Wrestling: Vinesh Phogat competes in two weight divisions on return; wins 50kg national trials

Vinesh Phogat returned to the wrestling mat after a long injury layoff in style by winning the women’s 50kg national trials for the 2024 Asian Championships and the World Olympic qualifiers on Monday.

This development comes just days after India’s 2020 Tokyo Olympics medallists Bajrang Punia and Ravi Dahiya lost their respective trials and bowed out of the 2024 Paris Olympics qualification race.

Phogat, who usually competes in the 53kg, cut down to 50kg for the trials with Antim Panghal having already won a quota in her pet event.

The 29-year-old Phogat defeated Shivani 11-6 in the trials after trailing 1-4 in the women’s 50kg final to book her spot in the Indian team.

Phogat’s win, however, was not short of any drama. She had earlier delayed the women’s 50kg and 53kg trials by more than two hours by demanding a written assurance from authorities that a final trial will be conducted in the 53kg, where Panghal has earned a quota, before the team for the Olympics is finalised, as per a PTI report.

She also requested to be able to compete in two weight classes – 50kg and 53kg, on Monday and the Indian Olympic Association’s ad-hoc committee allowed it.

However, as per the rules laid down by the United World Wrestling,...

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