File image of Avinash Sable.© AFP

As Vinesh Phogat arrived at the Paris Olympic Games, her biggest challenge wasn’t to compete against an astounding list of wrestlers but to manage her weight as she was competing in the 50kg category, contrary to the 53kg category she was more comfortable in. Months before the Olympic Games were to start in Paris, Vinesh tried to do her best and fetch the lone 53kg spot, but Antim Panghal, a 2023 World Championship bronze medallist in the weight category, had won slot in this category.

Antim facing a 0-10 elimination in the Round of 16 at the Paris Olympics 2024. As the entire Indi stares at the nature of affairs that unfolded in the Paris Games, many wonder if Vinesh would’ve fetched a medal by competing in the 53kg category.

What led to Vinesh Phogat competing in the 50kg category, and not 53kg?

Vinesh has been wrestling in the 53kg category for the last five to six  years. She had an ACL surgery in August last year which ruled her out of action for a few months. It was then that Antim sealed the Olympic quota for the 53kg category for India.

As per a report in Sportstar, Vinesh wanted to compete in the still manageable 53kg category but Antim Panghal had already claimed that spot. Vinesh even asked the federation for a trial to be conducted, asking for specific dates, but the federation didn’t provide any clarity.

What About The Trials?

The IOA’s ad-hoc committee for wrestling conducted trials for the Asian Championships and Asian Olympic Qualifiers in March. 

The rule set was the winner of the trial woukd go on to compete in the Asian Olympic Qualifiers and runner-up at the Asian Championships. 

The committee decided that four top players in every weight category, including 53kg category, would then compete among themselves to determine a challenger for the quota-winners to decide on the Olympic spot. Antim was the quota winner in the 53kg as she finished with a bronze at the World Championships. 

Like in shooting, in wrestling, the quota is given to the National Olympic Committee and not the player. 

What happened in the trials

In the trials, Vinesh participated in two weight categories – 50 and 53kg. The ad-hoc committee made an exception and allowed Vinesh to compete in both categories.

Vinesh won the trials in 50kg, thus earning the right to compete at the Asian Olympic qualifiers in Bishkek. She had to reach 53kg category to feature in the top four to challenge Antim at a later date. Vinesh achieved her target. 

Later, Vinesh won the quota in 50kg for Paris 2024 during the Asian Olympic Qualifiers.

Where the trials conducted?

The final trials were not held as most wrestlers who won the quotas said that it would hamper their Olympics preparation. The seven-member Wrestling Federation of India selection committee then decided not to hold the trials and sent the respective quota-winners to their categories. 

“Please leave me alone, I want to go back home,” said a distressed Antim Panghal as she and her team boarded an Air India flight to New Delhi on Thursday evening, concluding a controversial Olympic campaign in which she was ousted in the opening round before facing the prospect of a three-year ban for alleged indiscipline. Having lost to Turkey’s Yetgil Zeynep in her opening bout, the 53kg category wrestler, who made an Olympic debut here, grabbed headlines on Wednesday after a “disciplinary breach” involving her entourage, including younger sister Nisha.

Sporting her Team India jersey, she along with four members of her team quietly did the check in at the Terminal 2C of the Charles de Gaulle Airport before boarding the Air India 142 flight.

The estimated time of arrival in New Delhi is 09.29am on Friday.

When asked to clarify on the controversy, she refused to speak and hurried pass the security check points.

One of her coaches intervened: “Woh dari hui hai baat nahin karegi (She’s scared and won’t talk).” Following her 0-10 loss, Panghal allegedly gave her accreditation card to her sister and sent her to the Games Village to collect her belongings. However, she was stopped by the Village security.

By late Wednesday evening, both Panghal and her sister found themselves at the police station within the Village.

Meanwhile, Panghal’s support team, consisting of coaches Bhagat Singh and Vikas, also became involved in a separate police matter.

They allegedly refused to pay the cab fare and behaved inappropriately with the driver before quickly retreating inside. The cab driver later reported the incident to the police.

“The Indian Olympic Association has decided to fly wrestler Panghal and her support staff back after a disciplinary breach was brought to IOA’s notice by the French authorities,” an IOA statement had said.

Panghal is likely to be banned for three years by the IOA, a source told PTI on Thursday.

Panghal had crashed out of the Olympics after losing her opening bout in the women’s 53kg category on Wednesday.

“IOA (Indian Olympic Association) officials discussed the issue that caused embarrassment to all. It is considering a three-year ban on everyone involved, including the coaches,” a source in the Indian contingent told PTI.

“First, we need to ensure that she reaches home. The decision will be announced only after she reaches India,” the source added.

The body, however, asserted that the ban has not yet been imposed.

“A ban has not been imposed as yet,” said an IOA official.

In widely-shared video, Panghal admitted that she had to go to the police station but only for the verification of her accreditation card.

“It was not a good day for me. I lost. A lot is being spread about me, that’s not true. I had high fever, and had taken permission from my coach to go to the hotel with my sister.

