Wrestler Vinesh Phogat is in the Asian Olympic qualifiers after unprecedented drama in trials

29-year-old Vinesh Phogat is an Asian and Commonwealth Games gold medalist. She also represented India twice at the Olympics.

Patiala: Celebrated Indian women’s wrestler Vinesh Phogat on Monday advanced to the Asian Olympic qualifiers in the 50kg category after being allowed to fight in an unprecedented two weight divisions in the trials where she reportedly skipped a doping test and delayed the proceedings for almost three hours. Phogat, who spearheaded an emotionally charged protest against former Wrestling Federation of India chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh after accusing him of sexual harassment, defeated Shivani 11-6 to book a place in the qualifiers which will be held in Bishkek. Kyrgyzstan from April 19 to 21.

The 29-year-old is a two-time Olympian and an Asian and Commonwealth Games gold medalist. On Monday she appeared in both the 50kg and 53kg category trials after apparently holding out the fights for three hours and claiming for herself the unprecedented exception. The IOA’s three-member ad hoc committee, which was in charge of the procedure, conducted several rounds of discussions.

Adding to the drama was her alleged refusal to provide samples for drug testing after the fights. “The NADA team was here to collect the dope samples from the national trial winners but Vinesh did not give her sample,” a federation source told PTI. However, an official of the ad hoc committee told PTI on condition of anonymity that he was “not aware” of any such evasion on Vinesh’s part.

According to NADA rules: “evading sample collection; or refusing or failing to submit to sample collection without compelling justification upon notification by a duly authorized person” could constitute an Anti-Doping Rule Violation (ADRV).

Vinesh, meanwhile, said she was happy with the ‘small victory’ she achieved for herself. “…but the main focus remains on the Olympic Games. In a month there will be (Olympic) qualifications (events), followed by the Games themselves. My only goal is the Olympic Games. If luck is on my side, I think I can achieve what I couldn’t achieve in the last two Olympics,” Vinesh told PTI Video.

“Six years ago I competed in the 50kg category, where I faced numerous challenges, especially in terms of weight reduction and post-operative recovery. Despite the hurdles, I am determined to focus on the Olympic qualifiers,” she asserted.

Before appearing for the competitions, Vinesh demanded a written assurance from the authorities that a final trial would be held in the 53 kg weight class before the Olympics. However, she lost the fight to Anju by technical superiority 0-10.

“I wanted to compete in the 53kg category, but since Antim Panghal has already secured a quota and due to unclear guidelines, I also participated in the 50kg category. Winning a quota in the 50kg category for India would also be a huge honor for me,” she said.

The Ad Hoc Committee’s decision to allow her to compete in two weight categories will undoubtedly raise eyebrows, as Article 7 of the United World Wrestling (UWW) stipulates that a competitor may only compete in one weight category in one day. .

“Any competitor who is deemed to be participating of his own free will and responsible for himself may compete in only one weight category: the category corresponding to his weight at the time of the official weigh-in,” the UWW rule states.

Her insistence on getting a shot in two divisions caused some commotion at the trial venue, where some competitors from the 50 kg weight class complained to the officials about the delay. “We waited two and a half hours (for the trials to start),” said one wrestler.

This is despite the fact that the IOA’s ad hoc panel had already announced that a final hearing will take place later to choose India’s representative in the 53kg category. The top four 53kg wrestlers will compete in trials closer to the Olympics and the winner will be asked to compete with Antim. The winner of that fight will represent India.

“Vinesh wants assurance from the government. She probably fears that if WFI regains control, the federation will change its selection policy. But how can the government provide certainty about this? The government cannot interfere in selection matters,” a coach, present at the trials, told PTI.

However, chairman of the three-member ad hoc committee Bhupender Singh Bajwa backed Vinesh and said the decision to make concession for her was unanimous. “We responded to Vinesh’s request to participate in both categories. The entire committee agreed to accommodate her request and allowed her to participate in both categories,” Bajwa told PTI.

So far, only one wrestler, Antim Panghal (53kg), has secured a quota place for the Paris Olympics. Vinesh said the government should do more to support the sport. “Unfortunately, the Indian government has provided little support to wrestling over the past year and a half. This lack of support has had a significant impact on wrestlers, and I urge the government to more seriously prioritize and support wrestling,” she claimed.

The men’s trials concluded on Sunday with Bajrang Punia, who along with Vinesh and Sakshi Malik constantly protesting against Sharan Singh, lost in the 65kg division.