Facing a lot of criticism after exempting Bajrang Punia (65kg) and Vinesh Phogat (53kg) from the Asian Games trials, the Indian Olympic Association-appointed ad-hoc committee tried to control the damage by announcing undated selection trials for the World Championships, scheduled from September 16 to 24 in Belgrade.
The IOA came to the ad-hoc committee’s support by issuing a release, which stated that “final assessment of the wrestling team will be made prior to departure of the team” for the Asiad, even as two promising wrestlers, World under-20 champion and Asian silver medallist Antim Panghal and Ranking Series gold medallist and Asian under-23 champion Sujeet Kalkal, on Wednesday moved the Delhi High Court demanding fair trials for the mega continental event.
The case will come up for hearing on Thursday.
The World championships will be held from September 16 to 24, while wrestling competitions in the Asian Games will be organised from October 4 to 7.
The Asiad trials have been scheduled on Saturday and Sunday, while dates for the Worlds trials for 30 weight categories have not been announced yet.
The last date to send entries for the global event, which is also an Olympic qualifier, is August 15. The ad-hoc panel said “no exemption will be given” for the Worlds trials.
In video messages circulated through social media, Antim, Sujeet and Vishal Kaliraman, another prominent wrestler in 65kg, sought fair trials.
“Vinesh has not trained for about a year, whereas I have got medals. We hear that wrestlers who get selected for the Asiad will also compete in the World championships (an Olympic qualifier). All I want is trials,” said Antim.
“Bajrang has been getting advantage in trials. Five or six of us can beat him. Everyone should get equal opportunity. I want fair trials,” said Sujeet.
Another prominent wrestler in 65kg, Vishal Kaliraman also objected to the move to give a free pass to Bajrang.
Olympic bronze medallist Yogeshwar Dutt came out in support of the aggrieved wrestlers, seeking an answer from the ad-hoc committee.
Noted coach Kuldip Singh also favoured trials. “If you don’t do trials, how will you know who stands where?” asked Kuldip.
Some wrestlers reportedly staged a dharna at Hisar, protesting the exemption given to the two athletes.
Meanwhile, the IOA, in a press release, said, “To maximise the chances of sending the most competitive wrestling team to the Asian Games, the final assessment of the wrestling team will be made prior to departure of the team for the competition.” However, it did not explain how the final assessment would be made.
