Wrestlers Deepak, Antim make it to national team; Aman skips trials

DAYS after the sports ministry revoked its suspension, the Wrestling Federation of India on Saturday conducted selection trials at the IG Stadium, New Delhi to pick the national team for the Asian Championships.

- FIROZ MIRZA @ Chennai

DAYS after the sports ministry revoked its suspension, the Wrestling Federation of India on Saturday conducted selection trials at the IG Stadium, New Delhi to pick the national team for the Asian Championships. The continental tournament is scheduled in Amman, Jordan from March 25 to 30.

Incidentally, the last trials the WFI conducted before getting mired in controversy was in August 29, 2022 to select the squad for the World Championships.

As this daily reported, Deepak Punia, who returned to the wrestling mat following a surgery in his left thigh last year, competed in the 92kg and clinched the gold medal to book a place in the team. Similarly, Antim Panghal won the trials in her pet weight category 53kg to return to the team since the 2024 Paris Olympics.

However, the 2024 Games bronze medallist, Aman Sehrawat, withdrew from the trials citing an injury. Rising wrestler Chirag won the trials in absence of Aman and will be representing the country in the 57kg.