Upcoming Selection Trials set for Paris Olympic wrestling qualifiers next month

The ad hoc committee overseeing wrestling in India has announced that trials to select teams for upcoming Olympic Qualifiers and the Asian Championships will be held on March 10-11. Originally scheduled for February 27-29, the trials were postponed due to delays in organizing the senior Nationals.

The trials will take place for women wrestlers at NIS Patiala and for Greco Roman and Freestyle wrestlers at SAI Sonipat. Winners in Olympic weight categories will represent India in the Asian Olympic Qualifiers and World Olympic Qualifiers, while winners in non-Olympic weight categories will compete in the Senior Asian Championships.

Significance of trials

The Olympic quotas secured by wrestlers like Antim Panghal belong to the country and not the individual wrestler. Therefore, the trials are crucial as they determine which wrestlers will represent India in international competitions. Top wrestlers like Bajrang Punia, Ravi Dahiya, Deepak Punia, and Vinesh Phogat are expected to participate in the trials to secure their spots for the Olympics.

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The Asian Olympic qualifiers and Asian Championships will both take place in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, while the World Olympic Qualifiers will be held in Istanbul, Turkey. India has a successful history in wrestling at the Olympics, having won at least one medal in each edition since 2008.

Recent developments

Recent events, including the senior Nationals in Jaipur, saw the return of prominent wrestlers like Vinesh Phogat to the mat after a break. With the competition heating up, anticipation grows for potential clashes between top wrestlers vying for Olympic spots.

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Overall, the selection trials mark a crucial step in determining India's representation in international wrestling competitions, with athletes aiming to continue India's success in the sport at the Olympic level.