Oslo, Oct 8 (Wrestling news) India's greco-roman wrestlers cut a sorry figure in the World Championships as none of them could enter the medal rounds here on Friday.

In the 51kg category, Sandeep crashed out in the first round losing 0-7 against Ekrem Ozturk of Turkey, followed by the ouster of Gyanender in the 60kg who lost 2-3 to Japan's Ayata Suzuki.

In the 72kg class, Vikas bowed out in the qualification round, losing to Cengiz Arslan of Turkey.

Sajan then lost his 77kg opening round bout against Tamas Levai of Hungary.

The script was the same in the 82kg, 97kg and 130kg divisions. While Harpreet Singh lost to Ireland's Pejman Soltanmorad Poshtam in the qualifying round of 82kg, Ravi was shown the door by Korea's Jewoo Park.

In the 130kg category, Sonu lost to Radoslav Plamenov Georgiev of Bulgaria in the qualifiers.

Also Read : Anshu creates history, becomes first Indian woman wrestler to reach World Ch'ship final

News Source : PTI

Oslo (Norway), Oct 6 (Wrestling news) Anshu Malik on Wednesday created history by becoming the first Indian woman wrestler to reach the World Championship final when she outclassed junior European champion Solomiia Vynnyk even as Sarita Mor lost her semifinal after shocking world champion and will fight for a bronze here.

The 19-year-old Anshu, the reigning Asian champion, controlled the semifinal from the beginning and won by technical superiority in the 57kg category to go into history books.

Only four Indian women wrestlers have won medals at the Worlds and all of them -- Geeta Phogat (2012), Babita Phogat (2012), Pooja Dhanda (2018) and Vinesh Phogat (2019) -- have clinched bronze.

Anshu also became only the third Indian ever to make the Worlds gold medal match after Sushil Kumar (2010) and Bajrang Punia (2018).

India has only one world Champion in Sushil till date and Anshu can create another history on Thursday.

Anshu's win also ensured India's first medal from this edition of the event.

Anshu was clever with her moves. At least thrice, she effected take-down moves from the left of Vynnyk and finished the bout with an exposure move. The Nidani girl started competing in the senior circuit only from last year and has made a steady progress since then. She also had qualified for the Tokyo Olympics.

Earlier, she was hardly troubled by Kazakhstan's Nilufar Raimova, whom she beat by technical superiority and later outwitted Mongolia's Davaachimeg Erkhembayar 5-1 in the quarterfinals.

Seasoned Sarita Mor shocked defending champion Linda Morais 8-2 in her opening bout and beat Germany's Sandra Paruszewski 3-1 in the quarterfinals.

Up against the reigning European champion from Bulgaria Bilyana Zhivkova Duodova, Sarita fought her heart out but lost 0-3. She will now fight for a bronze.

The reigning Asian champion had a tough opening bout against the 2019 World champion from Canada but came out trumps with a tactical 8-2 win in the pre-quarterfinals.

A quick take-down move, followed by an expose together with some superb defence put Sarita 7-0 ahead by the time the first period was over.

The only scoring point she conceded was a take-down move in the second period. She did not let Linda play her game, keeping her in lock positions.

Later, the quarterfinal against Paruszewski turned out to be a tougher bout, in which the two wresters were largely restricted to standing fight which took a lot out of them.

There was only one point-scoring move, a take down effected by Sarita late in the match and that sealed the outcome.

In the 72kg, Divya Kakran stunned Kseniia Burakova with a 'win by fall' but lost by technical superiority to Japan's Under-23 world champion Masako Furuich.

The 2020 Asian champion Divya fought her heart out in both the bouts and wriggled out of difficult positions umpteen times but hurried moves and over aggression cost her the quarterfinal against the Japanese.

Meanwhile, Kiran (76kg) won her repechage round against Turkey's Aysegul Ozbege to reach bronze play-off but Pooja Jatt (53kg) lost her repechage by fall to Eucuador's Luisa Elizabeth Melendres.

