Others

The recent turmoil in Indian wrestling has had a significant impact on the sport's growth and development, according to Olympic medalist Yogeshwar Dutt. The sustained protests by top grapplers, including Sakshi Malik, Bajrang Punia, and Vinesh Phogat, against former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh led to a halt in wrestling activities for nearly a year and a half.This disruption had a cascading effect, with national camps and competitions being postponed. It adversely affected preparations for Olympic qualification events and, in turn, preparations for the Paris Games. Dutt expressed his disappointment with the situation, stating that it has severely affected the sport's growth and negatively impacted its followers.The turmoil also resulted in fewer Indian male wrestlers qualifying for the Games. In previous Olympics, three to five male wrestlers had qualified, but for Paris, only Aman Sehrawat has secured a spot. However, Dutt praised the women wrestlers for securing five spots, which he believes is a positive development.Dutt declined to comment on Vinesh's prospects at the Games, as she has moved up to the 50kg category. He expressed hope that the women wrestlers can win one or two medals, highlighting the experience of Antim Panghal and others.Dutt also emphasized the importance of continuing the tradition of Indian wrestlers winning medals at the Olympics. He expressed confidence that the six wrestlers representing India in Paris, including five women, can maintain this legacy.

Indian wrestling has established itself as a dominant force in the Olympics, with medal-winning performances in every edition since 2008. This success has elevated wrestling's status in the country, inspiring young athletes and raising hopes for continued excellence.Sushil Kumar's bronze medal in Beijing 2008 marked a turning point, followed by his silver in London 2012 and Yogeshwar Dutt's bronze in the same Games. Sakshi Malik's bronze in Rio 2016 and the double delight of Ravi Dahiya and Bajrang Punia in Tokyo 2021 further cemented India's wrestling prowess.However, the sport faced a setback due to prolonged protests against the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) by elite wrestlers. This led to the suspension of national camps and domestic competitions, creating uncertainty and confusion.Despite these challenges, India has qualified six wrestlers for the upcoming Paris Olympics: Aman Sehrawat (men's freestyle 50kg), Vinesh Phogat (women's 50kg), Antim Panghal (women's 53kg), Anshu Malik (women's 57kg), Nisha Dahiya (women's 68kg), and Reetika Hooda (women's 76kg).Aman Sehrawat:Sehrawat's steady progress has earned him a spot in the 50kg weight division, replacing Olympic silver medalist Ravi Dahiya. His strengths lie in his stamina and endurance, making him a formidable opponent in long bouts. However, his limited strategy and technique could be a weakness.Vinesh Phogat:Phogat is one of India's most accomplished female wrestlers, known for her solid defense and impressive attack. However, her lack of quality mat time in recent years and the weight cut to 50kg could pose challenges.Antim Panghal:Panghal's flexibility and ability to escape her rivals' grips make her a dangerous opponent. However, her lack of recent competition due to a back injury could be a concern.Anshu Malik:Malik's quick movement and aggressive style have made her a promising prospect. Despite her experience at the Tokyo Olympics, her fitness is a worry due to a suspected shoulder injury.Nisha Dahiya:Dahiya's aggressive game style and fearless approach have earned her a spot in the Paris Games. However, her lack of exposure to major events and tendency to lose steam in the later stages of bouts could be weaknesses.Reetika Hooda:Hooda's explosive strength and technique make her a potential threat to her rivals. However, her habit of conceding points in the closing seconds of bouts could be a vulnerability.

