Bajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogat exempted from Hangzhou Asian Games trials: Sources

According to sources, India’s top wrestlers Bajrang Punia and Vinesh Phogat will go straight to participate in the upcoming Asian Games, Hangzhou, without attending the national trials.

The ad-hoc committee set up by the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has decided to exempt him from the trials. 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 .

As per the guidelines, the ad-hoc committee can exempt those athletes as the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) did not exempt the IOA.

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Rio Olympics bronze medalist Sakshi Malik was not exempted as she is not a TOPS athlete and hence will have to appear for trials.

Punia and Vinesh were among the wrestlers who protested against Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Singh, against whom allegations of sexual harassment were leveled.

Vinesh, a two-time world championship medalist and reigning Asian Games champion, was all set to return to the mat at the Budapest Ranking Series 2023.

However, he opted to withdraw from the 55kg weight category after informing the organizers as well as the Sports Authority of India (SAI) about his inability to compete due to “fever and food poisoning”, according to Olympics.com .

Last week, the National Anti-Doping Agency issued a notice to Vinesh Phogat for “apparent failure” to comply with the whereabouts requirements of the anti-doping rules and gave her two weeks to respond.

“I am writing to give you formal notice to inform you of your apparent failure to comply with the ADR’s locus requirements, and invite any comments you may have before reaching a final decision on the matter.” Please read this letter carefully as it may have serious consequences for you,’ read the notice from NADA.

The notice also revealed that Vinesh had declared herself available for testing at Sonepat, Haryana in her most recent Whereabouts filing on June 27 at 10:00 pm.

Ahead of the upcoming Games, both the players have also visited Kyrgyzstan and Hungary for international training camps. An official release said that the duo sent their proposals to the TOPS team of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS) on June 29 and it was approved within 24 hours of their request.

While Olympic medalist Bajrang Punia has gone to Issyk-Kul, Kyrgyzstan for a 36-day training camp, World Championship medalist Vinesh first went to Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan for a week’s training and then Tata, Hungary for an 18-day training camp Are.

Vinesh is accompanied by physiotherapist Ashwini Jeevan Patil, sparring partner Sangeeta Phogat and coach Sudesh. Bajrang will also be accompanied by coach Sujit Mann, physiotherapist Anuj Gupta, sparring partner Jitender and strength and conditioning specialist Qazi Hasan.

The government will finance the air tickets, board and lodging cost, camp expenses, airport transfer cost, OPA and other miscellaneous costs of Vinesh, Bajrang, their teammates Sangeeta Phogat and Jitendra and coaches Sudesh and Sujit Mann, the release said.

In addition, the cost of other support staff accompanying the wrestlers will be borne by Olympic Gold Quest (OGQ).