Olympic Medalist Sushil Kumar Moves Delhi High Court for Rio Spot

Two-time Olympic medalist Sushil Kumar has moved to the Delhi high court to ask for a fair trial.

File photo of Sushil Kumar. (Photo: Reuters)

Two-time Olympic medalist Sushil Kumar has moved the Delhi high court to ask for a fair trial between him and fellow wrestler Narsingh Yadav for a place in the Indian Olympic wrestling team, according to the Times of India.

The matter will be heard in court on Tuesday, according to ANI.

Sushil was not able to compete in the Rio qualifiers because of an injury and Narsingh excelled in the qualifiers and bagged a quota for India in the 74 kg wrestling category.

Sushil has asked the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) for a fair trial many times. He feels that since he has won two Olympic medals in the past, he deserves to a have a fair trial with Narsingh Yadav.

But the WFI have stood their ground and made it clear that they are not in favour of a trial.

Whoever is better and stronger of us (Sushil and Narsingh Yadav) must be sent to Rio. I am ready for trials. Then only we can determine who is stronger. Our government and federation have spent money on me for the past two years so that I can do something for the country.

Sushil Kumar

Sports Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Monday ruled out intervention in the Sushil Kumar-Narsingh Yadav selection battle for the Rio Olympics, saying that the matter is for the Wrestling Federation of India to decide.

Government has nothing to do with it. The Federation, which is an autonomous body, is the final authority. We stood by the national sports code and respect the autonomy of all sports Federations.

Sarbananda Sonowal