From Construction Worker’s Daughter to Khelo India Gold: Rutuja Gurav’s Inspiring Wrestling Journey

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When 16-year-old Rutuja Gurav stood with a gold medal around her neck at the Khelo India Youth Games, it was more than just a win in wrestling - it was a reward for years of hard work, struggle, and a father's strong belief.

Rutuja comes from Panchgaon village in Kolhapur, Maharashtra. Her father, Santosh Gurav, works as a construction worker and earns around ₹15,000 a month. Her mother helps with a ₹6,000 job at a local grocery store. Money was always tight, but dreams were never small in the Gurav family.

Her journey began when her father took her to a nearby wrestling academy at the age of eight. "She was not sure at first," he said. "But after we watched the movie Dangal, something changed in her. She got inspired, and never looked back."

Rutuja saw herself in the story of the Phogat sisters. "Watching the movie made me believe I could do this too," she said.

Even though Santosh doesn't know wrestling techniques, he has been at every match. "I may not understand the moves, but I always want her to see me there," he said proudly.

Rutuja's hard work soon brought success - gold at the Junior Nationals in 2021, again in 2022, silver in 2023, and gold at the School Games. She also won a silver medal at the Junior Asian Championships in Thailand.

At the Khelo India Youth Games in Bihar, she was brilliant in the U-17 girls' 46kg category. She beat Delhi's Khushi 3-1, won her semifinal 4-0 against Bihar's Rupa Kumari, and defeated Haryana's Annu 3-1 in a tough final.

The Khelo India scholarship is now a big support for the family. "It will help her eat better, buy gear, and focus fully on her sport," said Santosh.

Khushi from Delhi and Kashish Gurjar from Rajasthan took bronze in the same event.

Rutuja's journey is not just about medals - it's about a family's strength and belief. As she says, "Wrestling taught me to fight - in sport and in life. But my parents gave me the courage to begin."