Page 8 - Wrestling

Antim Panghal shocks reigning world champion Parrish, but loses in semis

Antim Panghal shocked reigning champion Olivia Dominique Parrish en route to the World Championship semifinals, but the young grappler's giant-killing run was halted in the last-four stage, leaving her fighting for a bronze medal and a Paris Olympic quota place here on Wednesday. Panghal, the 53kg grappler, lost the semifinal bout to world No.23 Vanesa Kaladzinskaya -- a Belarusian competing as a neutral athlete -- on technical points 5-4. But the Indian can still earn an Olympic quota if she wins the bronze-medal match or emerges triumphant in the bout between the losers of the bronze-medal contest. Underlining her growth and a smooth transition from the junior to senior circuit, the two-time U20 champion won the first three bouts of the day to enter the semifinal even as other Indian contenders bit the dust in their respective categories. The two-time U20 champion Panghal slipped to a 0-2 deficit at the start of the bout against USA's Parrish but edged her rival 3-2 in the openin

Antim Panghal shocks reigning world champion Parrish, reaches quarters

Antim Panghal shocked reigning world champion Olivia Dominique Parrish to raise hopes of locking a quota for the Paris Olympics even as other Indian contenders bit the dust in their respective bouts at the wrestling World Championships, here Wednesday. Panghal slipped to a 0-2 deficit at the start of the bout against the American but edged her rival 3-2 in the women's 53kg opening round. She later outplayed Poland's Roksana Marta Zasina by technical superiority to move into the quarterfinals. The American swung into action with a quick take-down move from a right-leg attack. Unperturbed, the 19-year-old Indian began to defend well and foiled two similar attempts, not conceding any more points till the end of first period. With her strong defense continuing, Panghal did not let Parrish make any attacking move with the result the American was put on clock. Panghal got hold of the American's left leg and converted that into a successful take-down move to draw parity. She tried to get

World Wrestling: Neha loses bronze-medal match; Divya, Sarita exit early

Indian woman wrestler Neha Sharma went down fighting to Anastasia Blayvas of Germany in the bronze-medal contest at the UWW World Championships, even as four other grapplers failed to make an impact here on Tuesday. Neha, competing in the non-Olympic 55kg category, had made it to the bronze-medal round after defeating Mariia Vynnyk of Ukraine 7-4 in repechage to set up a fight against Anastasia. But after a keen contest, the 19th ranked Indian lost on technical points to the world No.16 German. Compatriots Sarita Mor and Divya Kakran failed to make an impact at the Worlds, losing their preliminary round bouts. The Indian contingent is competing here under the United World Wrestling (UWW) flag as the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) has been suspended by the international body for not holding its elections in the stipulated time. Both Sarita (57kg) and Divya (76kg) lost their pre-quarterfinal bouts, while team-mates Antim Kundu (65kg) and Neelam (50kg) also met with similar fate

World Championships: India's men's freestyle wrestlers return empty-handed

India's men's freestyle wrestlers cut a sorry figure at the World Championships as none of them could earn quota for next year's Paris Olympics or win a medal. What was more disappointing was that the Indian wresters lost to rivals from the nations that are not known for their wrestling prowess, raising suspicion over their fitness before flying to Belgrade. Sachin Mor (79kg) lost his repechage round by technical superiority to North Macedonia's Ahmad Magomedov, while Anuj Kumar (65kg) could not even clear the Qualification round, losing 7-8 to Mexico's Austin Klee Gomez. Mexico and North Macedonia are not the nations against whom the Indians are expected to lose their bouts. It has been learnt that Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) had suggested the Sports Ministry to conduct medical examination of the selected wrestlers before sending them for participation, saying that many of them are possibly carrying injuries. "A few of the wrestlers selected are injured, especially 65kg .

Asiad 2023: India's wrestling contingent, full schedule, streaming in India

The Indian wrestling contingent will be led by the World Championships and 2018 Asian Games medalist Bajarnag Punia in the men's category and young sensation Antim Panghal in the women's category

Court grants Bajrang Punia exemption from appearance in defamation case

A Delhi court Wednesday granted wrestler Bajrang Punia exemption from personal appearance for the day in a criminal defamation complaint filed against him by wrestling coach Naresh Dahiya. Metropolitan Magistrate Yashdeep Chahal, who had summoned Punia before the court today, granted him the relief after his lawyer sought exemption on medical ground, claiming the wrestler was unable to appear since he was suffering from fever. The court noted the submissions and adjourned the matter for September 14. The judge also directed the complainant to supply copy of the complaint to Punia's lawyer. The court had summoned the wrestler, holding it was of the prima facie view that all ingredients of defamation were made out against him. The complainant has claimed that Punia, along with other wrestlers/persons, made defamatory remarks against him at a press conference at Jantar Mantar on May 10 during a protest against alleged sexual harassment of some women wrestlers by the outgoing Wrestlin

WFI elections: SC refuses to interfere with Punjab and Haryana HC order

The Supreme Court on Tuesday refused to interfere with the Punjab and Haryana High Court order staying the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) elections. A bench of Justices Abhay S Oka and Pankaj Mithal asked the petitioner, Andhra Pradesh Amateur Wrestling Association to approach the high court with its grievances. Why should we entertain this ? You go to the high courtInstead of applying for vacating the interim stay, the petitioner has chosen to approach the Supreme Court. We, therefore, decline to entertain this special leave petition, the bench said. The top court was hearing a plea by the Andhra Pradesh Amateur Wrestling Association against the August 11 order of the high court.

