The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) ad-hoc council exempted bronze medalist from the Tokyo Olympics Bajrang Punia and two-time world championship medalist Vinesh Phogat from participating in the selection trials and granted them direct admission for the forthcoming Asian Games 2023 on Tuesday.
Bajrang and Vinesh’s names were not mentioned in the circular, which was signed by Bhupender Singh Bajwa, Member-Ad-hoc committee, but it did state that wrestlers for the men’s freestyle 65kg and women’s 53kg divisions had already been chosen.
However, selection trials will be held in each of the 18 weight divisions, including the Bajrang and Vinesh divisions. The winner of the trials in the men’s freestyle 65 kg and women’s freestyle 53 kg weight categories will be held in reserve.
The exemption was given in accordance with the Wrestling Federation of India’s (WFI) guidelines for the Asian Games selection trials.
The dates of July 22 and 23 are set aside for the Asian Games 2023 wrestling selection trials. At the IG Stadium in New Delhi, the men’s freestyle trials will take place on July 23, while the greco-roman and women’s freestyle trials are set on July 22.
Notably, Vinesh and Bajrang both represented the protest against former WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh for sexual harassment when they were training abroad.
Other wrestlers are allegedly dissatisfied with the decision and may seek legal action because Bajrang and Vinesh were granted an exemption to compete at the Asian Games in Hangzhou in September-October.