Vinesh Phogat makes it to Asian Olympic qualifiers amid high drama

Patiala: Celebrated Indian woman wrestler Vinesh Phogat on Monday made it to the Asian Olympic qualifiers in 50kg category after being allowed to fight in an unprecedented two weight divisions during the trials where she allegedly skipped a dope test and held up proceedings for almost three hours.

Vinesh, who has been at the forefront of an emotionally-charged protest against former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh after accusing him of sexual harassment, defeated Shivani 11-6 to book a place in the qualifiers to 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 medallist.

On Monday, Vinesh appeared in 50kg as well as the 53kg category trials after she apparently held up the bouts for three hours, demanding the unparalleled exception for herself. The IOA's three-member ad-hoc committee, which was in-charge of the proceedings, allowed her following several rounds of discussion.

What added to the drama was her alleged refusal to give samples for a dope test after the bouts.

"The NADA team was here to collect the dope samples of the national trial winners but Vinesh did not give her sample," said a federation source.

However, an ad-hoc committee official said on conditions of anonymity that he was "not aware" of any such evasiveness on Vinesh's part.

As per NADA rules, "evading sample collection; or refusing or failing to submit to sample collection without compelling justification after notification by a duly authorised person" could constitute an anti-doping rule violation.

Vinesh, meanwhile, said she was happy with the "small victory" she has attained for herself.

"...but the main focus remains on the Olympics. In a month, there are (Olympic) qualifications (events) followed by the Games itself. My sole target is the Olympics. If luck is on my side, I believe, I can achieve what I couldn't in the last two Olympics," Vinesh told PTI Video.

"Six years ago, I competed in the 50kg category, facing numerous challenges, especially with reducing the weight and post-operative recovery. Despite the hurdles, I'm determined to focus on the Olympic qualifiers," she asserted.

Before she appeared for the bouts, Vinesh demanded a written assurance from the authorities that a final trial will be held in the 53kg weight class before the Olympics.

She, however, lost the bout to Anju by technical superiority 0-10.

"I was aiming to compete in the 53kg category, (but) considering Antim Panghal has already secured a quota and due to unclear guidelines, I participated in the 50kg category as well. Winning a quota in the 50kg category for India would also be an immense honour for me," she said.

The ad-hoc committee's decision to allow her to compete in two weight categories is bound to raise eyebrows because as per Article 7 of the United World Wrestling (UWW) a contestant can be allowed to take part in only one weight category on a single day.

"Each contestant deemed to be taking part of his/her own free will, and responsible for himself/herself, shall be allowed to compete in only one weight category: the one corresponding to his weight at the time of the official weigh-in," the UWW rule states.

Her insistence to be given a chance in two divisions led to some grapplers, competing in the 50kg weight class, complaining to the officials regarding the delay.

"We waited for two-and-(a)-half hours (for the trials to commence)," a wrestler said.

This was despite the IOA ad-hoc panel already announcing that a final trial will be held to pick India's representative in 53kg category later. The best four wrestlers in 53kg will compete in trials nearer to the Olympic Games and the winner will be asked to compete with Antim.

The winner of that bout will represent India.

"Vinesh wants an assurance from the government. Probably she fears that if WFI gets back the control, the federation may change the selection policy. But how can the government give assurance on this? The government can't interfere in selection matters," said a coach, present at the trials. 

The three-member ad-hoc committee's chairman, Bhupender Singh Bajwa, however backed Vinesh and said the decision to make a concession for her was unanimous.

"We responded to Vinesh's request to compete in both categories, the entire committee agreed to accommodate her request and allowed her to participate in both," said Bajwa.

So far, only Antim (53kg) has secured a Paris Olympics quota place.

Vinesh said the government needs to do more to support the sport.

"Unfortunately, the Indian government has provided little support to wrestling in the past one-and-a-half years. This lack of support has significantly impacted wrestlers, and I urge the government to prioritise and support wrestling more seriously," she claimed.

The men's trials concluded on Sunday and Bajrang Punia, who has been constant in the protest against Sharan Singh along with Vinesh and Sakshi Malik, lost in the 65kg division.

Results: Trials winners (Women): 50kg: Vinesh Phogat

53kg: Anju

55kg: Tamanna

57kg: Anshu Malik

59kg: Pushpa Yadav

62kg: Mansi

65kg: Antim

68kg: Nisha

72kg: Harshita

76kg: Reetika