Wrestling: Aman Sehrawat gets World C'ship berth, Deepak Punia skips trials

Aman Sehrawat asserted his supremacy in the men's 57kg free-style category as he clinched a World Championship berth while seasoned Olympian Deepak Punia skipped the national trials, here on Saturday. Aman defeated Atish Todkar in the final to make it double joy for him this year. Besides Aman, Akash Dahiya will be representing India in the 61kg after getting the better of Neeraj, while Anuj Kumar will be seen in action in the 65kg category, where Olympic medallist Bajrang Punia ply his trade. Bajrang had already decided to skip the world trials to train abroad for the Asian Games. Bajrang, his close aide Jitender Kinha and Olympic medallist Sakshi Malik's husband Satyawart Kadian, all those, who were a part of the sit-in protest at Jantar Mantar demanding arrest of former WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh on allegations of sexual harassment, didn't take part in the trials. But it turned out to be a double whammy for Vishal Kaliraman as his dreams of representing the country in

Ex-chief Brij Bhushan, Vinesh Phogat blame each other for WFI suspension

Outgoing WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, currently fighting sexual harassment charges levelled by women wrestlers, and celebrated grappler Vinesh Phogat on Saturday blamed each other for the national federation's suspension by UWW on account of not holding elections within 45 days. The WFI elections were supposed to be held on August 12 but the Punjab and Haryana High Court stayed the polls, acting on a petition filed by Haryana Wrestling Association (HWA). On Thursday, United World Wrestling (UWW) suspended WFI as a result of which Indian grapplers won't be able to compete at next month's World Championship under national flag. It was on Friday that double world championship medallist Vinesh, who spearheaded a sit-on protest at Jantar Mantar for more than one month demanding Brij Bhushan's arrest, took to 'X', formerly Twitter, to accuse the outgoing WFI chief for bringing ignominy to the national federation. She also called him a "mafia". "If one makes correct assessment of

Brij Bhushan touched breasts of woman wrestler on false pretext: Counsel

Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (ACMM) Harjeet Singh Jaspal heard the arguments advanced by the senior advocate Rebecca John for the women wrestlers

Asiad 2023: Whatever command khap gives, I am ready to obey that - Bajrang

Olympic bronze medallist Bajrang Punia on Thursday indicated he might withdraw from the Asian Games if all the panchayats that backed him during the protest at Jantar Mantar ask him to do so. Bajrang and five fellow wrestlers, including Olympic medaillst Sakshi Malik and Asian Games gold medallist Vinesh Phogat, sat at the Jantar Mantar here demanding the arrest of outgoing WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh for alleged sexual harassment, and several khap panchayats had come to support them. But, later on, they were not happy with Bajrang and Vinesh demanding exemption from the Asian Games trials in July and then accepting direct entries to the quadrennial showpiece event in Hangzhou from September 23. In the wake of the exemption given to the two from appearing in trials, the parents and coaches of the wrestlers, who had appeared in the July trials, held protests in Hisar and at the Indian Olympic Association headquarters in New Delhi against the decision of the IOA-constituted ..

WFI suspension: It will hugely impact Asian Games medal prospects - Kartar

Olympic medallist Yogeshwar Dutt on Thursday termed the suspension of the Wrestling Federation of India by the international body as "very distressing", while two-time Asian Games gold winner Kartar Singh said it will have "huge ramifications" on India's prospects in major international tournaments. UWW, the world governing body for wrestling, on Wednesday suspended the WFI for not conducting its elections on time, a development which will not allow Indian grapplers to compete at the upcoming World Championships under the Indian flag. The Indian wrestlers will have to compete as 'neutral athletes' at the Olympic-qualifying World Championships, starting September 16 as the ad-hoc panel, led by Bhupender Singh Bajwa, did not honour the 45-day deadline for conducting the elections. Terming the developments as "sad", Yogeshwar hoped a quick solution could be found to the crisis. "It is a very sad thing for Indians in general and wrestlers in particular. If we talk about wrestling in th

