The latter also said that Vinesh has not made any major achievements in the last one year. Despite this, he is being sent to the Asian Games without any trial. This is a disappointing decision.
#WATCH , Wrestler Antim Panghal says, “Vinesh (Phogat) is being sent directly, she doesn’t have any achievements in the last one year but despite that, she is being sent directly. Even in the Commonwealth Games trial, I had a 3-3 bout with her. Then too, I was cheated…A fair… https://t.co/X6b5LzOuyd pic.twitter.com/gdVKPdd0Bq
— ANI (@ANI) July 19, 2023
What did Vishal say?
Wrestler Vishal Kaliraman on Bajrang being selected in the team for Asian Games without any trials said “I also play in 65 kg weight category and Bajrang Punia has been given direct entry for Asian Games without any trials. Have been protesting for a year while we are practicing. We appeal for a trial… We don’t want any favors or benefits. There should be at least a trial otherwise we are ready to go to court. .. We will appeal before the court. We have been practicing for 15 years. If Bajrang Punia denies that he will not play in the Asian Games then only someone else will get a chance.”
#WATCH , Delhi: Wrestler Vishal Kaliraman says, “Even I play in the under 65kg category and for the Asian Games Bajrang Punia has been given direct entry without any trial. They have been staging a protest for a year now, while we have been practicing. We appeal for a trial… We… https://t.co/X6b5LzOuyd pic.twitter.com/IOSmRDlXFR
— ANI (@ANI) July 19, 2023
The ad-hoc committee of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) on Tuesday decided that the trials will be held at the KD Jadhav Indoor Stadium on July 22 and 23. Vinesh and Bajrang will not participate in this. Wrestlers Bajrang (65) and Vinesh Phogat (53 kg), who have leveled sexual harassment allegations against former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president and BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, have been included in the Asian Games squad without a trial. The ad-hoc committee has given place to both of them in the team against the wishes of the head coaches of the team. There is anger among the other wrestlers of these two weight categories against this decision.
Coach said, had opposed exemption
The ad-hoc committee issued a circular of its criteria four days before the trials to be held on July 22 and 23, in which, without naming Bajrang and Vinesh, it was said that wrestlers would be selected in their weight categories of 65 and 53 kg. A member of the committee says that on 22nd and 23rd there will be trial in all six weight categories of freestyle, Greco Roman and women’s category. The name of the winning wrestler in the men’s 65 and women’s 53 weight categories will be sent as standby for the Asiad. If Bajrang and Vinesh do not play in the Asiad, then both the standbys will be kept in the team.
Jagminder Singh and Virender Dahiya, chief coaches of the men’s and women’s teams, said they were not invited to the meeting. He opposed the exemption of both, but the committee included both of them in the team.
Ravi did not get exemption
Sources reveal that as per the WFI’s selection policy, Bajrang, Vinesh and Ravi Kumar were to be given direct entry into the team as Olympic and World Championship medalists, but Ravi missed the fourth ranking tournament due to injury. This exemption was not granted. It is not yet decided whether Sakshi Malik, Sangeeta Phogat, Jitender Kumar, Satyavrat Kadian, along with Bajrang and Vinesh, will play in the trial. All four are currently preparing abroad.