Page 9 - Wrestling

Asian Games 2023, India wrestling squad: Full list of wrestlers for Asiad

A total of 18 wrestlers were selected for the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou, with six wrestlers each in Greco-Roman, men's freestyle and women's freestyle.

Asian Games: Wrestler Vinesh pulls out; clears way for Antim's inclusion

Vinesh Phogat, who was given direct entry to the Asian Games, on Tuesday announced that she won't be able to compete at the quadrennial extravaganza in Hangzhou because of a knee injury that will require a surgery. The exemption from the Asian Games trials given to Vinesh and Bajrang Punia had created a huge controversy as the wrestling fraternity criticised the decision made by the ad-hoc panel. However, as luck would have it, Vinesh would not be part of the sporting action in Hangzhou, starting September 23. Vinesh revealed her injury in a statement issued on X, formerly twitter. "I wanted to share an extremely sad piece of news. A couple of days ago on 13th August 2023, I injured my left knee in training. After doing the scans and examinations, the doctor has said that unfortunately, surgery is the only option for me to recover," she wrote. "I will be undergoing surgery on 17th August in Mumbai. It was my dream to retain my Asian Games gold medal for India which I won in 2018 i

World Championship: Trials for Indian wrestlers on Aug 25-26 in Patiala

The trials for the wrestling World Championships will be held on August 25-26 in Patiala, the ad-hoc panel announced on Monday, ending weeks of uncertainty around the selection competition. The exemption given to Bajrang Punia and Vinesh Phogat from the Asian Games trials had created a huge furore with majority of the wrestling fraternity criticising the decision taken by the ad-hoc panel. However, the ad-hoc panel has not announced exemption for any wrestler for the trials World Championship, set to be held in Belgrade from September 16-24 In the criteria mentioned for "shortlisting of athletes" for the Worlds, the ad-hoc panel said, "Medallists and participants of all international/ ranking/ Asian/ World Championships/ Commonwealth Games held in 2022 and 2023 and participants of 2022 Tokyo Olympic Games (will have to appear for trials in order to get selected selected for the Worlds)." Bajrang and Vinesh, have, however, not yet made up their mind on appearing in the trials for th

WFI Elections: Final list of candidates out; eyes on Anita, Kartar, Lochab

Former Indian wrestling great Kartar Singh is among five candidates in the fray for four vice-presidential posts in the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) elections, scheduled on August 12. Kartar, the two-time Asian Games gold medallist (1978 Bangkok and 1986 Seoul)is a former WFI secretary-general with years of administrative experience and is in the fray along with Asit Kumar Saha (Bengal), Jai Prakash (Delhi), Mohan Yadav (Madhya Pradesh) and N Phoni (Manipur). The contest for the post of president will be between outgoing WFI president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh-loyalist Sanjay Kumar Singh (Uttar Pradesh) and 2010 Commonwealth Games gold medallist Anita Sheoran. The 38-year-old Sheoran, it is learnt, has the backing of the six wrestlers, including Bajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogat and Sakshi Malik, who led the protests against Brij Bhushan at Jantar Mantar here. Sheoran, interestingly, is also a witness against Brij Bhushan in the sexual harassment case. As per the official list .

WFI Elections: Its wrestler Anita vs Sanjay Singh for president's post

Either Sanjay Kumar Singh or 2010 CWG champion Anita Sheoran will become the next WFI President as it has become a two-way contest for the top post following withdrawal of other candidates. UP Association Vice President Sanjay is an outgoing WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh loyalist while Anita is the lone woman in the fray for the August 12 polls. Anita filed her nomination as representative of the Odisha unit even as she is from Haryana and employed with the state police. Two other candidates in the fray for the top post, Dushyant Sharma (J&K) and another Brij Bhushan loyalist Jai Prakash (Delhi Wrestling Association President) withdrew their nominations on Saturday, according to source in the IOA ad-hoc committee. The Returning Officer for the polls, former J&K High Court Judge Mahesh Mittal Kumar, will officially announce the final list of candidates in the fray on August 7. Elections will be held for the posts of president (1), senior vice-president (1), vice-president

