Asian Games: Six wrestlers have the power to defeat Bajrang, give a chance, National champion Sujit Kalkal’s pain spilled after the decision of the ad hoc committee
Under-20 World Championship bronze medalist Kalkal said there are at least five-six wrestlers in 65kg who can beat Bajrang.
Under-23 Asian champion Sujit Kalkal has criticized the IOA’s ad-hoc committee for giving direct entry to Bajrang Punia in the Asian Games, saying it is unfair to the next generation of wrestlers who dream of becoming Olympic champions. The ad hoc committee of the Indian Olympic Association on Tuesday exempted Tokyo Olympics bronze medalist Bajrang (65kg freestyle) and Vinesh Phogat (53kg) from the selection trials for the Asian Games to be held on July 22 and 23.
Wrestlers are confident of defeating Bajrang
Under-20 World Championship bronze medalist Kalkal said there are at least five-six wrestlers in 65kg who can beat Bajrang. Sujit said, “I faced Bajrang a year ago at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games Trials, which was a very close contest. During the trial, Bajrang got a direct entry into the semi-finals while we played all the matches,” he said. He said that recently he defeated John Michael D of America by a margin of 8-2 while Bajrang had lost to the same wrestler in the World Championship on the basis of technical superiority.
Wrestlers want fair trial
He said, “Bajrang was sent without trial even in the World Championship. The American wrestler defeated him 10-0 and I beat the same American wrestler 8 in the World Ranking Series.” Beaten by 2. Sujit had won the ranking series in Tunis. He said, “I do not say that only I can beat Bajrang. There are at least five to six wrestlers in our weight category who can beat him. This is the reason why everyone should get equal opportunity and there should be a fair trial. The Asian Games will be held in Hangzhou, China from 23 September.
wrestler ready to go to court
At the same time, another wrestler Vishal Kaliraman also expressed his displeasure over this decision. “I play in the below 65kg category and Bajrang Punia has been given a direct entry for the Asian Games without any trial. They were staging dharna for a year while we were practicing…at least there should be trial otherwise we are ready to go to court…we will appeal in court. We have been practicing for 15 years…If Bajrang Punia denies that he will not play in the Asian Games then only someone else will get a chance.