Kiran will face 2020 African champion Samar Amer Ibrahim Hamza.

Ritu Malik (68kg) was blown away by Ukraine's Anastasiia Lavrenchuk in the qualification bout that lasted only 15 seconds. It seemed Ritu was carrying a knee injury.

Also Read : World Championship: Sarita stuns world champ before making semifinals along with Anshu

News Source : PTI

Oslo (Norway), Oct 6 (Wrestling news) Seasoned Indian wrestler Sarita Mor shocked defending champion Linda Morais en route to the semifinals while Anshu Malik too advanced to the last-four stage of the World Championship, keeping country's medal hopes alive, here on Wednesday.

Sarita, the reigning Asian champion, had a tough opening bout against the 2019 World Champion from Canada but came out trumps with a tactical 8-2 win in the 59kg pre-quarterfinals.

Quick take-down move, followed by an expose together with some superb defence put Sarita 7-0 ahead by the time first period was over.

The only scoring point she conceded was a take-down move in the second period. She did not let Linda play her game, keeping her in lock positions.

Later, the quarterfinal against Germany's Sandra Paruszewski turned out to be a tougher bout, in which the two wresters were largely restricted to standing fight which took a lot out of them.

There was only one point-scoring move, a take down effected by Sarita late in the match and that sealed the outcome.

She will now fight it out against reigning European champion from Bulgaria Bilyana Zhivkova Duodova for a place in a historic final.

In the 57kg, young Anshu Malik lived up to the expectations with confident victories. She was hardly troubled by Kazakhstan's Nilufar Raimova, whom she beat by technical superiority and later outwitted Mongolia's Davaachimeg Erkhembayar 5-1 in the quarterfinals.

In the 72kg, Divya Kakran stunned Kseniia Burakova with a 'win by fall' but lost by technical superiority to Japan's Under-23 World champion Masako Furuich.

The 2020 Asian Champion Divya fought her heart out in both the bouts and wriggled out of difficult positions umpteen times but hurried moves and over aggression cost her the quarterfinal against the Japanese.

Meanwhile, Kiran (76kg) won her repechage round against Turkey's Aysegul Ozbege to reach bronze play-off but Pooja Jatt (53kg) lost her repechage by fall to Eucuador's Luisa Elizabeth Melendres.

Ritu Malik (68kg) was blown away by Ukraine's Anastasiia Lavrenchuk in the Qualification bout that lasted only 15 seconds. It seemed Ritu was carrying a knee injury.

Also Read : Indian girls struggle at World Wrestling Championship

News Source : PTI

Oslo (Norway), Oct 5 (Wrestling news) The young Indian wrestlers, including talented Hanny Kumari, expectedly found the going tough at the World Championship, here on Tuesday.

Competing in the 50kg category, Hanny showed some spark when she began with a 9-2 win over Korea's Miran Cheon but her challenge in the quarterfinal against Russia's Nadezhda Sokolova lasted just 35 seconds.

Soklova took a commanding 6-0 lead in the first 15 seconds of the bout, severely denting the confidence of the Indian teenager and finished the bout in no time.

In the 53kg, Pooja got a wrestling lesson from Japanese prodigy Akari Fujinami, who is yet to lose a bout in her career.

Pooja did not have to play any Qualification round but lost her pre-quarterfinal by technical superiority.

Bhateri failed to get a single point, let alone winning a round, as she lost 0-8 to Russia's Dinara Kudaeva Salikhova.

Kiran (76kg) was the only senior player on the mat for India in the morning session but as usual she struggled at the big stage.

She began with a 6-0 win against Korea's Kim Cholee but lost her quarterfinal 'by fall' to America's Adeline Maria Gray.

In the evening session, Pinki will strive to become India's only fifth woman to win a medal at the world championship when she will take the mat in the bronze play-off against America's Jenna Rose Burkert.

