Google Doodle Pays Tribute to KD Jadhav, India's First Athlete to Win Olympic Medal

Digital Desk: Today's Google Doodle pays homage to Khashaba Dadasaheb Jadhav, on his 97th birth anniversary. After India gained independence, Jhadav became the first Indian athlete to win an individual medal at the Olympics. Born on January 15, 1926, KD Jhadav was a Hindu. At the Helsinki Summer Olympics in 1952, KD Jhadav, who is most known for his wrestling, earned a bronze medal.

Let us learn more about the amazing athlete on this day of his birthday:

• Goleshwar, a village in Maharashtra, is where KD Jhadav was born. Dadasaheb Jadhav, a well-known wrestler, has five sons, with the youngest.

• Jadhav began training with his father to be a wrestler when he was only 10 years old after excelling as a swimmer and runner.

• Jhadav's signature move in wrestling was the "dhak," in which he placed his opponent in a headlock before hurling him to the ground.

• Despite being new to the international system and competing in his first Olympics against the greatest and most seasoned flyweight wrestler of the time, KD Jhadav earned sixth place, which was the highest finish for India up to that point.

• He is the only medalist from India who never won a Padma Award.

• Khashaba distinguished himself from other wrestlers of his era by being incredibly quick on his feet.

• After winning a bronze medal for India, he was hoping for the gold, but before the Olympics, he damaged his knee, ending his wrestling career.

• In his later life, he worked as a police officer.

• After Jhadav passed away on August 14, 1984, the Arjuna Award for his contributions to wrestling was given to him in 2000.