‘Giving Walkovers Isn’t a Wrestling Tradition,’ Says Babita Phogat

“The wrestlers should have fought Sushil Kumar,” said Babita Phogat.

Babita Phogat has said giving walkovers to show respect is not a wrestling tradition.

(Photo Courtesy: Facebook/Babita Phogat)

After getting three consecutive walkovers, Sushil Kumar on November won the gold at the National Wrestling Championship. The opponents had apparently refused to fight to show the two-time Olympic medallist respect. However, Indian wrestler Babita Kumari Phogat said that “wrestling had no such tradition”.

“I think the wrestlers should have fought. Sushil Kumar is two-time olympic medallist and fighting him would have helped the wrestlers. They’re going on the mat to fight and they shouldn’t give up before fighting,” said Babita.

“It might have been their strategy to perform better in the next bout,” she said.

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