WFI grapples with lack of depth
NEW DELHI: THE WRESTLING FEDERATION OF INDIA IS WORRIED ABOUT THE LACK OF DEPTH IN THE NATIONAL SQUAD AND IS LOOKING FOR FRESH TALENT, KEEPING IN MIND THE 2020 OLYMPIC GAMES IN TOKYO
India won two gold medals and a bronze in wrestling at the Asian Games but the haul did not match the desired expectations. India had won five medals in the previous edition at Incheon, South Korea.
The Wrestling Federation of India is, therefore, worried about the lack of depth in the national squad and is looking for fresh talent, keeping in mind the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
WFI president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh did not elaborate the reason for poor bench strength but admitted that barring Asian Games champions Bajrang Punia in men’s 65kg and Vinesh Phogat in women’s 50kg, outstanding grapplers in other weight categories are missing.
Looking forward, the WFI is planning to scout talent from the inaugural edition of under-23 national championships that will take place from September 27-30 at Chittorgarh, Rajasthan.
The emphasis, according to WFI chief, will be in 57kg, 74kg and 86kg weight categories in the men’s group.
In 2015, Narsingh Yadav won bronze in 74kg at the World Championships in Las Vegas and also claimed bronze in the Asian Games at Incheon.
Since he failed a dope test in 2016, there has been a vacuum. On his comeback, Sushil won gold at the 2017 Commonwealth Championships and the 2018 Commonwealth Games, but failed to impress in the Jakarta Asian Games.
Going by Rio Olympics bronze medallist Sakshi Malik’s poor run in the Jakarta, the federation isn’t banking on her either.
“Currently she might be the best in the country, but hasn’t performed up to her potential this year,” he added.
This year, WFI also added U-15 competition to its calendar, having organised the inaugural edition in June at Meerut, UP.
With addition of two new groups, the total number of national competitions will go up to five. Cadet (U-17), junior (U-20) and senior are the other events.
FOREIGN COACHES
In the post-Asian Games meeting with the Sports Authority of India, delay in appointment of foreign experts was one of the issues on the agenda. It has been over two years, but the proposal is still in the pipeline.
The federation, though, has shortlisted experts including Andrew Cook from USA (women’s team), Iran’s Hossein Karimi (men’s freestyle) and Georgia’s Temo Kazarshvilli (Greco-Roman). The procedure for appointment is yet to start. Hence, none of them will be able to join the team ahead of the World Championships starting October 20 at Budapest, Hungary.