Last Panghal objected to Vinesh getting direct entry for Asian Games, said- I was cheated. Loktej Sports News

Hisar, 19 July (H.S.). Women’s wrestler Avinash Panghal has questioned the exemption granted to Vinesh Phogat by the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) for direct entry in the Asian Games 2023. Panghal, the reigning U-20 world champion, released a video in which he highlighted his achievements over the past year.

Panghal said in the video, “Vinesh Phogat is being sent directly, he has no achievement last year but still he is being sent directly.” Even in the Commonwealth Games trials, I had a 3-3 fight with him. Still, I was cheated…there should be a fair trial.

“Last year, in the Junior World Championships, I won the gold medal and became the first woman wrestler from India to achieve this feat. In the 2023 Asian Championships, I won a silver medal, but Vinesh has no achievements to show in the last one year.

According to sources, the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) has a rule that if there is a situation where Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) athletes need an exemption (world champions and Olympic medalists) they can get it . Rio Olympics bronze medalist Sakshi Malik was not exempted as she is not a TOPS athlete and has to appear for trials.

An emotional Panghal said athletes like him are working hard and should get a “fair” chance to qualify. Vinesh Phogat had withdrawn from the Budapest Ranking Series 2023 due to illness on the eve of the tournament.

Panghal said, “I just want to know why she has been given direct entry, on the basis of which she is going to the Asian Games. Sakshi Malik has also won an Olympic medal, she is also not being sent. What is so special about Vinesh? Just conduct trials. I am not saying that I am the only one who can beat Vinesh. There are many other girls who can beat her.

“They are also saying that one who goes for the Asian Games will also go for the World Championship, and one who wins a medal in the World will go to the Olympics (in Paris). We have also been training hard over the years.’ So, what about us? I request you to support me like you supported Vinesh, I have practiced for four years, and I just want to know why he has been selected… should we quit wrestling? Tell us on what basis he (Vinesh) is being sent.

Olympians Bajrang Punia, Sakshi Malik and Vinesh Phogat along with other wrestlers were protesting in the national capital earlier this year over the arrest of former WFI chief Brij Bhushan Singh on allegations of sexual harassment. Delhi Police has filed a chargesheet in connection with the FIR registered against Brij Bhushan on the complaint of the protesting wrestlers.