The ad-hoc committee chairman for wresting, Bhupender Singh Bajwa, categorically acknowledged on Monday that each one the three members on the IOA-constituted panel agreed to Vinesh Phogat’s request to compete in each 50kg and 53kg class on the nationwide trials in Patiala regardless of the UWW guidelines stating {that a} competitor can participate in only one class. Following the ad-hoc panel acceding to her demand, Vinesh, the Jakarta Asian Games gold medallist, defeated Shivani 11-6 within the 50kg weight class to e-book a spot within the Paris Olympics Qualification event in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan subsequent month.

She, nonetheless, misplaced the 53kg bout to Anju by technical superiority 0-10.

Vinesh didn’t let the competitors begin and demanded a written assurance the she be allowed to compete in two weight classes, resulting in a weird scenario the place the boots have been delayed by two-and-a-half hours.

“We responded to Vinesh’s request to compete in both categories, the entire committee agreed to accommodate her request and allowed her to participate in both,” Bajwa instructed PTI after the completion of the trials to pick out the groups for the Asian Championships (April 11-16) and Asian Olympic Qualifiers (April 19-21) in Kyrgyzstan.

As per Article 7 of the United World Wrestling (UWW), a contestant could be allowed to participate in a single weight class.

“Each contestant deemed to be taking part of his/her own free will, and responsible for himself/herself, shall be allowed to compete in only one weight category: the one corresponding to his weight at the time of the official weigh-in,” says Article 7 of the UWW.

Bajwa mentioned the winners of the Patiala trials will go for the Asia Olympic Qualifiers in Kyrgyzstan adopted by the World Olympic Qualifiers in May.

“The runners-up will participate in the Asia Championships (also in Kyrgyzstan), with the winner of that event competing in the trial (against the Olympic quota winner) in late May before proceeding to the Olympics.

So far, only one wrestler, Antim Panghal (53kg) has secured a Paris Olympics quota place.

Vinesh, who has been at the forefront of the fight against former Wrestling Federation of India chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and the current suspended dispensation led by Sanjay Singh, said the win in 50kg trials was a small victory in her quest for Olympic berth.

“This marks a small victory for me, however the principle focus stays on the Olympics. In a month, there are (Olympic) {qualifications} (occasions) adopted by the Games itself. My sole goal is the Olympics. If luck is on my facet, I consider, I can obtain what I could not within the final two Olympics,” Vinesh told PTI Video.

“Six years in the past, I competed within the 50kg class, going through quite a few challenges, particularly with decreasing the burden and post-operative restoration. Despite the hurdles, I’m decided to give attention to the Olympic qualifiers.

“Ideally, I was aiming to compete in the 53kg category, considering Antim Panghal has already secured a quota. However, due to unclear guidelines, I participated in the 50kg category as well. Winning a quota in the 50kg category for India is also an immense honour for me.” She mentioned the federal government must do extra to help the game.

“Unfortunately, the Indian government has provided little support to wrestling in the past one-and-a-half years. This lack of support has significantly impacted wrestlers, and I urge the government to prioritise and support wrestling more seriously,” she added.