In a super international, the likes of Bajrang Punia, Ravi Dahiya, and Vinesh Phogat would had been in Croatia, hitting the mat for the season-opening Zagreb score sequence. These, on the other hand, are a ways from very best instances for Indian wrestling. The exceptional protests from the rustic’s best wrestlers have no longer simplest resulted in the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president stepping apart, but it surely has additionally intended that not one of the protesting wrestlers had been in any shape or form to compete in Zagreb.
This, inadvertently, places the highlight on the second one rung that can be desperate to make an impact at the world level. It would possibly not be a very easy journey despite the fact that taking into account the extent of pageant in addition to the worrying build-up to the match.
“It won’t be easy, for sure. We didn’t stop their practice for a single day but whatever goes on the outside does impact the youngsters,” mentioned Parveen Singh Dahiya, trainer of younger Aman Sehrawat who will constitute India within the 57kg freestyle class. “Aman is a very mature wrestler and he tries to keep himself occupied with wrestling, but it is impossible not to get affected by the protests. This has not been a perfect build-up, far from it,” he mentioned.
Still simplest 19, Aman is more and more observed as the following giant hope in his weight elegance. The two-time protecting nationwide champion was the primary Indian to win gold on the U-23 international championships remaining 12 months, and coaches on the famed Chhatrasal Stadium — the place he trains — imagine that by the point the following Olympic cycle commences, the shy grappler from Haryana’s Birohar village can be bodily and technically in a position to stake his declare.
“Our wrestlers haven’t had any international competition in a while. Most haven’t competed since the Commonwealth Games. So, it would have been a great opportunity for everyone to start their season, but I am sure every youngster views it as a stage to shine in the absence of big names,” the trainer added.
While Aman could not make the staff for remaining 12 months’s World Championships after happening to Rahul Aware within the trials, the person who did in the end steamroll Aware to stroll away with a Worlds berth — Pankaj Malik — can be India’s flagbearer within the 61kg department. Already 26, time is also operating out for Pankaj who unearths himself sandwiched between two of Indian wrestling’s largest stars, Ravi Dahiya (57kg) and Bajrang (65kg).
“Cutting weight is not an option for him, and if he has to challenge someone like Bajrang, he needs to grab every chance he gets. In that sense, this ranking series is huge for him,” Pankaj’s trainer Jaiveer mentioned.
Pankaj ended the 12 months with a at ease gold on the Nationals, and and not using a Ravi in the fray in Zagreb — who had entered the non-Olympic 61kg department — the Indian Air Force sergeant might in any case have his probability to jump.
“He has trained really hard, despite the disturbances,” Jaiveer mentioned, regarding the wrestlers’ protest. “Pankaj, like most wrestlers, was shocked and stunned to see Bajrang, Vinesh and the rest holding that press conference. Mentally, not ideal but technically, we have left no stone unturned to make this opportunity count.”
Veteran trainer Kuldeep Singh is of the same opinion that the unavailability of seasoned wrestlers is a blessing in hide for younger hopefuls. “Having said that, I am not expecting a big haul in Zagreb. These youngsters never stopped training, but one can only guess their state of mind given the ongoing fracas. It would have certainly dented their morale,” Singh added.
Visa woes
Meanwhile, there can be no Indian illustration within the freestyle 65kg, 74kg, and 86kg categories because the visas for Sujeet, Sagar Jaglan, and Vicky respectively may just no longer be processed on time. Even those who may just board the flight had been requested to hurry to the airport on Monday night time the place their tickets and visas had been ready.
The staff is predicted to land in Zagreb on Tuesday night time, whilst pageant in freestyle and girls’s divisions starts on Wednesday.