New Delhi: Wrestler Antim Panghal has expressed frustration towards Vinesh Phogat after the latter was granted direct entry into the Asian Games, despite not participating in any international events for a year. The Wrestling Federation of India’s (WFI) ad-hoc panel’s decision to allow direct entries to Bajrang Punia and Vinesh Phogat has stirred controversy, as it was made without the approval of the national chief coaches. This move is expected to face opposition from other wrestlers and their coaches, who advocate for fair selection through trials.
The IOA’s ad-hoc panel, overseeing the WFI’s operations, issued a circular stating that they have already chosen wrestlers for the men’s freestyle 65kg and women’s 53kg categories, excluding Bajrang and Vinesh from trials. However, trials will still be conducted for all six weight categories across the three styles of wrestling.
While the circular did not explicitly name the exempted wrestlers, Ashok Garg, a member of the ad-hoc panel, confirmed that both Bajrang Punia and Vinesh Phogat were granted direct entries. However, the decision to grant them direct entry has raised concerns due to their lack of participation in international tournaments this year, stemming from their protest against WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.
Antim Panghal has made significant strides in the 65kg category and has been vocal about her dissatisfaction with Phogat’s entry into the Asian Games. In a video, she recounted her past bout with Phogat during the Commonwealth Games trial, which ended in a 3-3 tie, leaving her feeling cheated. Panghal expressed her desire for a fair trial in the selection process and questioned the decision to grant Phogat direct entry, given her prolonged absence from practice and competitions.
Panghal, a gold medalist in the 2022 Junior World Championship and a silver medalist at the senior Asian Championship this year, emphasized equal opportunities for all women wrestlers and called for transparency in the selection process. She asserted that her concerns were not solely about her capabilities but about ensuring a level playing field for all wrestlers.