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The Commonwealth Games trials proved to be a turning point for 20-year-old wrestler Aman Sehrawat. Facing Olympic silver medalist Ravi Dahiya, Aman suffered a humiliating 10-0 defeat. However, this setback ignited a fire within him, as he realized the need to overcome the mental pressure that had hindered his performance.Inspired by Dahiya, Aman had always looked up to him as a mentor and guide. But to achieve his Olympic dream, he knew he had to break free from the reverence he held for his idol. Since the trials, Aman has meticulously studied the replay of that match, identifying his weaknesses and vowing to avoid repeating the same mistakes."I realized I was not competing with a free mind," Aman said. "I was playing with the pressure of competing against an Olympic medalist. He was dictating the pace, and I was simply getting drawn into his gameplan."To prepare for the Olympic qualifiers, Aman stopped sparring with Dahiya and focused on improving his technique and mental fortitude. He drew inspiration from Dahiya's journey, knowing that if his mentor could overcome adversity to win an Olympic medal, so could he."Beating him in the trials was not easy," Aman admitted. "I have not gone a single day without watching the replay of the CWG trials, including today. I worked on my weaknesses and stopped sparring with him. We were training with different partners."Their similar wrestling styles resulted in a thrilling high-scoring bout in the Olympic qualifier trials, where Aman emerged victorious with a narrow 14-13 margin. Despite his triumph, Aman acknowledged Dahiya's struggles after returning from injury."You know it is not easy when you have surgery and do not compete enough," Aman said. "Ravi gained weight after injury, and it has taken him time to return to the mat."Aman is now determined to secure an Olympic quota and continue the legacy of his weight class, which has produced renowned wrestlers like Yogeshwar Dutt and Ravi Dahiya.Similarly, 22-year-old Sujeet Kalkal carries the weight of representing India in the 65kg category, previously dominated by Bajrang Punia. Despite not facing Punia in the trials, Sujeet displayed composure and defeated Rohit by superiority in the final."I have been working on this trial for a long time," Sujeet said. "I won titles in National Games and National Championships. So, I kept giving myself small goals and prepared along the way for the trials."Sujeet's technical prowess and international experience, including victories over world-class wrestlers, give him confidence in his ability to succeed on the international stage."This is a weight class where you need speed, stamina, strength, everything," Sujeet said. "I am young and still developing my strength and improving day by day. My game is technical like most international competitors."

Vinesh Phogat, India's star wrestler, has secured her place in the Paris Olympics Qualification tournament in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, after winning the 50kg weight category at the selection trials. However, her participation in the trials was marked by controversy as she demanded a written assurance from the authorities that a final trial will be held in the 53kg weight class before the Olympics.Phogat, who won the gold medal in the 50kg category at the 2018 Jakarta Asian Games, initially refused to compete in the 50kg trials, citing her desire to participate in both the 50kg and 53kg categories. This led to a delay in the start of the trials, as officials discussed her request.Eventually, the ad-hoc committee for wrestling agreed to Phogat's demand, allowing her to compete in both weight categories on Monday. Phogat defeated Shivani 11-6 in the 50kg category, but lost to Anju by technical superiority 0-10 in the 53kg bout.Phogat's demand for a written assurance stems from her previous allegations of sexual harassment against former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) President Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. She fears that if the WFI regains control, the federation may change the selection policy and prevent her from competing in the 53kg category at the Olympics.The IOA ad-hoc panel has already announced that a final trial will be held to pick India's representative in the 53kg category. The best four wrestlers in the weight class will compete in trials near the Games, and the winner will face Antim Panghal, who has already earned an Olympic quota in that category. The winner of that bout will represent India at the Olympics.Phogat's participation in the trials and her demand for a written assurance highlight the ongoing power struggle within the WFI. The federation has been embroiled in controversy since Phogat's allegations against Singh, and the ad-hoc committee was appointed to oversee the sport until the matter is resolved.

