India’s wrestling squad for the upcoming
The absence of Sehrawat and Panghal marks a notable shift in the team composition. Panghal, who secured a silver medal in the women’s 53kg category at the Asian Games in Japan, had initially sought to compete in the 55kg division during the final selection trials. However, she eventually decided against participating in the tournament altogether, with Nishu stepping in to represent India in the 53kg weight class. Similarly, Sehrawat, who claimed gold in the men’s 57kg category at the Asian Games, did not participate in the selection trials, leading to Rahul being named as his replacement in the 57kg division.
Sujeet Kalkal to Spearhead Indian Challenge
With the marquee names sidelined, the spotlight shifts to Sujeet Kalkal, who will lead the Indian contingent in the men’s 65kg freestyle category. Kalkal enters the tournament following a standout performance at the Asian Games, where he demonstrated his tactical prowess by defeating reigning Olympic champion Kotaro Kiyooka of Japan in the semifinals. He followed that victory with a resilient comeback win against Tajikistan’s Abdulmazhid Kudiev in the final to secure gold.
The selection process for the championships involved a final showdown between Asian Games participants and the winners of previous trials, as mandated by the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI). Amidst the selection process, a controversy emerged in the women’s 50kg category following a bout between Parveen and Neelam. Parveen lodged a formal complaint with the WFI and the Sports Ministry, alleging unfair officiating during the contest.
A WFI source confirmed that the dispute was escalated to United World Wrestling (UWW), the global governing body for the sport. The UWW ultimately ruled in favour of Neelam. According to the source, Neelam held an 8-0 lead when the referee missed awarding two points, a moment that effectively concluded the bout. Despite Parveen’s claims of an unfair result, both the WFI technical committee and the UWW upheld the decision in favour of Neelam.
The World Wrestling Championships are set to begin this Saturday, with the opening day featuring competition in four Greco-Roman weight categories: 55kg, 60kg, 77kg, and 82kg. The Indian squad includes a full roster across men’s freestyle, women’s freestyle, and Greco-Roman disciplines, as the team looks to make an impact in Astana.
