Despite initial aspirations of a larger men’s freestyle wrestling representation at the Paris Olympics, India’s hopes were partially dashed at the World Olympic Qualifier in Istanbul. Sujeet Kalkal (65kg) and Jaideep Ahlawat (74kg) faced defeat in the repechage rounds, leaving Aman Sehrawat (57kg) as the sole male wrestler to qualify.
India’s wrestling success, however, remained evident in the women’s category. Vinesh Phogat (50kg), Antim Panghal (53kg), Anshu Malik (57kg), Nisha Dahiya (68kg), and Reetika Hooda (75kg) all secured Olympic quotas. Vinesh Phogat, a prominent figure in the recent wrestling protests, faces a crucial decision regarding her weight class. She previously expressed preference for the 53kg class but also qualified in the 50kg category at the Asian Qualifiers. The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president has emphasized that she must choose one weight class for the upcoming selection trials.
Ravi Dahiya (65kg), who is making a comeback from a knee injury, lost to Aman Sehrawat in the March selection trials. However, he remains in contention and will have another opportunity to wrestle for the Paris berth. The selection trials are scheduled for June 10th and will follow a specific format where a challenger will be selected from the top four eligible wrestlers.
India’s overall Olympic wrestling contingent may not be as robust as expected, but the qualification of Aman Sehrawat and the continued dominance of women wrestlers provide a beacon of hope for the country. The wrestlers’ journeys to Paris will be closely monitored as they strive for success on the grandest sporting stage.