The upcoming two-day selection trials for the Paris Olympic qualifiers and Asian Championships will feature India's top wrestlers, including Bajrang Punia, Ravi Dahiya, and Vinesh Phogat. The trials will be conducted by an ad hoc panel in Sonepat and Patiala.Initially, United World Wrestling (UWW) had raised concerns about accepting India's entries for the competitions due to the suspension of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) by the sports ministry. However, after a Delhi High Court hearing, the ad hoc panel was authorized to hold the trials.To ensure official status for the trials and clear India's entry for the tournaments, WFI has agreed to send officials and coaches to monitor the proceedings. The trials for Greco-Roman and freestyle wrestlers will take place in Sonepat on Sunday, while the women's trials will be held in Patiala on Monday.Winners in the Olympic weight categories will represent India in the Asian Olympic Qualifiers and World Olympic Qualifiers. Runners-up will compete in the Asian Championships.Several top wrestlers are returning from injuries, including Ravi Dahiya, Anshu Malik, and Sonam Malik. Antim Panghal, the only Indian to secure an Olympic quota, has received a direct entry to the Asian Championships.Bajrang Punia, a Tokyo Olympics silver medalist, will need to win the trials to qualify for the Asian Olympic Qualifiers. Vinesh Phogat, who underwent knee surgery, will face a fitness test in Patiala.Ravi Dahiya and Aman Sehrawat will compete in the 57kg category, while Yash and Sagar Jaglan will battle for the 74kg berth. Deepak Punia remains the favorite in the 86kg category.In the women's 59kg class, Anshu Malik and Sarita Mor will face off. Both are world championships medalists, with Malik having defeated Mor at the National Championships in Jaipur.The selection trials will be crucial for wrestlers aiming to represent India at the Paris Olympics. The trials will provide an opportunity to assess their form and fitness and determine who will represent the country in the upcoming international competitions.

The United World Wrestling (UWW) has reaffirmed the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) as its sole "affiliated member" with the exclusive authority to "elect and announce their teams" for international tournaments, including the Paris Olympics qualifiers.In a letter to WFI President Sanjay Singh, UWW President Nenad Lalovic emphasized that the WFI is responsible for selecting and announcing teams for continental championships, world championships, Olympic Games Qualifying Tournaments, and other international events. Lalovic, who is also an IOC Executive Board Member, clarified that only UWW-affiliated national federations can register for international events.This clarification comes after the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) ad-hoc panel was assigned the task of conducting selection trials for the Asian Olympic Games Qualifier and Asian Championships following a Delhi High Court hearing. The WFI had initially issued a notice to conduct its own selection trials, but withdrew it after the court ruled that parallel trials could not be held.The Delhi High Court was hearing a plea filed by four protesting wrestlers, Bajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik, and Satyawart Kadian, who challenged the WFI's notice. They argued that the federation had deliberately issued the notice despite being barred by the Sports Ministry from conducting championships and knowing about the ad-hoc committee's announcement of trials.WFI President Sanjay Singh expressed concern that the wrestlers should not suffer and that the country's interests should be prioritized in an Olympic year. He urged the government to ensure that wrestlers have the opportunity to compete and that the best interests of the nation are served.The trials for Greco Roman and freestyle wrestlers will be held at SAI Sonipat on March 10, while trials for women wrestlers will take place at NSNIS Patiala on March 11. The winners in the Olympic weight category will represent India in upcoming Olympic qualifiers, including the Asian Olympic Qualifiers (April 19-21) and World Olympic Qualifiers (May 9-12).

The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) has withdrawn its notice for selection trials for the Senior Asian Wrestling Championships 2024 and Asian Olympic Games Qualifier Wrestling Tournament, scheduled for March 10-11. This decision came after the Delhi High Court intervened, stating that there cannot be two parallel trials.The court directed that the trials will proceed as per the WFI Ad Hoc Committee's February 9 circular, which called for wrestlers to participate in the same event on the same dates. All eligible candidates will be allowed to participate.The court's decision came in response to a plea filed by four wrestlers, including Bajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik, and her husband Satyawart. The wrestlers challenged WFI's February 26 notice, claiming that the federation had deliberately issued it despite being barred by the Union Sports Ministry from conducting championships.The plea also stated that the ministry's January 7 notice, which restrained WFI from conducting competitions, was still in operation. The ministry had categorically stated that any championships organized by the former's suspended executive committee would be treated as unsanctioned and unrecognized.During the hearing, WFI's senior advocate Dayanan Krishnan initially argued that the United World Wrestling (UWW) would not recognize a team not sent by the elected WFI. However, he later withdrew the circular dated February 26, 2024, without prejudice to his rights and contentions.The court emphasized that there should be no parallel selection trials and that the trials should proceed as per the ad hoc committee's circular. The ad hoc committee is responsible for ensuring that all eligible athletes are permitted to participate.The wrestlers' plea also sought to declare WFI's December 21, 2023 elections as illegal. However, the court did not address this issue, as the wrestlers had not made the successful candidates as parties.The Union Sports Ministry suggested that both WFI and the ad hoc committee should put forth dual suggestions regarding the trials. The ministry's primary concern is that medalists should represent India under the national flag.

