Wrestling Federation of India confirms no trials for wrestlers, quota winners to participate in Paris Olympics

The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president Sanjay Singh on Tuesday confirmed that that no trials will be held for the Paris Olympics 2024 and the wrestlers who won the quota will represent India at the Summer Games. The WFI long had a policy of sending the quota winners to the Olympics but it was changed in 2021 under Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. The idea behind the change in policy was to ensure that the country sends its best in-form wrestlers to the Olympics.

But the federation has now decided to reverse its policy.

Read: There is no one like Vinesh Phogat

The latest decision also comes after a few of the quota winners asked WFI not to hold trials so close to the Olympics which starts on 26 July.

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WFI head Sanjay said that the decision not to hold trials will benefit the quota winners and allow them to focus on the Olympics.

"All decided that whoever got the quota, will represent India in the Olympics," Sanjay Singh told news agency ANI. "Players will now feel relieved and they will be able to focus. We will help them with the best training facilities abroad, in consultation with coaches," he said.

WFI's decision also means there will be no trial between Vinesh Phogat and Antim Panghal for the 53kg category. The 53kg category is Vinesh's favourite class but Antim won that quota with a World Championship bronze last year. Later Vinesh won the 50kg quota at the Asia Olympic Qualifiers in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, last month by cutting down weight.

Read: Vinesh, women wrestlers save India the blushes but only one men's quota a sucker punch

The other quota winners from India are Anshu Malik (57kg), Nisha Dahiya (68kg), Reetika Hooda (76kg) and Aman Sehrawat (57kg).

All six wrestling quotas have come in the freestyle category.