Protesting wrestlers back in training, preparing for Asian Games trials at SAI centre in Sonepat

A number of wrestlers who were part of the protest against former WFI Chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh have returned to training to prepare for the Asian Games trials.

Vinesh Phogat, one of the most prominent faces of the wrestlers’ protest, has been training at the SAI centre in Sonepat since June 9.

Apart from Vinesh, Tokyo Games bronze medallist, Bajrang Punia, another prominent face of the grapplers’ agitation, has also been training at the facility. Bajrang’s wife Sangeeta Phogat, and her cousin Geeta have also hit the mat for the trials.

Geeta, who recently made a remarkable comeback to competitive wrestling after a maternity break, is being accompanied by her husband Pawan Sarah to the SAI centre.

While the women wrestlers usually gather for the National Camp at the SAI centre in Lucknow, it was relocated due to the agitation against the WFI chief.

Since Vinesh's arrival on June 9, along with Geeta Phogat's regular attendance, it seems that a sense of normalcy is gradually returning to the wrestling complex, according to a SAI official.

Meanwhile, Bajrang and his sparring partner Jitender Kinha have already commenced their training sessions at the Bahalgarh centre, which serves as the national camp for men's freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestlers throughout the year.

In a recent development, the wrestlers approached the Sports Ministry, requesting that the trials be postponed to August. They explained that they require more time to prepare and won’t be ready for the trials if they are held later this month.

Consequently, the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has contacted the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) to inquire whether they can submit the wrestling squad by August 10.

The IOA is obligated to provide the OCA with the names of all participating Indian athletes by July 15.

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