Antim Panghal questions exemption of Vinesh Phogat from Asian Games trials, asks 'what sets her apart'
PTC News Desk: Questioning the Asian Games trials exemption given to Vinesh Phogat, reigning Under-20 World Champion Antim Panghal on Wednesday asserted 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 entries 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 competes in the 53kg weight category, questioned why Vinesh was chosen since she hadn't been practising for long.
Panghal, a senior Asian Championship silver medalist, asked about the criteria for exemption in a video.
"Vinesh Phogat received direct entry to the Asian Games despite not having practised in the previous year. She hasn't accomplished anything in the last year," Panghal remarked in the video.
"Last year, I won a gold medal at the Junior World Championships, becoming India's first woman wrestler to do so. I won a silver medal in the 2023 Asian Championships, but Vinesh had no achievement in the past year. She was also injured," she added.
"Sakshi Malik, who won an Olympic medal, is also not being sent. What makes Vinesh so exceptional that she is being sent? Simply set up trials. I'm not claiming to be the only one who can beat Vinesh. There are several other girls who can beat her," Panghal said.
Panghal said she was treated unfairly during the Birmingham Asian Games trials as well.
"I had bouts against her during the CWG trials, and they (officials) cheated me. I told myself, koi nahin (it's fine), I'll try to qualify for the Olympics by attending the (Hangzhou) Asian Games. But now they say they'll send Vinesh. This is not done."
"They also claim that whoever goes to the Asian Games will also go to the World Championships. And whoever wins a medal at the Worlds will compete in the Olympics (in Paris). We've also been training for years. So, what about us?" Panghal asked.
She went on to ask 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," she said.
- PTC NEWS
