Injured Sushil Kumar Requests WFI to Postpone Trials: Report

Two time Olympic medallist Sushil Kumar who is nursing a shoulder injury has requested the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) to postpone his trials for next month’s Asian Championships and the continental Olympic qualifiers in March.

(Photo: The Quint)

Two time Olympic medallist Sushil Kumar who is nursing a shoulder injury has requested the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) to postpone his trials for next month’s Asian Championships and the continental Olympic qualifiers in March.

The winners of the trial will make the Indian squad for the two tournaments and the year’s first ranking series in Rome from January.

“I have requested the federation to postpone the trials,” Sushil Kumar was quoted as saying by The Indian Express.

“I am recovering from an injury to my right shoulder and will not be fit for Friday’s trials. I have been preparing for it for a long time so I hope the federation will take it into consideration and reschedule the trials.”

Sushil Kumar, India Wrestler

The wrestling federation has only exempted Bajrang Punia (65kg) from the trials.

All other quota winners ( Ravi Dahiya, Deepak Punia and Vinesh Phogat) will have to compete in the trials to find a spot in the national squad for the Asian Championships.

Sushil Kumar took an early exit from the Asian Games and the World Championship. In his absence, a 18-year old wrestler, Gaurav Baliyan is emerging as a strong contender after winning the nationals.

The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) is likely to take a decision of Thursday, 2 January.