Wrestlers Protest: It seems unlikely that Bajrang Punia and Vinesh Phogat will return to the mat anytime soon while they are leading a protracted demonstration calling for the arrest of former Wrestling Federation of India head Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh for sexual harassment.
Indian Wrestlers Gear Up for Bishkek Ranking Series
India is getting ready for the ranking series in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, which begins on Wednesday with the trials for the Asian Games and World Championships, which will also serve as a qualification event for the Paris Olympics in three weeks. The Worlds in Serbia starting on September 16 will provide wrestlers their first chance to reserve a spot for Paris. Each weight division offers five available quotas. Bajrang (65 kg), a medalist in the Tokyo Olympics, and Vinesh (51 kg), a medalist thrice at the world championships, would have been front-runners under normal circumstances.
India’s Wrestling Powerhouses Prepare to Pass the Torch
The only Indian wrestlers to take home medals at the worlds last year were Bajrang, 29, and Vinesh, 28. Bajrang is the first Indian wrestler to have won four medals in the world championships after making a strong injury recovery. After experiencing disappointment at the Tokyo Olympics, Vinesh resurrected her career by winning gold at the Birmingham CWG and bronze at the Worlds. However, the fact that the two best wrestlers’ careers are in jeopardy presents a chance for young people to excel. Coach Virender Dahiya, who will be travelling with the squad to Bishkek, believes that rising star Antim Panghal, the junior world champion, along with CWG medalist Pooja Gehlot and 2022 Asian medalist Sushma Shokeen, will step up in Vinesh’s absence. There is also Ankush Panghal, the U-23 world championships silver medallist in 50kg.
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Antim Concentrating on next trails
Antim, 19, gained notoriety last year as the first Indian woman wrestler to win a junior world championships title, and she is largely seen as Vinesh’s replacement. Her successful transition to the senior circuit was demonstrated by her silver medal at the Asian Championships in February. She is now concentrating on the next trials. Contrary to Antim, no one has ever been capable of taking Bajrang’s place. Sujeet Kalkal, a global junior bronze medalist and the reigning national champion, has displayed flair. Anuj Kumar also lost, this time in the quarterfinals of the Asian Championships. He is Bishkek’s 65 kg entry. Sujeet is paying close attention to the trials.
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Father’s Belief and Dedication Drive Wrestler’s Pursuit of Excellence
Dayanand Kalkal, Sujeet’s father and instructor, believes the 20-year-old can increase his level. He opted to forego the U-23 trials in order to focus on getting ready for the Asian and Worlds trials. He has performed admirably in all of his opportunities to date. at a ranking series last year, he defeated US athlete Yianni Diakomihalis, who had defeated Bajrang at the World Championships. He has achieved gold at the U-20 and U-23 levels in Asia. They will have a chance in the continental qualifying events and the World Olympics qualifying events the following year if no one reserves a Paris berth in Belgrade. The Wrestling Federation of India modified the selection standards such that the quota winner must triumph in domestic trials to demonstrate his form. The trials are likely in June third week.
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