A drama broke out at the women’s wrestling trials on Monday as Olympian Vinesh Phogat demanded a written assurance from the authorities stating that the final trial for the 53kg category would be held before Paris 2024. In the process, she did not let the wrestling trials for the 50kg and 53kg start.
Phogat turned out at the SAI center to compete in the 50kg trails. Incidentally, she used to compete in the 53kg category but changed her weight category since Antim Panghal has already earned an Olympic quota in that category. In another bizarre situation, Vinesh also sought permission to compete in both weight categories.
The situation left the other waiting wrestlers frustrated and they complained to the authorities. “We are waiting since the past 2.5 hours,” they said.
The demand from Vinesh comes even though the IOA ad-hoc panel has already announced a final trial in the 53kg category. The top four wrestlers will compete in the trials and the winner will be asked to compete with Antim. The winner of the bout with Antim will represent India in that category at the Games.
“Vinesh wants an assurance from the government. Probably she fears that if WFI gets back the control, the federation may change the selection policy. But how can the government give assurance on this. The government can’t interfere in selection matters,” a coach, present at the trials, told PTI.
“Probably she wants to secure her future. If she loses 50kg trials today she wants to ensure that she remains in hunt in 53kg. If she finishes in top-4 today in 53kg, she remains alive for Paris Games qualification,” the coach added.