“I needed some some of my belongings which were in the Games Village. My sister took my card and asked the officials there if she could take my belongings. They took her to the Police Station for accreditation verification.” She also denied that her coaches were drunk and got into an altercation with a taxi driver over fare.

“My coaches had stayed back at the venue and when they wanted to come back, we booked a cab for them. My coaches did not have enough cash and due to the language issues, led to an argument with the taxi driver.

“Since they came to collect some Euros from the hotel room, it took some time and led to the situation. I already have had a bad time, please don’t spread rumours. Please support me,” she said.

File photo of Antim Panghal

The upheavals in wrestling in the last two years have “severely affected” the growth of the sport in India, feels Olympic medallist grappler Yogeshwar Dutt, though he is still optimistic that the six-member Indian squad can win two medals at the Paris Games beginning on July 26. Sustained protests by six of the country’s top grapplers, including Olympic medallists Sakshi Malik and Bajrang Punia and Asian Games gold medallist Vinesh Phogat, against former Wrestling Federation of India chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh led to wrestling activities in India coming to a grinding halt for close to a year and a half.

It had a cascading effect with national camps and competitions being postponed, adversely affecting preparations for Olympic qualification events and, in turn, preparations for the quadrennial showpiece.

“Yes, I feel really pained with the way the last one-and-half to two years have been for Indian wrestling. The sport has passed through a really bad phase and it has severely affected the sport’s growth and had a negative effect on the followers of the game here,” said Dutt, bronze medallist at the 2012 London Olympics, on the sidelines of an event ‘Glory of Five Rings’, organised by Manav Rachna Educational Institutions.

Dutt, who also tried to break the impasse when the protest was at its peak, was also saddened that the turmoil led to fewer number of Indian male wrestlers qualifying for the Games.

“In 2004 (Athens Olympics), six free-style wrestlers had qualified, after which 3, 4, 5 (male) wrestlers have made it to the Games every time. Sad that just one male wrestler, Aman Sehrawat, could qualify for Paris. But all credit to the women wrestlers, who secured five spots, which is a very good thing to happen,” he added.

Dutt refused to comment on Vinesh’s prospects at the Games. The 2018 Jakarta Asian Games gold medallist was at the forefront of the protest against Brij Bhushan over his alleged sexual harassment of female grapplers.

Asked about Vinesh’s chances in the 50kg category, a relatively uncharted territory for the 29-year-old as she has earned most of the laurels in 53kg, Dutt said, “See, five girls have qualified and women can win one maybe two medals.

“Some of them are very experienced as well. Be it Antim Panghal (the youngster who will compete in 53kg) or some other woman wrestler… so we have hope that we can win two medals.

“Olympics are never easy for anyone. Everyone has a dream of winning an Olympic medal. Our wrestlers have worked hard, they have some level of experience as well.” Dutt also hoped that the wrestlers will not break the tradition of never returning empty-handed from four successive Olympics.

Sushil Kumar won bronze in 2008 Beijing and four years later clinched silver in London, where Dutt claimed bronze. Sakshi Malik clinched a bronze in 2016 Rio before Bajrang Punia (bronze) and Ravi Dahiya (silver) brought home more glory from Tokyo.

“Six wrestlers are going to Paris, out of which five are girls. We have got six medals in wrestling in the last four Olympics. We have high hopes from Antim and Reetika Hooda, the new kid. They should win because we have a tradition of winning medals since 2008.”

Indian wrestlers have delivered a medal every single time at the Olympics since the 2008 Beijing edition. Success in four consecutive editions has enhanced the status of wrestling as a prime Olympic sport in the country. There was success at junior level too. The sport also produced U23 world champions. It raised hopes of big success in Paris. It was Sushil Kumar who changed the way wrestling was perceived in the country by winning a bronze in 2008. He bettered his medal four years later in the London Games, where he fetched a silver. While Yogeshwar Dutt also won a bronze in the British capital.

Sakshi Malik carried forward the trend by bagging a bronze in Rio in 2016 and Ravi Dahiya and Bajrang Punia made it a double delight in the delayed Tokyo Games (2021).

However, the sport which was soaring high and was expected to reach even greater heights, was brought down to earth by the prolonged protests against then Wrestling Federation of India chief by the country’s elite wrestlers.

National camps and domestic competitions came to a halt. Confusion prevailed. No one knew how or when normalcy would return. There were allegations and counter-arguments. WFI elections were held and the national body got suspended but finally when UWW lifted its suspension, things began moving.

Only one male and five female wrestlers qualified for the upcoming edition. There is hope, but doubts too.

PTI takes a look at the strength and weakness of all the six contenders.

AMAN SEHRAWAT (Men’s freestyle 50kg)

With his steady progress, Aman did what was unthinkable: replacing Olympic silver medallist Ravi Dahiya, the most formidable Indian wrestler, in the men’s 57kg weight division.  Aman’s biggest strength is his stamina and endurance. If the bout lasts six minutes, it will be difficult to beat him.

