CHENNAI: The Indian contingent for the World Wrestling Championship, to be held in Paris from August 21 to 26, may have been selected and an exposure trip to prepare for the same put in place. But there is still one thing to be decided — who will make the squad in the men’s 65kg category.
Rahul Mann emerged victorious in trials held last Thursday at the SAI Training Centre in Sonepat, but Bajrang Punia, the first choice, couldn’t take part as he was ill. Hence the final bout between the two was postponed by Wrestling Federation of India on the request of the former.
A date is yet to be decided. “Bajrang is arguably the better wrestler, but Mann has earned a shot, so we’ll have trials, but the date and venue have not been decided. It could happen during the exposure trip, or after the squad comes back,” WFI secretary Vinod Tomar told Express on Monday.Both the men’s and women’s teams will travel to Madrid for the Grand Prix of Spain on July 15 and 16, followed by a one-week training camp. “You spar with some of the best wrestlers, and that’ll help give an idea of where we stand, and the girls will also get confidence,” women’s coach Kuldeep Malik said.
Both Sakshi Malik and Vinesh Phogat will be participating in their second events since the Rio Olympics. The former will continue in the 60kg category, according to Tomar. “Sakshi will stick to 60kg for now, and the fact that she won silver in the Asian meet shows she can hold her own in that category. Her weight could go up further, and she may switch to the 63kg event come the next Olympics in Tokyo.”
Greco-Roman coach hopeful
Kuldeep Singh, the Greco-Roman coach, was confident his wards would be among the medals. “We have a few talented wrestlers, and no doubt we’ve improved recently. I’m confident we’ll bag a couple of medals at the Grand Prix of Spain,” he noted.But he warned against raising expectations at the world championships. “We’re still progressing, and I can’t guarantee medals. What I can say is that the exposure they get will be crucial, and if a medal does come along, it’ll be a bonus.”
raviiyer@newindianexpress.com