Keen to make sure that she stays in reckoning for the Paris Games, star wrestler Vinesh Phogat didn’t let the choice trials begin within the girls’s 50kg and 53kg classes and demanded a written assurance from the authorities {that a} remaining trial will likely be held within the 53kg weight class earlier than the Olympics.
Following the ad-hoc committee for wrestling acceding to her demand, Vinesh, the Jakarta Asian Games gold medallist, defeated Shivani 11-6 within the 50kg weight class to ebook a spot within the Paris Olympics Qualification match in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan subsequent month. She, nonetheless, misplaced the 53kg bout to Anju by technical superiority 0-10.
Vinesh, who had accused former WFI President Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh of sexual harassment and led a chronic protest in opposition to the BJP MP, turned up on the SAI centre within the morning to compete within the 50kg trials.
As per Article 7 of the United World Wrestling (UWW) a contestant may be allowed to participate in a single weight class on a single day, however Vinesh appeared in trials in two separate weight classes on Monday.
“Each contestant deemed to be taking part of his/her own free will, and responsible for himself/herself, shall be allowed to compete in only one weight category: the one corresponding to his weight at the time of the official weigh-in,” guidelines Article 7 of the UWW.
(*53*) 29-year-old used to compete in 53kg earlier than the protest however has lowered her weight class since Antim Panghal has already earned an Olympic quota in that class. However, Vinesh didn’t let the competitors begin and demanded a written assurance. She additionally sought permission to compete in each 50kg and 53kg trials on Monday, resulting in a weird state of affairs.
(*53*) officers went into discussions. (*53*) wrestlers, competing within the 50kg weight class, additionally complained to the officers relating to the delay.
“We are waiting since the past two and half hours,” they mentioned.
This regardless of the IOA ad-hoc panel already saying {that a} remaining trial will likely be held to select India’s consultant in 53kg. (*53*) greatest 4 wrestlers in 53kg will compete in trials close to the Games and the winner will likely be requested to compete with Antim. (*53*) winner of that bout will characterize India.
“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, current on the trials, instructed.
