Earlier, two-time Olympic medallist Sushil moved the court with a plea to direct the WFI to conduct a selection trial to decide who will represent India in men’s 74kg freestyle category at the Rio Games. The case would come up for hearing on Tuesday.
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Sushil Kumar took a bronze in the 2008 Beijing Olympics and then silver in London in 2012 in the 66kg division, but this was abolished by the International Wrestling Federation (FILA) in 2014. But Sushil Kumar demanded trials between him and Narsingh Yadav to determine who will represent India in Rio 2016.
Narsingh booked the Rio berth at last year’s World Championships in Las Vegas.
After repeatedly requesting the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) and being denied time and again, Sushil moved the court for relief.
An aggrieved Sushil had approached the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) and launched a passionate campaign on social media to whip up support. Also Sushil’s aggressive campaign for the Olympic berth to the extent of going to the prime minister and even the court miffed the WFI officials, who possibly saw this as insubordination. Sushil, who missed the event due to a shoulder injury, has been demanding a trial.
When the counsel appearing for the WFI said that they have already decided on the issue, the bench said, “You can call him (Sushil) and explain him the decision”. With records that has made the nation proud, Sushil said he “deserved” a trial.
However, the WFI will officially tell Sushil that he won’t go. “I have a reason to go for a shot for Rio. Our government and federation have spent money on me for the past two years so that I can do something for the country”, the 32-year-old had said.
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Although in every weight category there would be more than one wrestler at the camp, including 74kg, to give the Rio-bound athletes a good practice, WFI said all the qualified grapplers chose their sparring partners and the Federation had no say in that.
