasaheb Jadhav
- He was honored in 1982 by being included in the torch relay of the Asian Games held in Delhi.
- The Maharashtra government honored him with the posthumous Chhatrapati Award in 1992-993.
- He was recognized with the posthumous Arjuna Award in 2000.
- To commemorate his achievements, the wrestling arena at the 2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games was named after him.
- On January 15, 2023, Google paid tribute to Jadhav by creating a Google Doodle on his 97th birth anniversary.
Legacy of Khashaba Dadasaheb Jadhav
Book written on Khashaba Dadasaheb Jadhav: Olympic veer K D Jadhav by Sanjay Dudhane, National Book Trust.
Movie on Khashaba Dadasaheb Jadhav: International wrestler and now patron Sangram Singh is completely prepared with a plan to make a film on Jadhav after acquiring rights from his son Ranjit Jadhav. This cinematic creation will delve into the remarkable journey of wrestler Khashaba Jadhav, the trailblazer who clinched India's inaugural Olympic medal in the year 1952. Jadhav has been an exemplary figure of fidelity and now, through this film, they intend to pay homage to his ideals.
attesting the news through an sanctioned statement about the athlete, Sangram Singh says," His trip has been relatively remarkable, and he brought the first transnational order to our country, but over time, his name and story faded. He's a idol who deserves to be flashed back and recognized. We'll work hard to depict his achievements fairly with the film." The script for the film is presently in progress.
FAQs
Q1.) What was Khashaba Dadasaheb Jadhav is known for?
Ans.) Khashaba Dadasaheb Jadhav was an Indian wrestler who competed in the 1952 Helsinki Olympics and won the bronze medal in the bantamweight category, becoming the first Indian to win an individual Olympic medal in a field event. He was also a two-time Asian Games medalist and a seven-time national champion.
Q2.) What was Jadhav's nickname?
Ans.) Jadhav was known as "Pocket Dynamo" for his small but powerful physique.
Q3.) What other accomplishments did Jadhav achievements during his career?
Ans.) In addition to his Olympic medal, Jadhav also won a gold medal at the 1951 Asian Games, held in New Delhi, and a silver medal at the 1954 Asian Games in Manila. He also participated in the 1948 London Olympics, but was eliminated in the first round. He was also the winner of the All India Wrestling Championship for seven consecutive years, from 1948 to 1954.
Q4.) What happened to Jadhav after his retirement from competitive wrestling?
Ans.) After his retirement from competitive wrestling, Jadhav worked as a sports administrator and coach, mentoring many young wrestlers and helping to develop the sport in India. He died on August 14, 1984, at the age of 58 but his legacy lives on.
