The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) has confirmed that there will be no selection trials for the upcoming Paris Olympics 2024. This means wrestlers who secured quotas during qualifying events will directly represent India at the prestigious multi-sport event.
This decision brings clarity for wrestlers facing uncertainty regarding the selection process. Earlier media reports suggested trials might be held, causing anxiety amongst athletes like World Championships medalist Vinesh Phogat, who urged authorities to finalize the selection process.
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Focus on Training, Not Trials
Two women wrestlers, Nisha Dahiya and Reetika Hooda, had recently secured quotas for India. They expressed concerns to the WFI about conducting trials due to the limited time remaining before the Paris Olympics 2024. Factors like the risk of injuries and the additional stress of weight management for trials were also highlighted.
The WFI President, Sanjay Singh, confirmed the decision following a meeting with the selection committee members and coaches of both men’s and women’s teams. “All decided that whoever got the quota, will represent India in the Olympics,” announced Sanjay Singh. He expressed hope that this move will provide much-needed relief to the athletes, allowing them to focus entirely on training.
#WATCH | Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president Sanjay Singh says, "All the members of the selection committee were present and it was decided that the rule we followed was that whoever got the quota would go for the Paris Olympics…" pic.twitter.com/4obyDw9VNE
— ANI (@ANI) May 21, 2024
Former Olympic medalist Yogeshwar Dutt welcomed the decision, stating that it aligns with past practices where quota winners represented India at the Olympics. He accept the confusion caused by the initial talk of trials and expressed his hope for clarity and hard work leading to potential medals. “We hope for two medals atleast. New kids have a lot of energy. Wrestling has suffered a lot of damage, but our players have a nice morale,” he concluded.
India’s Quota Journey
India’s journey towards securing Paris Olympics 2024 quotas began in May 2023 with Antim Panghal’s quota in the 53kg category at the World Wrestling Championships. Vinesh Phogat (50kg), Anshu Malik (57kg), and Reetika Hooda (76kg) further strengthened India’s position by securing quotas during the Asian Qualifiers held in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, last month.
Aman Sehrawat secured the first quota in the men’s freestyle category (57kg) at the Istanbul meet, marking a significant achievement. Nisha Dahiya’s quota in the women’s 68kg category brought India’s total to 6, exhausting the remaining opportunities for Paris 2024 quotas in wrestling.
Despite securing quotas in six categories, India couldn’t secure any quotas in Greco-Roman wrestling. Notable names like Sunil Kumar (87kg) and Ravi Kumar Dahiya (57kg) fell short during the qualifiers. Deepak Punia, who secured a fifth-place finish at the 2020 Olympics, also couldn’t secure a quota for India.
The focus now shifts towards intense training and preparation for the wrestlers who will represent India at the Paris Olympics 2024. The decision to forego trials allows them to dedicate their energy solely towards peak performance, aiming to bring home medals and raise the nation’s flag high.
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