The 19-year-old Panghal put up a stellar performance in the 53kg category, winning all her bouts without any problems. The latter got a bye in the first round and after that the 2022 Under-20 World Champion started with a 7-2 win over Tamannaah. She won by technical superiority against Neha to enter the semi-finals.
The latter put up an even stronger performance in the final, defeating her rival Manju in less than two minutes. Vinesh Phogat, however, will represent India at the Asian Games to be held in Hangzhou, China as the selection committee has already given direct entry to her and men’s freestyle wrestler Bajrang Punia (65kg).
Last Panghal is not happy with the court’s decision
After registering the victory here, the latter said, ‘I won the trial fairly. Why should I be a standby player, I have won the trial. Anyone who did not compete should be a standby player in the 53kg. My petition has been rejected (in court) but I will not stop, I will keep fighting, we will go to the Supreme Court. “If he keeps getting direct entry like this, how will anyone know how good we are,” he said. We’ll keep trying. My coach will decide what we are going to do next, but the fight will go on. In such a situation, what is the point of winning my three matches.
The last said, ‘I know she is very good and she has many medals but she will have to fight against us in the trials.’ She said that she will now prepare for the World Championship Trials.
The women’s 57kg category turned out to be very competitive in the trials as it featured World Championship silver medalist Anshu Malik and World bronze medalist Sarita Mor. Both the champion players were already set to clash in the first round which was being considered as the final before the final. Sarita Mor took a 5-0 lead against Anshu, who is returning from injury. However, the 20-year-old Anshu made a comeback with ‘take-down’ and ‘gut wrench move’. This reduced the gap to 4-5 but Sarita used her strength in the last moments to win.
Sarita did wonders in under 23
Sarita, however, was later upset by U-23 World Championship bronze medalist Mansi Ahlawat 9-6. Another youngster from the other side of the draw, Seeto, wins against Pinky and Neetu to make it to the finals. Mansi had no trouble defeating Sito in the finals.
Sonam Malik made a stunning comeback after suffering a left elbow injury to win the trials in the 62kg category. Manisha was equally impressive in the same draw but the wrestler from Gohana emerged as the winner. Commonwealth Games bronze medalist Pooja Gehlot sealed her ticket to the Games by defeating the experienced Nirmala Devi after comfortably defeating Shivani and Neelam in the 50kg category.
Pooja Gehlot won the match in 50 kg category
Pooja said, ‘My practice and hard work paid off. Now my target is the Asian Games, but my ultimate target is to compete in the Olympics. Pooja said that no wrestler should be allowed to represent the country in major international competitions without attending trials.
“No one should be allowed to participate (in competitions) without trial. Every player works very hard. Trial should be conducted and only then someone should get a chance to represent the country. Pooja said, “Selecting someone without trial is unfair to the junior wrestlers.”
Radhika upset Nisha Dahiya in the 68 kg weight category. She then defeated Priyanka 9-8 in a closely contested final. Divya Kakran usually competes in 68kg but she has now decided to challenge in 76kg. However, she could not qualify for the Asian Games. She lost to the experienced Kiran in the finals of this weight category.
In the Greco Roman category, Gyanendra (60kg), Neeraj (67kg), Vikas (77kg), Sunil Kumar (87kg), Narinder Cheema (97kg) and Naveen (130kg) won their respective trials to make the Asian Games team. The men’s freestyle trial will be held on Sunday.