women-wrestlers-seek-exemption-from-trials-for-olympic

Paris Games quota-winning women wrestlers on Friday pleaded with the national federation not to subject them to selection trials, saying that every single step they take and every little thing they do from now on will have a bearing on India’s medal chances at the Olympics.

 

Anshu Malik, India’s first female wrestler to reach the senior World Championships final in 2021, said all they need now is “mental peace” to prepare for the Games.

 

If selected, it will be 22-year-old Anshu’s second shot at an Olympic medal, having competed at the Tokyo Games.

 

“We have to be very, very careful with every little thing we do. We are cautious in every single step we take from here on,” Anshu told the media from Tokyo where she is training these days.

 

“We need mental peace before the Olympics. Already two months is too less a period to prepare. At this stage, every single day counts. We plan our training on a weekly basis and if I am called to India for trials, it will disrupt plans and affect medal chances.

 

“I also want to go to Europe for an international training camp from June 10 but I can’t finalise that because of uncertainty around the trials. We need to strategise bouts with rivals but how will I do that if I prepare for the trials and not for the Olympics?” she asked.

 

The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) has called its selection committee meeting on May 21 in Delhi to decide on the trials criteria.

Nisha Dahiya (68kg) and Reetika Hooda (76kg) are among the five women wrestlers who have secured quotas for India.

 

“I am still recovering from the weight-cut at the qualifiers, if again we undergo trials, it will affect our body. We have to complete with elite wrestlers and need to plan well, but if keep thinking about trials, how will we strategise,” said Nisha, who trains at Satywan’s akhada in Rohtak.

 

“It takes us about seven days to reduce weight and almost a similar time to recover after competition. If I have to again start the procedure, it's a huge challenge. We should not be subjected to the trials,” said Reetika, whose natural body weight is 81kg.