Vinesh Phogat and Aman Sehrawat spearhead India’s campaign at the Asian Wrestling Olympic Qualifiers in Bishek, Kyrgyzstan
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 "Asian Wrestling Olympic Qualifiers: Indian athletes in contention to book Paris spots (1)")
Vinesh Phogat is the star name from India at the Asian Wrestling Olympic Qualifiers. PTI
Antim Panghal is the only Indian wrestler to have clinched a quota place at the Paris Olympics so far. The 19-year-old bagged the spot in women’s 53kg category en route herbronze medal finish at the 2023 World Wrestling Championshipsin Belgrade, Serbia. More wrestlers, including two-time Olympian Vinesh Phogat, will headline the Asian Wrestling Olympic Qualifiers in Bishek, Kyrgyzstan.
As many as 36 quotas will be up for grabs in 18 weight categories across three disciplines – men’s and women’s freestyle and men’s greco-roman – during the event, with India finding representation in all but one weight category.
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The competition presents Indian wrestlers such as Vinesh (50kg), Reetika Hooda (76kg), the current Under-23 world champion Anshu (57kg), Mansi (62kg) and Nisha (68kg) to put their best foot forward.
No one will be under bigger spotlight than 2018 Asian Games and 2022 Commonwealth Games medallist Phogat. She has been one of the faces of Indian wrestlers’ protest against former national federation (WFI) president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. The 29-year-old, who has been in the news for off-mat reasons since last year, had won the national trials in March in 50kg. Though, at the selection trials in Patiala, she had competed in the 53kg category (same as Antim’s) after the authorities allowed her but she lost in the semifinals.
Coming into the tournament in Bishek, Phogat had alleged that her personal coach and physio were being denied accreditation. She will be desperate to put the noise behind her and display her usual best to make it to what could be her third Olympics.
In men’s freestyle, Aman Sehrawat (57kg) tops the highlight after he earned his place upon outwitting Tokyo Olympic medallist Ravi Dahiya in the national trials. He also looks in good form as he had claimed a gold at the Zagreb Open in January.
Among others, Sujeet will be closely watched as he leads the challenge in 65kg category following the failure of Tokyo bronze medallist Bajrang Punia.
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Deepak Punia (86kg), who had come close to winning a medal at the Tokyo Olympics, will also eye a good outing, while Jaideep (74kg), Deepak (97kg) and Sumit (125kg) will also look to produce their best game to claim a quota for India.
There will be no gold medal, repechage or bronze-medal bouts in the qualifiers with winners of both semi-finals in each Olympic weight class earning a quota for their countries at the Paris Olympics.
In greco-roman, Sumit (60kg), Ashu (67kg), Vikas (77kg), Sunil (87kg), Nitesh (97kg) and Naveen (130kg) will look for a good show.
Indian wrestlers at Asian Wrestling Olympic Qualifiers 2024
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Men’s Greco-Roman: Sumit (60kg), Ashu (67kg), Vikas (77kg), Sunil (87kg), Nitesh (97kg), Naveen (130kg)
Women’s freestyle: Vinesh Phogat (50kg), Anshu Malik (57kg), Mansi (62kg), Nisha (68kg), Reetika Hooda (76kg)
Men’s freestyle: Aman Sehrawat (57kg), Sujeet (65kg), Jaideep (74kg), Deepak Punia (86kg), Deepak (97kg), Sumit (125kg)
How many Indians are in contention at Asian Olympic Wrestling qualifiers?
17 Indian wrestlers will be in the hunt for Paris Olympics quotas in Kyrgyzstan’s Bishkek from 19-21 April. The only exception in India’s representation in the weight categories is women’s 53kg where Antim Panghal has already won a quota spot.
Is this the last opportunity to qualify for Paris Olympics?
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No. The continental qualifiers are the penultimate stop in Paris Games. If a wrestler doesn’t make quota now, they will have another chance at the World Qualification Tournament in Turkey, in May.
What is the format at Asian Olympic Wrestling Qualifiers?
The tournament follows a bracket system with no gold medals, repechage or bronze medal bouts. The two semi-finalists from each weight division will earn quotas for their respective country.
Where to watch the Asian Wrestling Olympic Qualifiers?
The Asian Wrestling Olympic Qualifiers will be live streamed on the United World Wrestling’s (UWW) official website. There will be no live broadcast on a TV channel.
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What is the schedule at the Asian Wrestling Olympic Qualifiers?
19 April, Friday
Men’s freestyle 57kg, 65kg, 74kg, 86kg, 97kg and 125kg qualification rounds - 10:00 AM IST onwards
Men’s freestyle 57kg, 65kg, 74kg, 86kg, 97kg and 125kg Paris 2024 qualification rounds - 5:30 PM IST onwards
20 April, Saturday
Women’s freestyle 50kg, 53kg, 57kg, 62kg, 68kg and 76 kg qualification rounds - 10:00 AM IST onwards
Women’s freestyle 50kg, 53kg, 57kg, 62kg, 68kg and 76 kg Paris 2024 qualification rounds - 5:30 PM IST onwards
21 April, Sunday
Greco-Roman 60kg, 67kg, 77kg, 87kg, 97kg and 130 kg qualification rounds - 10:00 AM IST onwards
Greco-Roman 60kg, 67kg, 77kg, 87kg, 97kg and 130 kg Paris 2024 qualification rounds - 5:30 PM IST onwards
(with inputs from PTI)
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