Sushil's meeting with WFI fails to break the ice

Two-time Olympic medallist Sushil Kumar's fate continued to hang in thea balance as the meeting between the grappler and Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) on Wednesday failed to break the deadlock over holding of trials for the upcoming Rio Olympics.

Sushil, who alongwith his coach Mahabali Satpal, put forward their arguments to WFI President Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh for holding trials for the 74kg category, was however, disallowed from attending the national camp until the next Delhi High Court hearing on May 27.

"There's no question of us getting convinced. We have heard him and we will submit our points to the High Court and let them decide," Singh told reporters after the meeting.

"We won't allow Sushil to be in the national camp until the next High Court hearing on May 27."

The meeting comes a day after the High Court order directing WFI to meet Sushil.

Former world champion Sushil's dreams of participating in Rio came under the cloud after Mumbai-based wrestler Narsingh Yadav booked an Olympic quota in 74kg category by settling for the bronze at the World Championships in November 2015.

After emerging from the meeting room, Sushil said, "I have been receiving good support from across the country. People even from the United States, Australia, Canada are also supporting me. Everyone is saying that the country is behind me.

"I have got the training and exposure from the federation from the beginning (of career). It has always supported me. Narsingh is like my brother. Unfortunately, situation is such that I have to fight for trial against him," he added.

Sushil took a bronze in the 2008 Beijing Olympics and then silver in London in 2012 in the 66kg division, but this was abolished by the International Wrestling Federation (FILA) in 2014.

This prompted him to move up to the 74kg weight category which brought him into direct competition with Narsingh, who was the top Indian wrestler in this class till then.

Sushil missed the qualification for Rio Olympics due to injury, and Narsingh was able to secure the berth for representing the country.

After repeatedly requesting the WFI and being denied time and again, Sushil moved the court for relief.

Earlier on Tuesday, the High Court asked the federation to sort out the matter amicably within themselves.

--IANS

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