A controversy has arisen around the women’s wrestling selection trials. Wrestling coach Vikram Kumar, whose trainee Shivanee Pawar participated in the 50kg Olympic weight class in which Vinesh Phogat won, has lodged a complaint with the United World Wrestling (UWW). He alleges that the trials in Patiala were conducted in complete violation of UWW rules and should be scrapped.
Complaint against Vinesh Phogat at Wrestling Trials
The main issue is that Vinesh Phogat was allowed to compete in two Olympic weight categories on the same day – 50kg and 53kg. According to UWW competition rules, each contestant is allowed to compete in only one weight category.
According to UWW competition rules article 7: “Each contestant deemed to be taking part of his/her own free will, and responsible for himself/herself, shall be allowed to compete in only one weight category: the one corresponding to his weight at the time of the official weigh-in.”
Shivanee Pawar, a U23 world medalist, lost to Vinesh in the final. Kumar is waiting for an official communication from UWW and officials in India before deciding on moving to court.
The trials were conducted by the three-member ad-hoc committee while the entries to UWW were sent by the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI). “I am going to meet WFI officials tomorrow and if I do not get any answers, we will move court,” said Delhi-based coach Kumar.
Kumar also pointed out that all three mat officials along with the competition director in the final were from Railways, which Vinesh represents. This, he claims, is another serious violation.
The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president Sanjay Singh stated that they have sent the team to UWW along with a report about the incidents and complaints they have received. The matter is still under review.
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