The Ad Hoc Committee based its choice on the selection guidelines of the wrestling federation, although Ravi Dahiya, the current Olympic silver medalist who is also eligible for an exemption, is not given the same weight.
Bajrang Punia and Vinesh Phogat, who won medals at the World Championships and organized the demonstrations against former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, have been granted an exemption from the Asian Games selection trials.
Other protesting wrestlers, like as Sakshi Malik and reigning Olympic silver medalist Ravi Dahiya, have not received the same kindness.
The Asian Games selection trials will take place in New Delhi on July 22 and 23, with women’s and Greco-Roman bouts taking place on the first day and men’s freestyle on the second.
Six weight categories, including the classes of Bajrang (65 kg) and Vinesh (53 kg), will have trials in all three formats. Winners in those two categories, however, will be listed as reserves.
There was no new information regarding the World Championship selection trials, which will take place prior to the Asian Games.
The Asiad’s name submission date is July 23, while the Worlds’ deadline is August 15.
“As per the WFI Regulations of Selection Trials, the Selection Committee has already selected Wrestlers in the 65 kg (free style) and 53 kg (Women Wrestling) for the Asian Games 2022,” Bhupinder Singh Bajwa, a member of the ad-hoc committee in charge of carrying out day-to-day WFI operations, wrote in his directive for the trials. But these weight categories will go to trial, and the chosen wrestlers will be kept on standby.
‘Iconic players’ are qualified for an exemption from trials, according to the WFI’s selection criteria, which was in force before the federation was de-authorized in the wake of the sexual harassment lawsuit against Brij Bhushan.
The guidelines specify that “Selection trials in all weight categories are mandatory.” However, if the head coach or a foreign expert recommends a player, the selection committee may choose him or her without a trial, such as an Olympic or World Championship medalist.
Bajrang won a bronze medal in the Tokyo Olympics and the World Championship last year, and Vinesh also placed third at the 2022 Worlds. However, Ravi Dahiya, who took home a silver medal in the Olympics in Tokyo, is also qualified for an exemption under the terms of the selection process.
According to a source on the ad hoc committee, Dahiya was given consideration for an exemption, but his recent ailments cast doubt on his readiness. “In accordance with the Asian Games squad selection policy, those who have recently won medals at the Olympics and World Championship may be chosen without further consideration. As a result, Ravi is qualified, and his name was brought forward. However, since he has been battling with ailments, coaches and committee members believed a trial was required in his category. Bajrang and Vinesh were the only competitors to take home a medal in the most recent World Championship, the source added.
Wrestlers who won medals at the Senior National Championship, Open Ranking Tournaments, National Games, Under-23 and Under-20 World as well as Asian Championship, those who competed at the Tokyo Olympics, and the top three finishers of the senior, under-20, and under-23 selection trials held this year will be permitted to compete in the trials, per the ad hoc committee’s directive. Wrestlers can also be nominated for the trials by state federations.
In Hungary and Kyrgyzstan, respectively, Bajrang and Vinesh are currently undergoing instruction outside of India.
