NEW DELHI: Determined to secure her spot for the Paris Games, star wrestler
Vinesh Phogat
took a proactive approach by delaying the commencement of the selection trials in the women's 50kg and 53kg categories. She insisted on receiving written assurance from the authorities guaranteeing a final trial in the 53kg weight class before the Olympics.
Upon the ad-hoc committee for wrestling conceding to her request, Vinesh, the gold medalist from the Jakarta
Asian Games
, triumphed over Shivani with an 11-6 score in the 50kg weight category, earning her place in the
Paris Olympics
Qualification tournament in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan next month.
However, in the 53kg bout, she faced a setback, losing to Anju by technical superiority with a score of 0-10.
Vinesh, who had previously accused former WFI president
Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh
of sexual harassment and spearheaded a prolonged protest against the BJP MP, arrived at the SAI center in the morning to participate in the 50kg trials.
Contrary to Article 7 of the
United World Wrestling
(UWW), which permits a contestant to participate in only one weight category on a single day, Vinesh took part in trials for two distinct weight categories on Monday.
"Each contestant deemed to be taking part of his/her own free will, and responsible for himself/herself, shall be allowed to compete in only one weight category: the one corresponding to his weight at the time of the official weigh-in," rules Article 7 of the UWW.
The 29-year-old used to compete in 53kg before the protest but has lowered her weight class since Antim Panghal has already earned an Olympic quota in that category.
However, Vinesh did not let the competition start and demanded a written assurance. She also sought permission to compete in both 50kg and 53kg trials on Monday, leading to a bizarre situation.
The officials went into discussions.
The wrestlers, competing in the 50kg weight class, also complained to the officials regarding the delay.
"We are waiting since the past two and half hours," they said.
This despite the IOA ad-hoc panel already announcing that a final trial will be held to pick India's representative in 53kg. The best four wrestlers in 53kg will compete in trials near the Games and the winner will be asked to compete with Antim.
The winner of that bout will represent India.
"Vinesh wants an assurance from the government. Probably she fears that if WFI gets back the control, the federation may change the selection policy. But how can the government give assurance on this? The government can't interfere in selection matters," a coach, present at the trials, told PTI.
(With inputs from PTI)
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