After the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) ad-hoc committee gave an exemption to protesting wrestlers Bajrang Punia and Vinesh Phogat for the Asian Games 2023, fellow wrestlers Vishal Kaliraman and Antim Panghal have voiced their objections and demanded a fair trial.Earlier, the WFI confirmed that wrestlers Bajrang Punia and Vinesh Phogat, who among others have been protesting and demanding the arrest of Brij Bhushan Singh, will compete in the upcoming Asian Games.Wrestlers Bajrang Punia and Vinesh Phogat likely to go to the Asian Games directly without appearing for trials after the Ad-hoc committee gives them exemption: Sources(file photos) pic.twitter.com/Pr9X4VwDrC— ANI (@ANI) July 18, 2023While the ad-hoc committee installed by the Indian Olympic Association gave an exemption to the two wrestlers for direct entry, other wrestlers will have to secure their spots in the Indian squad via selection trials that will be conducted on July 22 and 23.Punia will compete in the 65 kg category, while Phogat will compete in the 53 kg category.Antim Panghal demands fair trial, moves to Delhi HC over WFI decisionWrestler Antim Panghal, who is the reigning Under-20 World Champion, released a video on her social media where she highlighted her achievements over Vinesh Phogat and demanded a fair selection trial.#WATCH | Wrestler Antim Panghal says, Vinesh (Phogat) is being sent directly, she doesnt have any achievements in the last one year but despite that, she is being sent directly. Even in the Commonwealth Games trial, I had a 3-3 bout with her. Then too, I was cheated…A fair… https://t.co/X6b5LzOuyd pic.twitter.com/gdVKPdd0Bq— ANI (@ANI) July 19, 2023In the video, a visibly emotional Panghal said, “Vinesh [Phogat] is being sent directly, she doesnt have any achievements in the last year but despite that, she is being sent directly. Even in the Commonwealth Games trial, I had a 3-3 bout with her. Then too, I was cheated…A fair trial should be conducted.“Last year, in the Junior World Championships, I won a 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 achievement to show in the last one year. She was also injured.“I will try to qualify for the Olympics by attending the [Hangzhou] Asian Games. But now they are saying they will send Vinesh. This is not done.“I just want to know, why she has been given direct entry, on what merit she is going to Asian games. Sakshi Malik has also won an Olympic medal, she too is not being sent. What is so special about Vinesh that she is being sent Just organise trials. I am not saying that I am the only one who can beat Vinesh. There are several other girls who can beat her.“They are also saying that the one who goes for the Asian Games will also go for the World Championships. And the one who wins a medal at the Worlds will go to the Olympics [in Paris]. We have also been training hard for years. So, what about us“I request you to support me like you supported Vinesh Phogat, I have practised for four years, and I just what to know why they are selected….. Should we leave wrestling Tell us on what basis is she [Vinesh] being sent.”Antim Panghal, along with fellow wrestler Sujeet Kalkal, has moved to the Delhi High Court to challenge the exemption provided to the two protesting wrestlers.Dont want any favour: Wrestler Kaliraman on WFI exemption to Bajrang PuniaWrestler Vishal Kaliraman, who competes in the 65 kg category like Bajrang Punia, also lodged his protestations at the ad-hoc committees decision.Speaking to the news agency ANI, Kaliraman said, “Even I play in the under 65 kg category and for the Asian Games Bajrang Punia has been given direct entry without any trial. They have been staging a protest for a year now, while we have been practising. We appeal for a trial, we dont want any favour or benefit [for Punia].“At least a trial should be conducted otherwise we are ready to go the court. We will appeal before the court. Weve been practising for 15 years.“All I want is that there should be a fair method of the trail. Bajrang should compete in the trial.”#WATCH | Delhi: Wrestler Vishal Kaliraman says, Even I play in the under 65kg category and for the Asian Games Bajrang Punia has been given direct entry without any trial. They have been staging a protest for a year now, while we have been practising. We appeal for a trial… We… https://t.co/X6b5LzOuyd pic.twitter.com/IOSmRDlXFR— ANI (@ANI) July 19, 2023He further confirmed that if the committee did not change its decision, he would seek legal recourse like Panghal.“If the matter is not solved then we will take the case to court, if needed we will protest as well,” he said.He further said, “I have been wrestling for the last 15 years, what is it of any use if I am not being able to give a trial and other players are given a direct entry“There are other wrestlers as well who bagged medals for India. Like Ravi Dahiya, and Deepak Punia who got a medal in the Olympics, why Bajrang Punia is selected for the 65 kg weight category for Asian Games.”