Wrestling: Trials for World C'ships likely after WFI officials take charge

The IOA-constituted ad-hoc committee for wrestling will likely leave the job of organising trials for the World Championships to the elected WFI office-bearers, and is planning to "issue a directive" in a day or two. The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) will elect its new office-bearers on August 12, which would leave only four days for them to organise the Worlds trials and send the entries, which close on August 16. The World Championships will be held in Belgrade from September 16-24 where 90 quota places for the 2024 Paris Olympics will be at stake. The ad-hoc panel was initially planning to organise the trials around August 10 and issue a notification between August 1-3. However, a source close to the ad-hoc committee members said on condition of anonymity on Thursday that most of the panel members want the elected WFI office-bearers to organise the trials "to avoid more controversy". "The ad-hoc panel is planning to hand over the task of organising trials to the elected b

WFI elections: Brij Bhushan claims 22 state units attended his meeting

Outgoing Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh claimed that 22 out of 25 state units attended a meeting hosted by him here on Sunday, adding that "his candidates" for various posts for the federation elections on August 12 will be announced on July 31. Monday is the last date for filing nominations. "Twenty-two of the 25 states unites associated with the WFI attended the meeting. (Our) candidates will be announced on Monday," said BJP MP Brij Bhushan, who hosted the meeting at a five-star hotel here. Brij Bhushan, against whom the country's six top wrestlers including Olympic medallists Bajranj Punia and Sakshi Malik had levelled allegations of sexual harassment, is ineligible to contest as he has completed 12 years a head of the federation -- the maximum period allowed as per the National Sports Code. A state unit member who attended the meeting here said on condition of anonymity that the BJP leader's son-in-law, who is widely being touted as Bri

Asiad: Here's why wrestlers want more time for World Championships trials

Wrestlers are making a genuine request, given repeating the painful and tedious process of weight loss could lead to injuries ahead of the big-ticket event.

Asian Games: Vinesh, Bajrang respond to criticism over trials exemption

Facing the wrestling fraternity's wrath for accepting exemption from the Asian Games trials, Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia on Monday said they are hurt that young wresters dragged them to the court but are at the same time delighted to see the junior grapplers starting to fight for their rights. The IOA ad-hoc panel conducted trials in all 18 categories for the Hangzhou Games but decided to give direct entries to Bajrang (65kg) and Vinesh (53kg), triggering angry reactions from many in the wrestling fraternity. Junior wresters Antim Panghal and Sujeet Kalkal approached the Delhi High Court, appealing that the exemption be set aside but their petition was dismissed. Both Bajrang and Vinesh, who are abroad at different locations for training, came live on social media to respond to the allegations and recent developments. "We are not against the trials. I can't blame Antim. She is not wrong. She is fighting for her right and we are fighting for our right. She is too young, she does

Asian Games: Olympic medalist Ravi Dahiya loses in trials to Atish Todakr

Ravi Dahiya lost to Atish Todakar by fall after trailing 8-20. Todkar lost to Rahul, who was then beaten by Asian Championship gold medalist Aman Sehrawat. Thus Sehrawat qualified in 57-kg category

HC refuses to interfere with trials exemption to wrestlers Vinesh, Bajrang

The Delhi High Court Saturday refused to interfere with the exemption granted to top wrestlers Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia from Asian Games trials. Justice Subramonium Prasad dismissed the petition by Under-20 World Champion Antim Panghal and Under-23 Asian Champion Sujeet Kalkal against the direct entry allowed to Phogat and Punia to participate in the tournament. Writ petition is dismissed, the judge said. A detailed copy of the order is awaited. Phogat (53kg) and Punia (65kg) were given direct entry for the Asian Games by the Indian Olympic Association's ad-hoc committee on Tuesday, while other wrestlers will have to earn their places in the Indian squad through selection trials on July 22 and 23. Panghal and Kalkal moved the high court on July 19 challenging the exemption and demanded a fair selection process for the quadrennial showpiece event. The petition, moved by advocates Hrishikesh Baruah and Akshay Kumar, had demanded that the directive issued by the IOA ad-hoc ..

