No direct entries into final of CWG; Asiad trials for Bajrang, Ravi

NEW DELHI: Stars such as Bajrang Punia and Ravi Dahiya will not get direct entries into the final of their respective categories when the national federation holds selection trials for Commonwealth Games and Asian Games owing to the unrest among upcoming grapplers during the recent Asian Championship trials.

During the trials for the Mongolia event, the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) had given direct entries to Bajrang and Dahiya for the spot-clinching final in their respective weight categories, while the others slogged through the draw.

Bajrang faced stiff competition from Rohit in the only bout he fought in the 65kg while Aman gave a walkover to Ravi in the 57kg final after battling his way to the summit clash. Both Aman and Ravi train at Chhatrasal Stadium.

Deepak Punia (86kg) was also given a direct entry to the final, a move which the other wrestlers termed as unfair.

No one complained officially but the decision was criticised and WFI president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh was seen assuring the wrestlers that they would see better arrangement “next time.”

The WFI is now set to conduct the trials for men (May 17, in New Delhi) and women (May 16, in Lucknow) to pick teams for CWG and Asian Games.

“No one will get direct entry into the final this time. All will have to come through draws for the CWG and Asiad trials. We have not received any request for special treatment as of today but if star wrestlers want some benefit, given their status, the committee can consider but definitely they will not get direct entry into final,” said a WFI source.

“Will it be fair on a wrestler who wins four bouts and still sits at home?”

It is expected that the WFI will ask star wrestlers to compete from the semi-final stage during the trials.

The winners of the trials will book their berths in the Indian team for CWG and Asian Games while the finalists will get to compete in the World Championship, which will be held in Serbia in September.

If star wrestlers want some benefit, given their status, the committee can consider but they will not get direct entry into final. WFI official