'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
The Indian men’s team endured a forgettable outing at the recent Asian Olympic Wrestling Qualifiers. Not a single men’s wrestler could secure an Olympic quota at the event. This is a major concern for India with just one qualification tournament in Istanbul left, scheduled to take place next month.
In light of the same, the Wrestling Federation of India has decided to conduct new trials to finalize the Indian team for the upcoming World Qualifiers, as per a report by PTI.
It is pertinent to note that India have managed to secure only four out of 18 quotas places available for the Paris Olympic Games. All four quotas places have been earned by women wrestlers. Vinesh Phogat earned the quota place on Saturday after beating Kazakhstan’s Laura Ganikyzy in the women’s 50kg semi-finals.
The remaining quota earners for the Olympics are Antim Panghal (53kg), Anshu Malik (57kg), and Reetika (76kg).
Ahead of the World Qualifiers, the WFI is planning to conduct the trails in all 14 remaining categories, including two in women’s freestyle and six each in men’s freestyle and Greco-Roman styles. The exact dates for the trails, however, will be revealed later.
India’s Greco-Roman wrestlers fail to win Paris Olympics quota at Asian Olympic Wrestling Qualifiers
Wrestling Federation of India’s president Sanjay Singh was reportedly frustrated over India’s sub-par performance at the Asian Olympics Wrestling Qualifiers. Thus, he has agreed to conduct fresh trials.
"It is unprecedented for India to struggle in securing quota places, particularly in freestyle wrestling," stated the source to PTI, emphasizing the significance of the situation.
India’s miserable performance, particularly, in Greco-Roman wrestling was quite evident. Sunil, competing in the 87kg category was the only wrestler to win a bout. All the other wrestlers were beaten in their respective first-round clash.
Ashu (67kg), Sumit (60kg), Vikas (77kg), Nitesh (97kg) and Naveen (130kg) also fell in the first round. Nevertheless, the wrestlers will have one more opportunity to earn quota places in the World Qualifiers in Turkey from May 9.
