The Indian wrestling team is gearing up for the upcoming Asian Championships and crucial Olympic Qualifiers, and the selection trials held recently in Sonipat threw some surprises. While established names like Ravi Dahiya and Bajrang Punia couldn’t make the cut, a new generation of wrestlers stepped up to claim their spots.

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The biggest story of the trials was the emergence of young talent. In the highly competitive 57kg category, Aman Sehrawat emerged victorious. This might come as a surprise to some, considering the presence of Tokyo Olympics silver medalist Ravi Dahiya. However, Sehrawat has been on a roll lately, winning medals in almost every tournament held in 2023 while Dahiya was out of action. Their head-to-head clash at the trials was a nail-biter, with Sehrawat edging out Dahiya 14-13. Sehrawat’s dominance continued in the finals, where he secured a convincing 10-0 win. This impressive performance cemented his position as India’s representative in the upcoming qualifiers.

🚨 Bajrang Punia has lost badly in the trials organized for the Paris Olympic qualifiers.

Ravi Dahiya also faced defeat. Both won't be able to participate in the Paris Olympics

Poonia was defeated by Rohit Kumar by a HUGE margin of 9-1. pic.twitter.com/TpHsIKVzch

— The Flash…!⚡ (@Call_It_Flash) March 10, 2024

Ravi Dahiya’s Struggle

Sehrawat’s success highlights a changing tide in Indian wrestling. While Dahiya remains a legend, his recent form hasn’t been at par with his past achievements. He even lost to Udit, a young wrestler who is making waves in the U20 category. This double defeat effectively ended Dahiya’s challenge for a spot in the qualifiers.

Similar Story in the 65kg Category

The story was somewhat similar in the 65kg category. National champion Sujeet Kalkal emerged victorious, defeating Rohit Kumar in a dominant 10-0 display. Notably, Rohit Kumar had earlier secured a convincing win against Bajrang Punia, another Olympic medalist. Punia himself couldn’t secure a spot in the trials. He managed to win his third-place bout but reportedly didn’t stay back for the dope test, raising questions about his participation.

Selection Process and the Road to Paris

The selection process for the upcoming events is quite straightforward. Winners in the Olympic weight categories (like 57kg and 65kg) will represent India in the Asian and World Olympic qualifiers. These qualifiers are crucial, as they offer a chance for wrestlers to secure berths in the prestigious Paris Olympics. Meanwhile, winners in non-Olympic weight categories and runners-up in the Olympic categories will compete in the Asian Championships.

So far, India has only secured one quota for the Paris Olympics through Antim Panghal in the women’s 53kg category. The upcoming qualifiers offer a golden opportunity for more wrestlers to join her. The performance of young talents like Aman Sehrawat and Sujeet Kalkal provides a glimmer of hope. While established stars like Ravi Dahiya and Bajrang Punia face challenges, the future of Indian wrestling seems to be in good hands. These young wrestlers will be looking to continue their impressive form and book their tickets to the biggest sporting stage – the Olympics.

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