Asian Games: Wrestling trials exemption - HC to pronounce order on Saturday

The Delhi High Court on Friday said it will pass an order on July 22 on a challenge to the exemption granted to top wrestlers Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia from Asian Games trials. Justice Subramonium Prasad reserved verdict on the petition by Under-20 World Champion Antim Panghal and Under-23 Asian Champion Sujeet Kalkal against the direct entry handed to Phogat and Punia. The endeavour of the court is not to find who is better. The endeavour is to see whether the process has been followed or not, the judge said during the proceedings. Phogat (53kg) and Punia (65kg) were given direct entries for the Asian Games by the Indian Olympic Association's ad-hoc committee on Tuesday while other wrestlers will have to book their places in the Indian squad through selection trials on July 22 and 23. Panghal and Kalkal challenged the exemption and demanded a fair selection process for the quadrennial showpiece. The petition, moved by advocates Hrishikesh Baruah and Akshay Kumar, demanded t

Asian Games 2023: Two Ad-hoc panel members favoured two-stage trials

IOA ad-hoc committee panel members Ashok Garg and Gian Singh favoured a two-stage trial to pick the Indian wrestling squad for the Asian Games and did not recommend exemption to any wrestler, it has come to light. Garg and Singh were made members of the IOA ad-hoc panel as technical experts and have been making suggestions to the committee for some time. An undated suggestion circular, signed by both Singh and Garg, explained that they favoured a two-stage trial instead of giving direct entries to six protesting wrestlers, including Bajrang Punia and Vinesh Phogat. "The circular was submitted to ad-hoc panel head Bhupender Singh Bajwa," said an ad-hoc panel source. The circular mentions that "trials should be held in the first week of August and if not possible then as soon as possible". It further read that, "If trials are held earlier, then top-3 finishers in six weight categories -- men's freestyle 65kg, 86kg, 97kg and women's 53kg, 62kg and 68kg -- should be pitted against the

Wrestling: Protest against Asian Games trials exemption reaches IOA door

Several junior wrestlers and their families, demanding fair Asian Games trials, carried their protest to the doors of IOA on Thursday and vowed not to leave the headquarters of the apex sports body till exemption given to Bajrang Punia and Vinesh Phogat is withdrawn. The inexplicable delay by the IOA ad-hoc panel in announcing the selection criteria and the subsequent exemption granted to Bajrang and Vinesh had infuriated the wrestling fraternity which termed the decision as unjust and unfair. Wrestlers from training centres in Rohtak (Chhotu Ram Akhada), Narela (Virender Singh's centre), Hisar (Baba Lal Das Akhada) Delhi (Hanuman Akhada and Chhatrasal Satdium), along many senior citizens, including women, belonging to the junior wrestlers gathered at the Olympic Bhawan. Around 100 people gathered outside the Olympic Bhawan and urged IOA Secretary General Kalyan Chaubey to ensure fair trial. The IOA official after a round of meeting with his colleagues met the protesters and assure

Asian Games 2023: Never demanded exemption from trials - Sakshi Malik

Olympic medallist Sakshi Malik on Thursday said she never demanded any exemption from Asian Games trials despite the IOA ad-hoc panel offering to consider her case just like compatriots Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia. She also alleged that the move to exempt Vinesh and Bajrang from trials is an attempt by the government to "break the unity of the wrestlers." Sakshi, who competes in the 62 kg category, along with Vinesh (53 kg) and Bajrang (65 kg), was at the forefront of the protest against outgoing Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who on Thursday got bail from a Delhi court after the police charge-sheeted him on allegations of sexual harassment. The IOA ad-hoc panel led by Bhupinder Bajwa courted controversy on Tuesday after granting exemptions to Bajrang and Vinesh without following due protocols, forcing U-20 world champion Antim Panghal and 65 kg grappler Sujit Kalkal to approach the Delhi High Court to get the decision overturned. "As you a