Indian wrestling star Vinesh Phogat has made a triumphant start to her Olympic preparations, capturing the women's 50kg gold medal at the Grand Prix of Spain in Madrid. The victory marks a significant milestone in Phogat's journey towards the Paris Olympics in 2024.Phogat, a two-time World Championship bronze medalist, showcased her dominance throughout the tournament. In the final, she faced Mariia Tiumerekova, a former Russian wrestler now competing as an Individual Neutral Athlete. Phogat displayed her superior technique and determination, securing a 10-5 victory to claim the gold medal.The road to the final was equally impressive for Phogat. She began her campaign with a convincing 12-4 points victory over Pan American champion Yusneylis Guzman of Cuba. In the quarterfinals, she registered a win by fall against Madison Parks of Canada, a silver medalist at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. Phogat's semifinal bout against another Canadian, Katie Dutchak, was equally dominant, as she emerged victorious with a 9-4 points margin.Phogat's triumph in Madrid is a testament to her unwavering commitment and hard work. The 29-year-old former Asian Games gold medalist has been training relentlessly in preparation for the Paris Olympics. Her victory in Spain provides a much-needed boost of confidence and momentum as she gears up for the biggest stage in sports.After her successful outing in Spain, Phogat will travel to France for a 20-day training stint. This training camp will serve as a crucial step in her preparations for the Paris Games, where she will aim to add an Olympic medal to her impressive resume.

World championships medallist wrestler Vinesh Phogat has appealed for urgent assistance from the Sports Minister, Ministry of External Affairs, and other authorities after her visa for Spain was delayed. Phogat is scheduled to compete at the Grand Prix of Spain 2024 in Madrid, with her flight departing on Wednesday night. However, she has yet to receive her visa.In a social media post, Phogat expressed her concern and requested the intervention of the concerned authorities. She tagged the Ministry of External Affairs, Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, and the Consulate General of France in Bangalore in her post."Dear authorities, I'm requesting for urgent help. I applied for my Schengen visa in Bangalore on 24th June. I have to leave tonight for a competition in Spain on 6th July but have no information on my visa. Requesting @mansukhmandviya @BangaloreFrance @MEABharat to help," she posted.The competition in Spain is scheduled from July 5 to 7, with the women's event slated for July 6. Phogat is also scheduled to attend training camps in Madrid, Spain, and Boulogne sur-Mer, France.Phogat's visa delay has raised concerns about the efficiency of the visa application process for Indian athletes. The timely issuance of visas is crucial for athletes to participate in international competitions and represent their country.The Sports Ministry and the Ministry of External Affairs have not yet responded to Phogat's request for assistance. However, it is expected that they will take immediate action to resolve the issue and ensure that Phogat can participate in the Grand Prix of Spain.

The Mission Olympic Cell (MOC) of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports has extended its support to several Indian athletes preparing for the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The MOC has approved proposals from renowned sportspersons, including wrestler Vinesh Phogat, pistol shooter Arjun Cheema, paddler Manika Batra, and boxer Lovlina Borgohain.Vinesh Phogat, a two-time Commonwealth Games gold medalist, has received financial assistance for a competition and training camp in Madrid, Spain, followed by a training camp in Boulogne sur-Mer, France. She will compete in the Grand Prix in Spain in July before spending a week in training there. She will then head to Boulogne sur-Mer, France, for a 20-day training camp ahead of the Olympic Games.Pistol shooter Arjun Cheema has also secured approval for an 11-day training camp in Austria. The MOC has also approved overseas training camps for Indian javelin throwers Ajeet Singh and Sandeep Choudhary, who will train in Germany for 45 and 41 days, respectively.Para-Club and Discus Thrower Pranav Soorma's request for assistance under the Target Olympics Podium Scheme (TOPS) to compete in the Para Athletics Championship in Krusevac, Serbia, and train for 10 days at the same location has also been approved.Triple jumper Eldhose Paul, boxer Lovlina Borgohain, and table tennis players Sreeja Akula and Manika Batra have also received assistance to compete in various international tournaments. Manika Batra's proposal for assistance towards the purchase of a DHS Table to train in India and Para-Athlete Bhagyashree Jadhav's proposal for assistance towards procurement of wheelchair and shot-put equipment were also sanctioned.Wrestler Antim Panghal's request for assistance towards the boarding and lodging of her coach during the UWW 2nd Ranking Series and the training camp at Olympic Training Centre, Tata, Hungary, and badminton players Rakshitha Sree and Anmol Kharab's request for assistance to compete in the Kaohsiung Masters (BWF super 100) event were also approved.In addition, the MOC has promoted five TOPS Athletes to the Core Group from the Development Group. These are boxers Nishant Dev, Jaismine Lamboria, and Preeti Pawar as well as table Tennis players Manav Thakkar and Archana Kamath.