However, what is lacking in his game is limited strategy and technique. It was evident when he was pitted against Rei Higuchi in the Ranking Series event in Hungary. He did not seem to have a plan B. At this stage, planing against each rival is key.

His biggest threats are Higuchi and Uzbekistan’s Gulomjon Abdullaev.

VINESH PHOGAT (Women’s 50kg)

Without doubt, Vinesh Phogat is one the best woman wrestlers that India has produced. A solid defence and equally impressive attack are her strengths.

However, what could trouble her is lack of quality mat time against top wrestlers in the last year or so.

Lowering the weight class to 50kg means more stress on her body. Cutting the weight cut ahead of the bout is a painful process, it sucks the energy out of the body and hers is an aging body. She is almost 30. Her natural body weight is about 55-56kg. Much would depend on how Vinesh copes with it.

In the recent Grand Prix of Spain, the weight relaxation was 2kg but that won’t be the case in Paris.

ANTIM PANGHAL (Women’s 53kg)

The firebrand wrestler from Hisar was first to lock a Paris Olympics quota. She also challenged Vinesh for a trial with her when the protest controversy was at its peak.

Her biggest strength is flexibility that allows her to wriggle out of her rivals’ grip pretty easily. It’s difficult to trap her. She has the spark and fire.

However, she has not competed since the Asian Games. A back injury forced her to miss the Asian Championship this year. The lack of mat time and competitive action could prove to be her bane.

ANSHU MALIK (Women’s 57kg)

Anshu’s career graph has not really taken off the way it was expected after her exploits on the junior circuit and the smooth transition to senior events. Injuries have troubled her and et she is one of the best bets in Paris for India.

Quick movement on the mat to go with an aggressive game style is Anshu’s biggest strength. She also has the experience of competing at the Olympics. She was not ready for the big stage in Tokyo as a teenager but now has a fair idea what is required in such a highly competitive field.

Her fitness, though, is a worrying aspect as she enters the Olympics with a suspected shoulder injury. She claims it’s just a neck spasm but she has not been tested.

NISHA DAHIYA (Women’s 68kg)

Away from the limelight, Nisha Dahiya has quietly made her way into Paris Games. She had shown promise early but injuries has halted her ascent. Reported dead wrongly in 2021, Nisha has managed to surprise quality rivals with her aggressive game style.

She is seasoned and her fearless approach is her biggest strength. Not having the exposure of competing at big events consistently is her weakness apart from losing steam in the fifth-sixth minute of the bout.

She tends to pour out everything in the first four minutes of her bouts and if an up-and-down bout lasts the distance, she gives away points easily. Handling nerves on debut will also be key.

REETIKA HOODA (Women’s 76kg)

Reetika has the capability to surprise her rivals. She is not exactly unknown in the circuit but can prove to be a tough nut to crack even for experienced wrestlers due to her explosive strength.

She has power and technique but has the habit to concede points in the last 30 seconds of the bout. Even if she builds a lead, she can end up losing those points. Probably losing focus in the fag end of bouts is her weakness.

Antim Panghal will bring her prodigious wrestling talent to Paris 2024 as the 19-year-old is expected to be a medal contender in the 53 kg weight category in the upcoming Olympic Games. Panghal’s journey began at the young age of 10 years, inspired by her elder sister, a kabaddi player, who encouraged her to pursue wrestling. In an exclusive feature on JioCinema’s ‘The Dreamers,’ she opened up on her wrestling journey which saw her become the first Indian woman to win gold at the World Junior Championships.

Reflecting on her early days, she said, “Before stepping onto the mat, I feel jitters, but once I am on the mat, the fear and nerves take a back seat. The spirit is all about fighting and winning.”

The two-time Junior World Champion’s journey met a turning point at the 2022 Commonwealth Games trials, where a lost bout sparked her to put in extra effort and enter the best stretch of her young career. “The loss at the trial for the 2022 Commonwealth Games to Vinesh Phogat was tough, it motivated me to work harder.

“I went on to win a gold at the Junior World Championships, becoming the first Indian woman to do so, and later won a silver medal at the 2023 Asian Championships. My life changed after the 2022 Commonwealth Games,” she shared.

Panghal also discussed the importance of resilience and learning from setbacks. “If I lose a match, I don’t dwell on it. I motivate myself to do better and move on. I believe that the Almighty has a better plan for me, and there are lessons to be learned from my losses. The final seconds of the semifinal bout at the World Championships taught me the importance of focus and attentiveness.”

Looking ahead to Paris 2024, Panghal aspires to follow in the footsteps of Sakshi Malik, India’s only female Olympic wrestling medallist. “The country has placed its faith in me, and I want to live up to their expectations. Once I set my mind on something, I ensure it gets done,” she said.

Panghal created history as the first Indian woman to win gold at the Junior World Wrestling Championships in 2022, defending her title in 2023. She replicated her feat by earning a bronze medal at the 2023 World Wrestling Championships, a bronze at the 2022 Asian Games, and a silver at the 2023 Asian Wrestling Championships.