Trials For World Wrestling Championships On August 25-26 In Patiala; Bajrang Punia And Vinesh Phogat Yet To Confirm Participation

The trials for the wrestling World Championships will be held on August 25-26 in Patiala, the ad-hoc panel announced on Monday, ending weeks of uncertainty around the selection competition but participation of Bajrang Punia and Vinesh Phogat is not yet confirmed. The exemption given to Punia and Vinesh from the Asian Games trials had created a huge furore with majority of the wrestling fraternity criticising the decision taken by the ad-hoc panel. The IOA-appointed committee has decided not to give exemption to any wrestler for the Worlds trials; rather it is irritated that neither Bajrang nor Vinesh has confirmed participation.

An ad-hoc panel member, on conditions of anonymity, told PTI that if these two wrestlers do not want to compete, then actually there is no need to hold trials in all six Olympic weight-categories because the wrestlers have already been tested through the Asian Games trials.

The wrestlers have already complained that they were being asked to appear in the trials twice in a short period, saying it takes a toll on their health and could lead to injuries.

"Bajrang and Vinesh are not giving us any clarity if they will compete in the Worlds trials. And if they do not want to compete then we do not need to hold trials for six Olympic weight classes again. We just then need to hold trials in four non-Olympic weights," said the panel member.

"After getting a favourable order from the High Court for their Asian Games participation without trials, they feel their place in the Indian squad is secured. (But) we really want them to compete (in the Worlds trials) and prove themselves." Antim Panghal (53kg) and Sujit Kalkal (65kg) had moved the High Court against the trial exemption given to Bajrang and Vinesh