Unhappy and concerned at Indian men's team's below par show at the Asian Olympic Qualifiers, the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) on Sunday decided to conduct fresh trials to pick Indian team for World Qualifiers which will be the last chance to secure quota places for the Paris Olympic Games. (More Sports News)
Out of 18 possible quota places, India have earned only four and all through women wrestlers, including Vinesh Phogat. The others who have earned quotas for the q✅uadrennial extravaganza are Antim Panghal (53kg) Anshu Malik (57kg), Reeti🅰ka (76kg).
There are still 14 categories left and winning at World Qualifiers, starting May 9 in Turkey, will𒉰 be a tougher tas🅠k compared Asian Qualifiers held in Bishkek.
The WFI will conduct trials in all these 14 categories -- two in wo𓂃men (68, 62) and six each in men's freestyl🍨e and Greco Roman styles in either last week of April or in the first week of May.
"President Sanjay Singh discussed the performance with India's co♏aches and selection committee members and they are agreed that this performance was really below par and unacceptable. It has never happened that India have struggled to get a quota even in free stylꦰe," said a source.
"It has been decided WFI will conduct trials in all 14 cateꦑgories where quota has not been sec🐻ured," added the source.
Asked if fresh trials will be conducted in ꦇcategories where India have already locked or send the quota winners to Paris, the source said, "it will be decided ꧃later."
"Probably after the Turkey Qualifiers, a de🧸cision will be made on that," he added.
Such was the plight of the Greco Roman wrestlers that they even stru🎃ggled to clear their respective first round bouts.
