Vinesh Phogat got entry in Asian Games 2023, there was a ruckus, wrestlers raised questions on not having trial

Vinesh Phogat has been exempted from selection trials for the Asian Games, prompting fellow wrestlers to question the process. Reigning U-20 world champion Anhalt Panghal has questioned the special exemption given to Vinesh. He said that there are many Indian wrestlers who can beat Vinesh in 53 kg category.

 

Significantly, the Ad-hoc Committee of the Indian Olympic Association on Tuesday decided to give direct entry to Vinesh (53kg) and Bajrang Punia (65kg) in the Asian Games. The anger of the wrestlers has come to the fore after both the players got direct entry. In this connection, other wrestlers will have to give trials which will be held on 22 and 23 July.

 

Please tell that 19-year-old Panghal, a resident of Hisar, also comes down in 53 kg. He asked how Vinesh got selected despite not practicing for so long. Senior Asian Championship silver medalist Panghal said in a video, “Vinesh Phogat will get a direct entry in the Asian Games even though she did not even practice for the last one year.” He has no achievement in the last one year.

 

She said, “Last year in the Junior World Championship, I won the gold medal and became the first Indian woman wrestler to do so. In the Asian Championship 2023, I won a silver medal while Vinesh did nothing. She was also injured.” Panghal said, “Sakshi Malik has won an Olympic medal but she too is not being sent. What is so special about Vinesh that he is being sent directly. Get the trial done. Not only me but there are many girls who can beat Vinesh.

 

Vinesh is being sent directly to the Asian Games because of her medal win at the World Championship last year. She is currently practicing in Budapest, Hungary. Panghal said that injustice was meted out to him at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games as well. “The officials cheated in the match against him in the Commonwealth Games trials. I said none. I will try to qualify for Paris Olympics through Asian Games but now they are sending Vinesh.” She said, ”They are also saying that only those who go to Asian Games will go to World Championship. Those who win medals in the World Championship will go to the Olympics. We have been working hard for so many years so what about us.” He said, ”Should we give up wrestling. Tell us on what basis he is being sent.

 

Vishal Kaliraman, who plays in the 65 kg category, has also given a statement on not conducting the trial of Bajrang Punia. He said that Bajrang Punia has been given entry in Asian Games without trial. For the past one year, Bajrang Punia has been staging a dharna while other wrestlers like me are practicing. Our appeal is that trial should be conducted for all, otherwise the players will go to court for this injustice. Players have been practicing for 15 years.