Bajrang Punia and Commonwealth Games Gold medallist Deepak Punia will lead the Indian Men’s Wrestling team in the upcoming Asian Games 2023. Deepak Punia booked his spot by winning the 86 kg category in the selection trials held at Indira Gandhi Stadium in Delhi on Sunday. Bajrang meanwhile was given an exemption from the trials. However Olympic silver medallist Ravi Dahiya failed to make the cut after losing in the trials.
Also Read: Huge Upset! Olympic medalist Ravi Dahiya knocked OUT of Asian Games 2023 Trials
The two-day trial for the Asian Games concluded on Sunday. With this, the Men’s, Women’s and the Greco-Roman squads for the Asian Games have all been finalised. A total of 11 wrestlers, six in Greco-Roman and five women’s categories, were selected on Saturday.
Indian Wrestling team for Asian Games
Men’s Freestyle
In the Men’s Freestyle, one big and notable name missing was that of Ravi Dahiya. The Olympic Silver medallist suffered a defeat against Atish Todkar of Maharashtra in the first round bout. After racing to a 20-8 lead, Todkar pinned down Dahiya to clinch the upset victory in the 57kg category.
Ravi Dahiya was competing for the first time this year at the trials in New Delhi after recovering from a knee injury.
However, Todkar lost in the semifinal. Aman Sehrawat has made the cut to the Asian Games in the 57kg category. Vishal Kaliraman dominated in the 65kg category by winning the final. However with Bajrang Punia already qualified, Kaliraman will be his back-up.
As expected, Deepak Punia won the 86kg category after defeating Jonty in the final. Meanwhile, Yash, Vicky and Sumit will play in the 74 kg, 97 kg and 125 kg categories respectively.
Men’s Freestyle Squad
- 57kg – Aman Sehrawat
- 65kg – Bajrang Punia (Vishal Kaliraman as standby)
- 74kg – Yash
- 86kg – Deepak Punia
- 97kg – Vicky
- 125kg – Sumit
Former Asian championships bronze medal winner Gyanender qualified in the 60kg Greco-Roman division. There were no surprises as usual suspects Neeraj, Narinder Cheema and Naveen made it to the 67kg, 97kg and 130kg categories.
Greco-Roman
- 60kg – Gyanender
- 67kg – Neeraj
- 77kg – Vikash
- 87kg – Sunil Kumar
- 97kg – Narinder Cheema
- 130kg – Naveen
Women’s freestyle
In the Women’s Freestyle Vinesh Phogat was given an exemption in the 53kg category. Antim Panghal, who challenged the exemption won the final in the same weight category. The 19-year old will have to be the standby for Vinesh in the Asian Games.
Commonwealth Games bronze medallist Pooja Gehlot sealed the 50kg slot. Sonam Malik won the 62kg trials. Mansi Ahlawat, Radhika and Kiran earned spots in 57kg, 68kg and 76kg respectively.
Women’s freestyle
- 50kg – Pooja Gehlot
- 53kg – Vinesh Phogat – (Antim Panghal as standby)
- 57kg – Mansi Ahlawat
- 62kg – Sonam Malik
- 68kg – Radhika
- 76kg – Kiran
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