The Sports Ministry has approved a comprehensive training plan for several elite Indian athletes in preparation for the upcoming Paris Olympics. The Mission Olympic Cell (MOC) has sanctioned proposals for Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra, Asian Games gold medalist Vinesh Phogat, and a host of other athletes across various disciplines.Chopra, who made history as India's first track and field Olympic medalist in Tokyo, will embark on a 60-day training stint in Europe from May 29 to July 28. Accompanied by coach Klaus Bartonietz and physio Ishaan Marwaha, he will train at various venues across the continent. The financial assistance under the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) will cover expenses such as airfare, accommodation, meals, medical insurance, and local transport.Vinesh Phogat, who will compete in the 50kg division in Paris, has received approval for the inclusion of strength and conditioning coach Wayne Patrick Lombard in her international training camp in Hungary from June 10 to 21. She will also participate in the United World Wrestling 2nd Ranking Series - Polyák Imre & Varga János Memorial from June 6 to 9 in Budapest.Long jumper Shaili Singh's request to extend her training camp in Europe to June 23 has been granted. She will train in Lisbon, Paris, Athens, and Geneva under the guidance of coach Bobby George.Shotgun shooters Rajeshwari Kumari and Maheshwari Chauhan have been permitted to take their personal coaches to a training camp in Italy in June. Rajeshwari's coach David Kostelecky will accompany her from June 1 to 14, while Maheshwari's coach Riccardo Fillipelli will train her from May 31 to June 11.Badminton bronze medalist HS Prannoy has received financial assistance to engage trainer Rohan George Mathews on a full-time basis from June 20 to July 22 in Hyderabad. He will also utilize the services of a center that provides recovery products such as Hyperbaric Oxygen therapy and Red Light therapy.Other athletes who have received MOC approval include recurve archer Atanu Das, sailor Vishnu Sarvanan, and para powerlifter Ashok.The Sports Ministry's support for these athletes underscores its commitment to providing them with the necessary resources to excel on the international stage and bring glory to India at the Paris Olympics.

The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) has announced that no selection trials will be held for the Paris Olympics, and the six wrestlers who have secured quotas for the country will represent India in Paris. This decision has come as a surprise to many wrestlers, including Tokyo Olympics silver medalist Ravi Dahiya, who were preparing for the trials.The five women wrestlers who have earned Olympic berths are Vinesh Phogat (50kg), Antim Panghal (53kg), Reetika Hooda (76kg), Nisha Dahiya (68kg), and Anshu Malik (57kg). Aman Sehrawat (57kg) is the only male wrestler to have secured a quota.WFI president Sanjay Singh stated that the seven-member selection committee unanimously decided to exempt quota-earning wrestlers from trials for the Paris Olympics, citing "a one-time exception in the current peculiar circumstances." The committee members, including chief coaches Jagmander Singh (men) and Virender Singh (women), believed that conducting trials at this short notice could impact the wrestlers' performance at the Olympics and increase the risk of injuries."Five wrestlers had written to us to not hold trials as it will affect their preparation. They will have to reduce weight and it will shift their focus on trials. Since there is little time left for the Paris Olympics, the selection committee has decided to not hold trials and select the quota winners for the Olympics team, as WFI has been doing previously," said Singh.The decision has disappointed Ravi Dahiya, who was hoping to challenge Aman in the selection trials. Dahiya, who is recovering from an ACL surgery, had lost to Aman in the selection trials in March for the two qualification competitions for Paris Olympics."I was preparing for the trials because we were told that the Paris Olympics team will be selected through trials. Now suddenly they are saying that there will be no trials. I don't know what to say," Dahiya told Hindustan Times."I was injured for a long time and it has taken time to recover. Since then I have been focusing on my training. The Paris Olympics is all I have been preparing for.. aur kya hai batao aap (What else is there for me?) It is very disappointing. I am trying to reach out to WFI. I will decide on my next step tomorrow," said Dahiya.The decision has also affected other wrestlers, including Sarita Mor, who was preparing to challenge Anshu Malik for a Paris berth. "We just came back today from a training stint in the US," said her husband and coach Rahul Mor. "Now they are saying that there is little time for Paris, but the trials were to take place only after all the qualifiers were over. So why this change of decision?"Vinesh Phogat, on the other hand, felt that the WFI's decision vindicated her call to compete in two weight classes for the Olympic qualification trials in Patiala. "A lot of people criticized me when I trialled in two weight categories (50kg and 53kg) in March but I knew WFI will be up to some mischief later," said Vinesh. "That's why I participated in two weight divisions in Patiala. All this while, we were told there will be a trial but suddenly they announce there won't be any trial. Is it fair to the wrestlers who appeared in the 53kg trials?"The WFI's decision has raised questions about the fairness of the selection process and the impact it will have on the wrestlers' morale. It remains to be seen if any wrestler will challenge the decision in court.

