In the latest development over the Indian wrestlers going into the Asian Games 2023, Bajrang Punia and Vinesh Phogat have been exempted from the trials for the event. The WFI ad-hoc panel handed wrestlers a direct entry for the continental event in China. The decision is made without the consent of national coaches.
The IOA ad-hoc panel issued a circular where it confirmed that the selection for the Men's freestyle 65Kg and Women's 53Kg categories has been made. But, trials for all six weight categories in three wrestling styles will be done. Though the panel did not name the wrestlers' names in the circular, Ashok Garg, a panel member, gave confirmation to PTI that these wrestlers have received an exemption.
Notably, the trials for the Asian Games wrestling squad will be done from July 22 onwards. Greco-roman and women's freestyle will be held on July 22 and the men's freestyle will take place on July 23. Punia falls in the 65 kg category, whereas Vinesh is a 53kg grappler. Both the wrestlers are training outside the country for the Games. While Vinesh is in Budapest in Hungary, Bajrang is training in Issyk-Kul in Kyrgyzstan.
OCA extends the deadline for sending wrestlers' names
Recently, the Olympic Council of Asia granted a week's extra time to the Indian Olympic Association to send the names of competing wrestlers in the Asian Games. As per the new deadline, the names of the Indian wrestlers need to be submitted by July 22. Speaking to PTI, a source close to IOA's ad-hoc panel said, "The IOA officials tried their best but the OCA gave a week's extension and that too they (OCA) said was being granted under exceptional circumstances. So, this is the final and we have to send the names of our wrestlers by July 22."
While the demand from IOA was till August 5 but the source said that an extension beyond July 22 wasn't possible. "They (OCA) do not want to do something exceptional for India only. So, further extension is not possible, this (July 22) is the final," the source added.