3 NSFs reported cases of sexual harassment in last 3 years: Anurag Thakur

The Sports Ministry on Thursday said the POSH Act, 2013 (Sexual Harassment at Workplace) is applicable to all National Sports Federations and in the last three years, only four NSFs have reported complaints of such nature. Sports Minister Anurag Thakur made the disclosure during a written reply in Rajya Sabha on Thursday. "Prohibition and Redressal) (POSH) Act, 2013 are applicable to all National Sports Federations (NSFs), as applicable to any entity defined in the Act. The NSFs are bound to take action in terms of the extant legal provisions in the cases of sexual harassment reported to them. "The Ministry has also issued instructions to all NSFs from time-to-time on the prevention of sexual harassment in sports," Thakur wrote in his reply during the question hour in Rajya Sabha. "Based on the information provided about complaints of sexual harassment during the last three years and the current year by the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) and all the presently recognised NSFs, fou

Asian Games 2023: Final call on wrestling squad ahead of departure - IOA

The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) on Wednesday said the final assessment of the country's wrestling contingent for the upcoming Asian Games will be made prior to players' departure for China to "maximise the chances of sending the most competitive team". The IOA said in a statement that "the selection process for wrestlers to participate in the Asian Games is designed to be fair, transparent and in accordance with the guidelines set forth by the International Federation (UWW)". IOA statement came after country's promising junior wrestlers moved the Delhi High Court, demanding a fair trial as ad-hoc panel exempted Bajrang Punia and Vinesh Phogat from Asian Games trials. However IOA officials did not elaborate if assessment will be relevant after sending entries. Several calls to IOA officials went unanswered. "The Selection Committee, comprising experienced officials and experts, has recently published the norms for selection of wrestlers, so that the entry process of the team .

Young wrestlers in Hisar protest against trial exemption to Bajrang, Vinesh

Junior world champion Antim Panghal along with several other wrestlers of national repute were out on the streets on Wednesday to protest against IOA ad-hoc panel's "unfair" decision to exempt Bajrang Punia and Vinesh Phogat from the Asian Games trials. The protesting wrestlers including Panghal, family members of Vishal Kaliraman, who competes in Bajrang's category, assembled at Chhotu Ram Chowk in Hisar, demanding that trials be conducted in all weight categories. Wrestlers from Baba Laldas Akhada in Hisar and the famous Chhatrasal Stadium in New Delhi also joined the protest along with senior citizens from nearby villages. "We are here to protest against this decision of the IOA ad-hoc panel. We are here today and will decide later in the evening if we have to comeback tomorrow," Ram Niwas, Panghal's father, told PTI. Tokyo Olympic bronze medallist Bajrang (65kg) and World championship medallist Vinesh (53kg) led the month-long wrestlers' protest at New Delhi's Jantar Mantar ...

Sujeet slams IOA committee for granting trial exemption to Bajrang Punia

The reigning U23 Asian champion Sujeet Kalkal on Wednesday slammed the IOA ad-hoc committee for granting direct entry to Bajrang Punia for the Asian Games, saying it was unfair on the next generation wrestlers who aspire to become Olympic champions. The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) ad-hoc panel, led by Bhupender Singh Bajwa, on Tuesday exempted Tokyo Olympic bronze medallist Bajrang (65kg freestyle) Vinesh Phogat (53kg) from the Asian Games trials on July 22-23 here. Kalkal, the U20 world championship bronze medallist, said that there are at least 5-6 wrestlers in the 65kg freestyle category who are capable of beating Bajrang. "I had wrestled with Bajrang a year back during the (Birmingham) Commonwealth Games trials, which was very close. During the trials, Bajrang was handed a direct semifinals entry and we had to contest all the bouts," said Kalkal, the reigning senior national champion and last year's Junior Asian gold medallist. Proving his point further, Kalkal said he had

WFI election: Supreme Court lifts Gauhati HC stay, orders polls immediately

The Gauhati High Court had put WFI elections on hold after Assam Wrestling Association filed a petition over its right to participate in the polls