The ad hoc commission appointed by the IOA has decided to hold the Asian Games wrestling trials behind closed doors after the parents of several wrestlers got into a heated argument with panelists at IG Stadium on Friday. Devastated tempers and heated arguments were the order of the day as angry wrestlers and their relatives threatened to boycott the trials in protest of the exemption given to Olympic medalist Bajrang Punia (65 kg) and World medalist Vinesh Phogat (53 kg).
Wrestlers’ families reached the scene of the trial and argued with the ad hoc panel claiming the decision was “unfair” and “unjust”.
Parents of U20 world champion Antim Panghal and another wrestler Vikas Kaliraman’s father Subhash Kaliraman got into a heated argument with the ad hoc panelists. Sensing trouble, the Ad Hoc Panel decided it will be restricted entry for the trials as no spectators will be allowed in the wrestling hall.
Each wrestler is guided by his coach and masseur.
Ad-hoc panelist Gian Singh said the region’s DCP has been asked to have enough staff to ensure no one enters the venue. The competitions continue according to schedule and on Saturday there will be selection in six Greco-Roman and as many women’s categories. The trials for six men’s freestyle divisions will take place on Sunday.
“Trials will be held tomorrow as the Delhi High Court has not granted a stay,” Singh said.
“It is our job to organize the trials and whoever comes first, we will send his or her name to IOA. The decision on who they (IOA) want to send to the Asian Games after that is their job,” he added.
The wrestling trials for the Asian Games turned into a major controversy after the ad hoc committee handed over direct submissions to Vinesh and Bajrang, who led the protest against outgoing Wrestling Federation of India head Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.
The waivers were not well received by many young wrestlers such as Antim and Sujeet Kalkal, who challenged the decision at the Delhi High Court demanding a fair trial. Even Olympic medalist Sakshi Malik, who was part of the protest against Brij Bhushan and celebrated Yogeshwar Dutt, also questioned the decision of the ad hoc panel.
London Olympic medalist Yogeshwar, who is a member of the IOA’s Athletes Committee, had several meetings with coaches and ad hoc panelists Singh and Ashok Garg, both former wrestlers, and tried to convince them of the injustice being inflicted on younger crop of wrestlers.
Ad-hoc panelist Singh also said trials for World Championships to be held in Belgrade, Serbia in September, will take place next month.
“World Championships will take place between August 10 and 15 between the top four wrestlers in each category from the July 22 and 23 trials and the six protesting wrestlers will also have to compete in those trials if they want to be selected for World Championships,” he said.
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