Haryana DSP bags silver in World Police and Fire Games in Rotterdam

Forty-year-old deputy superintendent of police Pradeep Khatri, posted with the Indian Reserve Battalion in Bhondsi, Gurugram, has bagged the silver medal in 97kg wrestling event at the World Police and Fire Games, in Rotterdam, Netherlands, on Sunday

Forty-year-old deputy superintendent of police Pradeep Khatri, posted with the Indian Reserve Battalion in Bhondsi, Gurugram, has bagged the silver medal in 97kg wrestling event at the World Police and Fire Games, in Rotterdam, Netherlands, on Sunday.

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Khatri, who joined the Haryana Police as an inspector in 2000, in Jhajjar, has won several medals in different wrestling championships. During the 14 years of his career so far, he has coached the Indian wrestling team 10 years ago and decided to participate in the competition himself this year.

Khatri said his aim of winning a medal for his country and department before retiring from the sport has finally come true. “I practised for over nine hours a day and was determined to bring home a medal. I started my training last year, after a gap of 10 years, and, along with the team, I too harboured hopes of participating in the event this year in Netherlands. This was my last chance, given my age, and I wanted to give my best and return home with a medal,” Khatri said.

Khatri, who hails from Rohtak, started wrestling at the age of 12 after watching the older people of his village performing in small ”akharas”. Since then, all he has wanted is to win a medal in wrestling for his country. He was the coach and manager of the Indian Wrestling Team (Free Style) in 2012.

Apart from wrestling, Khatri is also a dedicated policeman and during his tenure as inspector in Nuh and Jhajjar, he arrested more than 200 people wanted in cases of ATM loot and cyber fraud, besides proclaimed offenders and murder suspects.

He was nominated twice for the President’s Medal for meritorious service, for having maximum encounters in Nuh. He also played key role in curbing illegal mining.

Senior officers said three wrestlers from Haryana Police have already bagged medals, including a gold.

The Games, being held between July 22 and 31, has personnel from police forces of more than 70 countries taking part this year. The biennial athletic event is open to active and retired law enforcement and fire service personnel throughout the world.