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After a dismal outing for the Indian men’s freestyle team at the Asian Olympic Qualifiers, the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) on Sunday, April 21 decided to conduct fresh trials to pick the Indian team for the World Qualifiers, which serves as the last chance to secure the Paris Olympics quotas.
Currently, India has secured only four out of 18 spots available for the 2024 Paris Olympics. Notably, all four spots have been earned by women wrestlers. While Antim Phangal (53kg) secured the quota earlier, Vinesh Phogat (50kg), Anshu Malik (57kg) and Reetika (76kg) were the recent one to secure their 2024 Paris spots.
WFI to conduct trials in 14 categories for World Qualifiers
With 14 spot still available from India, the WFI is scheduled to conduct trials in all these remaining categories ahead of the World Qualifiers, starting May 9 in Turkey. The trials will be conducted in two categories (68kg and 62 kg) for women, and six each in men’s freestyle and Greco Roman styles in either last week of April or the first week of May.
“President Sanjay Singh discussed the performances with India’s coaches and selection committee members and they have agreed that this performance was really below par and unacceptable. It has never happened that India have struggled to get a quota even in freestyle,” a source told PTI.
“It has been decided WFI will conduct trials in all 14 categories where quota has not been secured,” the source further added. Furthermore, on being asked if fresh trial will be conducted in the categories India has already secured a quota, the source said, “it will be decided later.”