Antim Panghal is the only Indian wrestler to have bagged a quota place at the Paris Olympics so far. The 19-year-old earned a spot in the women’s 53kg category en route to her bronze medal at the 2023 World Wrestling Championships in Belgrade, Serbia. Other wrestlers, including two-time Olympian Vinesh Phogat, will headline the Asian wrestling Olympic qualifiers in Bishek, Kyrgyzstan.
As many as 36 quotas will be up for grabs in 18 weight categories across three disciplines – men’s and women’s freestyle wrestling and men’s Greco-Roman – during the event, with India represented in all but one weight category.
The competition features Indian wrestlers such as Vinesh (50 kg), Reetika Hooda (76 kg), current under-23 world champion Anshu (57 kg), Mansi (62 kg) and Nisha (68 kg) for do their best.
No one will be in the spotlight more than Phogat, a medalist at the 2018 Asian Games and the 2022 Commonwealth Games. She was one of the faces of Indian wrestlers’ protest against the former president of the national federation (WFI) , Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. The 29-year-old, who has been making headlines since last year, had won the national trials in March in the 50kg category. However, during the selection trials in Patiala, she had competed in the 53 kg category (the same as Antim) after the authorities had allowed it, but she lost in the semi-final.
Arriving at the Bishek tournament, Phogat claimed that his personal trainer and physio were denied accreditation. She will desperately need to put the noise behind her and do her best to make it to what could be her third Olympics.
In men’s freestyle wrestling, Aman Sehrawat (57kg) tops the rankings after earning his place by defeating Tokyo Olympic medalist Ravi Dahiya in the national trials. He also appears to be in good form having won a gold medal at the Zagreb Open in January.
Among others, Sujeet will be closely watched as he leads the challenge in the 65kg category following the failure of Tokyo bronze medalist Bajrang Punia.
Deepak Punia (86 kg), who came close to winning a medal at the Tokyo Olympics, will also look to have a good outing, while Jaideep (74 kg), Deepak (97 kg) and Sumit (125 kg) will also look to produce their best game to claim a quota for India.
There will be no gold, repechage or bronze medal fights in qualifying, with the winners of the two semi-finals in each Olympic weight class earning a quota for their country at the Paris Olympics.
In Greco-Roman, Sumit (60kg), Ashu (67kg), Vikas (77kg), Sunil (87kg), Nitesh (97kg) and Naveen (130kg) will be looking for a good show.
Indian wrestlers at the 2024 Asian Wrestling Olympic Qualifiers
Men’s Greco-Roman wrestling: Sumit (60 kg), Ashu (67 kg), Vikas (77 kg), Sunil (87 kg), Nitesh (97 kg), Naveen (130 kg)
Women’s freestyle wrestling: Vinesh Phogat (50 kg), Anshu Malik (57 kg), Mansi (62 kg), Nisha (68 kg), Reetika Hooda (76 kg)
Men’s freestyle wrestling: Aman Sehrawat (57 kg), Sujeet (65 kg), Jaideep (74 kg), Deepak Punia (86 kg), Deepak (97 kg), Sumit (125 kg)
How many Indians are competing in the Asian Olympic wrestling qualifiers?
17 Indian wrestlers will be racing for quotas for the Paris Olympics in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan from April 19-21. The only exception in India’s representation in the weight categories is the women’s 53kg category, where Antim Panghal has already won a quota place.
Is this the last opportunity to qualify for the Paris Olympics?
No. The continental qualifiers are the penultimate stage of the Paris Games. If a wrestler doesn’t reach their quota now, they will get another chance at the World Qualification Tournament in Turkey in May.
What is the format of the Asian Olympic wrestling qualifiers?
The tournament follows a bracket system with no gold medals, repechage or bronze medal fights. The two semi-finalists in each weight category will earn quotas for their respective countries.
Where to watch the Asian wrestling Olympic qualifiers?
The Asian Wrestling Olympic Qualifiers will be streamed live on the official website of United World Wrestling (UWW). There will be no live broadcast on any television channel.
What is the schedule for the Asian wrestling Olympic qualifiers?
April 19, Friday
Men’s Freestyle Wrestling Qualification Rounds 57kg, 65kg, 74kg, 86kg, 97kg and 125kg – 10:00 am IST onwards
Men’s freestyle wrestling 57kg, 65kg, 74kg, 86kg, 97kg and 125kg, qualifying rounds for Paris 2024 – 5:30 p.m. IST onwards
April 20, Saturday
Women’s Freestyle Wrestling Qualification Rounds 50kg, 53kg, 57kg, 62kg, 68kg and 76kg – 10:00 am IST onwards
Women’s freestyle wrestling 50 kg, 53 kg, 57 kg, 62 kg, 68 kg and 76 kg qualification rounds Paris 2024 – from 5:30 p.m. IST
April 21, Sunday
Greco-Roman Qualification Events 60kg, 67kg, 77kg, 87kg, 97kg and 130kg – from 10:00 am IST
Greco-Roman 60 kg, 67 kg, 77 kg, 87 kg, 97 kg and 130 kg Qualifying rounds Paris 2024 – from 5:30 p.m. IST
(with contributions from PTI)