Wrestling trials for World Championships to go ahead on Aug 25-26: Bajwa

The trials to select the Indian wrestling team for the upcoming World Championships will go ahead as scheduled on August 25-26 despite the world governing body of the sport (UWW) suspending the WFI for not conducting elections on time. The United World Wrestling (UWW) on Wednesday suspended the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) for not conducting its elections within the mandated 45 days, which meant that the Indian grapplers will not be able to compete in the Worlds in Belgrade from September 16 under the Indian flag. IOA-constituted ad-hoc panel chief Bhupender Singh Bajwa told PTI that the trials will be held as per schedule on Friday and Saturday in Patiala in all 10 weight categories in the men's freestyle, greco-roman and women's section. "(The trials will go ahead), as per schedule," Bajwa told PTI on Thursday. He, however, declined to say whether a new circular will be issued in this regard in the wake of the latest developments. Another ad-hoc committee member Gian Sing

WFI suspended! Here's why global wrestling body revoked India's membership

This means Indian grapplers will not compete at the World Championships in Belgrade under the Indian flag.

Sports ministry okays wrestlers Bajrang and Deepak's foreign training

The Sports Ministry's Mission Olympic Cell (MOC) has cleared wrestlers Bajrang Punia and Deeepak Punia's proposals to miss the World Championships trials and train abroad till the Asian Games, after receiving desired fitness certificates from the two athletes. The Sports Authority of India (SAI) wanted Olympic-medallist wrestler Bajrang to attend the trials for the World Championships or provide fitness certificate, if he wants exemption from this week's exercise in Patiala. Bajrang wanted to skip the trials for the World Championships on August 25 and 26 and train at a foreign location to prepare for the Asian Games in Hangzhou beginning September 23. Bajrang, one of the six wrestlers to sit in protest at the Jantar Mantar against outgoing WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, and Commonwealth Games gold-medal winner Deepak Punia (86kg), are not keen to compete in the World Championships in Belgrade from September 16, and instead want to undergo long training stints to prepare of th

Antim Panghal determined to shine in Asian Games, World Championships

Young wrestler Antim Panghal, who challenged stalwart Vinesh Phogat in the Asian Games trials, is determined to prove a point in the continental showpiece and the subsequent World Championships. Panghal, who competes in 53kg in women's freestyle event, challenged Vinesh after the latter was handed a direct entry into the Asian Games squad by the Indian Olympic Association-instituted ad-hoc committee, which is currently running the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI). However, Vinesh withdrew from the Asian Games a few days back because of a knee injury for which she underwent a surgery in Mumbai, paving the way for Panghal's inclusion in the Hangzhou-bound team. "My joy was amplified when I learned that I've been selected for the Asian Games, as Vinesh di (Vinesh Phogat) had a knee injury, and I was on standby," Panghal told reporters here on Sunday after returning from a phenomenal campaign at the U-20 Women's Wrestling World Championships in Amman, Jordan. "I'm overjoyed with thi

World U20 Wrestling: Antim Panghal creates history, India win team ch'ship

Antim Panghal on Friday created history by becoming the first Indian woman wrestler to win back-to-back U20 world titles as she defended her 53kg crown, combining her tremendous agility and strength for a stupendous feat. Not only Panghal but Savita (62kg) too crowed herself a world champion as the Indian women team won the team title at a world championship for the first time in the history of sport. Priya Malik had won the 76kg title on Thursday. In a phenomenal result for Indian wrestling, seven wrestlers from the country won medals, including three gold medals, one silver through Antim Kundu (65kg) and three bronze via Reena (57kg), Arju (68kg) and Harshita (72kg). Panghal, who hails from Hisar in Haryana, dominated her Ukrainian rival Mariia Yefremova in a facile 4-0 win. She fought with such ferocity and authority that in the entire tournament she conceded only two points. That she is the one for the future in this category was evident. She proved that it was not overconfid

Wrestler Vinesh undergoes knee surgery in Mumbai, vows to come back strong

Star Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat, who pulled out of Asian Games due to a knee injury, on Thursday underwent a surgery in Mumbai and vowed to come back stronger. Phogat, who was at the forefront of the protest against WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, had got a direct entry to the Hangzhou Asian Games but suffered an injury while training on August 13. Phogat posted a picture on X, formerly twitter, with her doctor Dinshaw Pardiwala, who operated on her left knee. "Whenever I have fallen, you have stood by my side against all odds. Just like my faith in god, my faith in you is beyond measurable. Today I look at you as not just my doctor but someone I look up to for life-advice," she wrote. "Every conversation with you gives me confidence, hopefulness and clarity. I thank you with everything sir. "I'm sure we will bounce back stronger than before and look back at this period as a small stepping stone to what waits ahead," she added.

Difficult to focus on wrestling when sports' future is at stake: Bajrang

After calling off the protest, we wanted to give 100 per cent to training, but how is that possible when we got to know Brijbhushan's people could run the federation again, says Bajrang Punia

Vinesh Phogat out of Asian Games: Timeline of her injuries and achievements

Vinesh's wrestling career has been marred by controversy and injuries.