Keen to make sure that she stays in the reckoning for the Paris Games, star wrestler Vinesh Phogat didn’t let the choice trials begin in the ladies’s 50kg and 53kg classes and demanded a written assurance from the authorities {that a} ultimate trial could be held in 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 in the 50kg weight class to e-book a spot in the Paris Olympics Qualification event in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan subsequent month.
She, nevertheless, 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 in the morning to compete in the 50kg trials.
As per Article 7 of the United World Wrestling (UWW), a contestant may be allowed to participate in one 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.
The 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 scenario.
The officers went into discussions.
The wrestlers, competing in the 50kg weight class, additionally complained to the officers relating to the delay.
“We are waiting for the past two and a half hours,” they mentioned.
This is regardless of the IOA ad-hoc panel already asserting {that a} ultimate trial will likely be held to choose India’s consultant in 53kg. The greatest 4 wrestlers in 53kg will compete in trials close to the Games and the winner will likely be requested to compete with Antim.
The winner of that bout will signify India.
“Vinesh wants an assurance from the government. Probably she fears that if WFI gets back 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, advised
(This story has not been edited by News18 workers and is printed from a syndicated information company feed – PTI)
