NEW DELHI: The reigning Under-20 World Champion Antim Panghal questioned Vinesh Phogat's Asian Games trials exemption on Wednesday, claiming that not just she but many other Indian wrestlers are capable of defeating the famed grappler in the 53kg category.
The Indian Olympic Association's ad-hoc committee granted Vinesh (53kg) and Bajrang Punia (65kg) direct admission for the Asian Games on Tuesday, while other wrestlers would have to book their places in the Indian squad through selection trials on July 22 and 23.
Panghal, a 19-year-old from Hisar in Haryana who participates in the 53kg weight class, questioned why Vinesh was chosen since she hadn't been practising for long.
Panghal, who is a silver medallist from the senior Asian Championship, asked the criteria for exemption through a video.
"Vinesh Phogat has received direct entry for the Asian Games, when she had not done any practice in the last one year. She doesn't have any achievement in the last one year," Panghal said in the video.
"Last year, in the Junior World Championships, I won a gold medal and became the first woman wrestler from India to achieve this feat. In the 2023 Asian Championships I won a silver medal, but Vinesh has no achievement to show in the last one year. She was also injured," she said.
"Sakshi Malik has also won an Olympic medal, she too is not being sent. What is so special about Vinesh that she is being sent. Just organise trials. I am not saying that I am the only one who can beat Vinesh. There are several other girls who can beat her," said Panghal.
Vinesh qualified for the Asian Games by virtue of winning a medal at the World Championships last year. She is presently undergoing training in Budapest, Hungary.
Panghal said she was treated unfairly during the Birmingham Commonwealth Games trials as well.
"When the CWG trials were taking place, I had bouts against her, then too they (officials) cheated me. I said koi nahin (it's okay), I will try to qualify for the Olympics by going to the (Hangzhou) Asian Games. But now they are saying they will send Vinesh. This is not done.
"They are also saying that the one who goes for the Asian Games will also go for the World Championships. And, the one who wins a medal at Worlds will go to the Olympics (in Paris). We have also been training hard for years. So, what about us?" questioned Panghal.
She asked whether it was time for wrestlers like her to quit the sport in frustration.
"Should we leave wrestling. Tell us on what basis is she (Vinesh) being sent."
(With inputs from PTI)