The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) has announced strict measures to ensure the integrity of the upcoming national trials for the Asian Championships and Asian Olympic Games Qualifiers. The trials, scheduled for March 10-11, will allow wrestlers to compete only from their original states, and no grappler will be permitted to participate in multiple weight categories.The WFI's decision stems from concerns raised over wrestlers representing states other than their own at the recent Senior National Championship held in Jaipur. "Several wrestlers, who actually hailed from Haryana, represented states like Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim at the Nationals conducted by the ad-hoc committee in Jaipur. This is wrong and we will not allow this," a WFI source told PTI.To verify the genuineness of wrestlers' state affiliations, the WFI has instructed them to bring their WFI Licence Book, Birth Certificate, and Adhar Card to the trials. "Sikkim and Arunachal are not even affiliated state bodies. We will not stop anyone from competing, but wrestlers have to come from their original state," the source added.The trials will be crucial in selecting the Indian teams for the Asian Championships and Asian Olympic Games Qualifiers, both scheduled to be held in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. To ensure a strong squad, the WFI has allowed wrestlers to compete in multiple weight categories over the two days of the trials."It will ensure that if a strong wrestler like Aman Sehrawat or Ravi Dahiya misses out on selection in the Olympic weight category (57kg), then he can get a chance in the non-Olympic weight category (61kg). That way, we will have a strong Indian squad," the source explained.However, Antim Panghal, the only Indian grappler to secure an Olympic quota so far, has been exempted from the March 10-11 trials. She will instead compete against the winner of the trials at a later date this month.

Olympic bronze medalist Sakshi Malik has announced her permanent retirement from competitive wrestling, citing the ongoing protest against former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh for alleged sexual harassment. Malik, along with fellow Olympic medalists Bajrang Punia and Vinesh Phogat, has been leading the protest for over a year, demanding Singh's removal and arrest.Malik's decision to retire stems from the mental anguish she has endured during the protest. "It's been more than a year, there is so much mental pressure and we have been trying to fight in every possible way to make this protest a success, so I'll not be able to continue wrestling," she said.Despite her retirement, Malik remains committed to the cause of women's empowerment in sports. "I got (Olympic) bronze for India and I want my juniors to get silver and gold. I would love to see each and every girl in India pursuing her dreams," she added.Malik, Punia, and Phogat have continued their protest even after Singh's removal as WFI head, alleging that the new president, Sanjay Singh, is merely a figurehead and that Singh still wields significant influence. Malik's refusal to come out of retirement rules her out of this month's national trials for the Olympic qualifiers.The WFI was recently granted a reprieve when the provisional suspension on it was lifted by United World Wrestling (UWW) on the condition that the protesting wrestlers would be invited for all trials and there would be no discrimination. However, Malik remains skeptical, stating, "Many people have told me to continue but I don't want to wrestle among people like Brij Bhushan. It feels bad when you see him walking around freely. It seems he is still in control."Malik has personally experienced harassment and is determined to prevent others from facing similar experiences. "I have not just heard about these incidents, I have personally experienced the harassment. I have given up wrestling but youngsters are hoping that our movement will boot out people like Brij Bhushan. We have done everything we could."She appealed to the government to ensure that individuals associated with Singh are not allowed into wrestling's administration. "I am once again pleading with the government to ensure that people related to him are not allowed into wrestling's administration. I will always stay positive and I am hoping for a positive outcome," she said.

The Delhi High Court has issued notices to the Central government and the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) in response to a petition filed by renowned wrestlers Bajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik, and her husband Satyawart Kadian. The petition challenges the legality of the WFI elections held in December 2023 and seeks their nullification.The wrestlers, represented by senior advocate Rahul Mehra, allege that the elections violated the Sports Code and were conducted in a manner that undermines the integrity of the sport. They contend that the WFI has engaged in various wrongdoings, including sexual harassment and attempts to silence and sideline wrestlers who have spoken out against these abuses.The petition specifically targets the election of Sanjay Kumar Singh, a close associate of former WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, as the new president. The wrestlers argue that this election was orchestrated to maintain the influence of Singh, who has been accused of sexual harassment by seven women grapplers.The wrestlers also accuse the WFI of defying directives from the Sports Ministry and the ad-hoc committee appointed to oversee the federation's affairs. They claim that the WFI has continued to conduct selection trials and other activities in violation of these directives, adversely affecting the career prospects of Indian wrestlers.The petition requests the court to declare the WFI elections void and to direct the federation to cease all activities related to wrestling. It also seeks the appointment of a retired Supreme Court judge as an administrator to take over the management of the WFI.The court has granted time to the Central government and the WFI to respond to the petition and has scheduled a further hearing for March 7. The outcome of this case will have significant implications for the future of wrestling in India and the accountability of sports federations.