WFI chief Sanjay Singh to hold meeting on Tuesday to decide on need of wrestling trials; reveals plans for Vinesh Phogat - Report
Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president Sanjay Singh has reportedly called for a meeting on Tuesday (May 21) to discuss the path for trials to decide the Olympic quotas.
With just more than two months left for the Summer Olympics in Paris, the WFI is yet to announce a structural format for the selection trials for the quadrennial event, wherein India has confirmed six quotas.
Speaking exclusively to sports video news agency NNIS Sports, WFI chief Sanjay Singh said that the federation will decide on the necessity of trials for the Indian grapplers in the upcoming meeting.
"We will decide in tomorrow's meeting whether there will be trials or not," Sanjay Singh told NNIS Sports.
World Championship bronze medalist Vinesh Phogat secured a quota in the women's 50 kg category at the Asian Olympic Qualifiers in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. She wrote an open letter to the WFI, asking to provide clarity on the format of trials for all the Indian grapplers, including the quota winners.
Vinesh reduced her weight recently to contend for a spot in the 50 kg category after she competed in the 53 kg for a long time. Speaking about Vinesh competing in trials, Sanjay Singh said:
"If the trials happen, she can choose the category she wants to compete in, either 50 kg or 53 kg. If the trials are not held, then Vinesh will compete in 50kg at the Paris Olympics."
Who are the other Indian wrestlers with quotas for Olympics?
Two-time U-20 world champion Antim Panghal was the first Indian to secure a wrestling quota for the country after she won the bronze medal in women's 53 kg freestyle at the World Wrestling Championships in Belgrade, Serbia, last year.
Anshu Malik (women's 57 kg) and Reetika Hooda (women's 76 kg) joined Vinesh to bring India three Olympic quotas from the Asian Olympic Qualifiers held last month.
Surprisingly, India has managed to seal just one quota for male wrestling events. Aman Sehrawat recently secured the lone Olympic quota in the men's section (57 kg) at the World Qualifiers in Istanbul, Turkey.
Nisha Dahiya added to India's sixth and fifth quota in the women's category after she defeated Romania's Alexandra Anghel in the 68 kg semi-finals at the World Qualifiers.