Vinesh Phogat, Anshu Malik, and Reetika have all advanced to the semifinals of the Asian Olympic Qualifier in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, putting them one step closer to securing a quota for the Paris Olympics.Vinesh, competing in the 50kg category, dominated her opponents with ease. She quickly dispatched her Korean rival Miran Cheon in just 1 minute and 39 seconds, followed by a swift victory over Cambodia's Smanang Dit. Vinesh's strong hold and gut wrench moves proved too much for her opponents.Anshu Malik, the 2021 World Championship silver medalist, also had a strong performance. She received a direct entry into the quarterfinals and defeated Kyrgyzstan's Kalmira Bilimbekova by technical superiority.U23 world champion Reetika (76kg) showcased her class by outclassing Eunju Hwang of Korea and Davaanasan Enkh Amar of Mongolia. In her final group bout against China's Juang Wang, Reetika fought back after conceding six straight points to secure a narrow victory.Mansi Ahlawat (62kg) also advanced to the last-four with a 6-4 win over Kazakhstan's Irina Kuznetsova.However, Nisha Dahiya (68kg) was the only Indian wrestler who failed to reach the semifinals. Despite winning her opening bout against Sol Gum Pak of North Korea, she was outclassed by local favorite Meerim Zhumanazarova in round 2. Nisha's exhaustion from the previous bout proved costly, and she was unable to recover in the must-win round 3.The finalists at this competition will earn quotas for their respective countries. The last chance to win a Paris Games quota will be at the World Qualifiers in Turkey from May 9.

Indian Wrestlers Aim for Paris Games Quota at Asia Olympic QualifiersThe road to the Paris 2024 Olympics begins in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, as 17 Indian wrestlers, including two-time Olympian Vinesh Phogat, embark on their quest for quota places at the Asia Olympic qualifiers starting Friday.With 36 quotas up for grabs in 18 weight categories across freestyle, women's, and Greco-Roman disciplines, India will be represented in all but one weight category. Antim Panghal has already secured a quota in women's 53kg after her bronze medal performance at the 2023 World Wrestling Championships.The spotlight will be on Vinesh Phogat, a former Asian Games and Commonwealth Games medalist, who has been at the forefront of Indian wrestlers' protests against the former national federation president. Despite recent controversies, the 29-year-old will be eager to prove her worth and earn a spot in her third Olympics.Other Indian wrestlers to watch include Reetika Hooda (76kg), Anshu (57kg), Mansi (62kg), and Nisha (68kg) in the women's categories. In the men's freestyle category, Aman Sehrawat (57kg) will be the center of attention after defeating Tokyo Olympic medalist Ravi Dahiya in the national trials. Sujeet will lead the challenge in the 65kg category, while Deepak Punia (86kg), Jaideep (74kg), Deepak (97kg), and Sumit (125kg) will also aim for quota places.In Greco-Roman, Sumit (60kg), Ashu (67kg), Vikas (77kg), Sunil (87kg), Nitesh (97kg), and Naveen (130kg) will represent India.The continental qualifiers will feature no gold medal, repechage, or bronze-medal bouts. Instead, the winners of both semi-finals in each Olympic weight class will earn a quota for their countries at the Paris Games.