Camera: Shiv Kumar Maurya
Video Editor: Deepthi Ramdas
30 wrestlers, almost 30 change-ups and controversies – that’s probably the best way to describe India’s lead up to the 2018 World Wrestling Championships in Budapest, starting 20 October.
Take for example the merry-go-round between Vinesh Phogat, Ritu Phogat and Pinki (not a Phogat). Vinesh of course has won everything there was to win this year in the 50 kg category and was India’s number one pick for the world championships. So much so, that the Federation didn’t even ask her to give a trial.
Now set that aside.
One category higher and in the 53 kg, Ritu and Pinki would have had to fight it out in June at the joint selection trials for the Asiad and World Championship, but Ritu missed her flight to Lucknow and Pinki became India’s official entry for both the events. But at the Asiad, she made an early exit and the Federation decided they wanted to hold a fresh trial for the category ahead of the world championship. Pinki, who had ‘won’ her spot in both events refused to even turn up for the trial and thus Ritu emerged as India’s official entry into the 53 kg category.
Now bring back the 50 kg category and Vinesh Phogat. On 23 September, she announced she was injured and pulling out of the World championships.
And then, yep! Back comes Pinki into her regular 53 kg event and Ritu Phogat is bumped up to replace her sister in the 50 kg.
Entry Without Trial
Speaking of automatic entries, Sushil Kumar was initially given one for the world championships. Geeta Phogat almost got one, Sakshi Malik has got one and with the pull out of Divya Kakran, so has Navjot Kaur.
Let’s start with Sushil. He won a gold at the Commonwealth Games but a first-round exit from the Asian Games and the Federation decided to withdraw their direct entry card for the pro and asked him to take the mat once again for a spot in Budapest.
Sushil, though, has since cited an injury and pulled out of the games, making way for Jitender to compete in the 74 kg category.
Geeta Phogat also was a direct entry in the 59 kg category as a replacement for her sister Sangeeta Phogat, who told the Federation she was injured. It was set to be her big comeback but a month later, Sangeeta said she was not injured and Geeta was out of the squad.
Sakshi Malik hasn’t been able to replicate the form that helped her become the first female Indian wrestler to win an Olympic medal. She won only a bronze at the CWG and then nothing at the Asiad, and the Federation again demanded that she give a trial for the world championships. Sarita Mor was her opponent but she too got injured and pulled out, and Sakshi has one more shot at redemption this year.
One Undisputed Entry
The ONE undisputed direct entry who will be heading to the world championship this time is also India’s best shot at a medal in Budapest – Bajrang Punia. The only wrestler, apart from Vinesh, to win a gold at the Asiad and Commonwealth Games this year, Bajrang has a bronze from the 2013 world championships as well. He has also become the first-ever Indian to be seeded at a world championship with the organisers billing him as the third seed in the 65kg category.
The only other wrestler who medalled at both the Asiad and CWG – Divya Kakran – will also be missing in action in Budapest after picking up an injury, and has made way for Navjot Kaur to compete in the 68 kg event.
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