In a setback for Indian wrestling, Tokyo Games medallists Bajrang Punia and Ravi Dahiya were eliminated from the race for qualification for the Paris Olympics after losing their respective bouts in the selection trials.
Punia, who has been a prominent figure in the wrestling scene and known for his vocal protests against former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) President Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, suffered a crushing defeat in the men’s freestyle 65kg semifinal against Rohit Kumar. The defeat came as a shock to many, especially considering Punia’s stature in the sport. Prior to his loss to Rohit Kumar, Punia barely managed to secure a victory against Ravinder with a score of 3-3 on criteria. However, had Ravinder not conceded a caution point during the bout, Punia would have faced elimination in the opening round itself.
Following his elimination from the trials, Punia left the Sports Authority of India (SAI) Centre abruptly. Despite efforts by National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) officials to collect a sample for a dope test, Punia did not stay back for the third-fourth place bout. It’s worth noting that Punia had trained extensively in Russia to prepare for these trials, which were being organized by the IOA ad-hoc panel.
However, Punia had previously won a case in the Delhi High Court, arguing that the suspended Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) had no authority to conduct the trials. This legal victory added a layer of complexity to the selection process.
Meanwhile, in the men’s 57kg category, another Tokyo Games medallist, Ravi Dahiya, faced a similar fate. Dahiya, who was making a comeback from injury, lost his opening bout against Aman Sehrawat by a close margin of 13-14. Both Dahiya and Sehrawat train at the renowned Chhatarsal Stadium. Despite Dahiya’s best efforts to stage a comeback, Sehrawat managed to secure the win.
Aman Sehrawat’s rise in the wrestling scene has been notable, with consistent performances and medals in various tournaments throughout 2023. His victory over Dahiya, an accomplished wrestler himself, further solidified his reputation as a rising star in Indian wrestling.
Following his loss to Aman Sehrawat, Dahiya faced another defeat in his next bout against U20 Asian champion Udit, leading to his elimination from the trials. These losses dealt a blow to Dahiya’s hopes of securing a spot in the Paris Olympics.
The winners of the trials will earn the opportunity to represent India at the Asian and World Olympic Qualifiers, crucial events for securing berths at the Paris Olympics. With only one quota secured so far by Antim Panghal in the women’s 53kg category, the pressure is on Indian wrestlers to perform well in the upcoming qualifiers.
The elimination of seasoned wrestlers like Bajrang Punia and Ravi Dahiya underscores the challenges and competitiveness of the selection process. It also highlights the depth of talent in Indian wrestling, with emerging stars like Aman Sehrawat making their mark on the sport.
As Indian wrestlers regroup and prepare for future competitions, the focus will be on identifying areas for improvement and strategizing for success in the upcoming qualifiers. Despite the setbacks faced in the trials, the spirit of determination and resilience among Indian wrestlers remains unwavering as they continue their pursuit of Olympic glory.