Also Read : Ravinder reaches bronze medal play-off, others bite dust in pre-quarters

News Source : PTI

Noida, Oct 4 (Sports news) Veteran sports administrator Sahdev Yadav was on Monday unanimously elected as president of the Indian Weightlifting Federation (IWF) for a four-year term.

Anand Gowde was elected as secretary general of the federation and Naresh Sharma the treasurer during the electoral congress Annual General Council Meeting at a city Hotel.

A total of 10 vice presidents, four joint secretaries and seven executive committee members were also elected.

The elections were conducted by Returning Officer Narinder Paul Kaushik, Judicial Officer (Retd.), Delhi District Courts.

Rakesh Gupta, joint secretary, Indian Olympic Association was present as the IOA observer.

Weightlifter Mirabai Chanu had won India's first ever Olympic medal during the Tokyo Games when she claimed a silver in the 49kg category.

Also Read : SAI to draw up fresh list of TOPS core group in October for next Olympic cycle

News Source : PTI

Oslo (Norway), Oct 3 (Wrestling news) Showing nerves of steel, Indian wrestler Ravinder pulled off a sensational come-from-behind 'victory by fall' against Bulgaria's Georgi Valentinov Vangelov after trailing by a huge 0-8 margin in the World Championship repechage round to enter the 61kg bronze play-off here on Sunday.

Ravinder's victory was similar to Ravi Dahiya's incredible semifinal win at the Tokyo Olympics when he trailed 2-9 but eventually pinned his rival.

The Bulgarian dominated the bout by clutching Ravinder's right arm, making moves after moves to pull away.

Ravinder, though, was unperturbed and changed the complexion of the bout with a single-leg attack move and got himself into a position from where he could press Vangelov's back on the mat towards the end of the first period.

He will now fight for bronze medal against Armenia's Arsen Harutyunyan, the European champion bronze medallist, in the evening session.

However, other Indians in the fray could not go beyond the pre-quarterfinals.

Pankaj Malik won his 57kg qualification round 4-3 after trailing 0-3 but later lost his pre-quarterfinal bout by technical superiority to Turkey's Suleyman Atli, the reigning European champion and 2019 world silver medallist.

Atli needed only 63 seconds to get to the winning lead as he finished the bout with his quick gut wrench moves.

Rohit won his 65kg qualification round by technical superiority against Sri Lanka's Divoshan Charles Fernando but later lost his pre-quarterfinal 4-5 to Russia's Zagir Shakhiev.

Pruthviraj Patil entered straight into 92kg pre-quarterfinals but his challenge lasted only 32 seconds as he lost to Azebaijan's Osman Nurmagomedov in quick time.

Also Read :World C'ships: Ravinder stuns defending champion before losing in quarterfinals, others fizzle out

News Source : PTI

Oslo (Norway), Oct 2 (Wrestling news) Indian wrestler Ravinder stunned defending champion Beka Lomtadze before being outclassed by American Daton Duain Fix in the 61kg quarterfinals even as three of his compatriots fizzled out in the qualification rounds of the World Championships, here on Saturday.

Ravinder, who won a silver medal in the junior world championship in August, gave a good account of himself in his three 61kg bouts.

Yash Tunir (74kg), Sandeep Mann (86kg) and Anirudh (125kg) could not get past the qualification rounds in their respective categories to make an early exit from the competition.

Ravinder began with a technical superiority win over Korea's Kim Sunggwon and then returned to the mat to shock 2019 world champion Lomtadze, who ran out of steam as the bout progressed.

In the first period, only two push-out points were scored with Ravinder leading on last-point scored criteria. He lost another point for stepping out but grabbed lead with a take-down move against the Georgian.

Lomtadze was struggling to catch his breath and Ravinder took full advantage of his rival's lack of stamina. He effected a throw to consolidate his lead and earned another point when referee cautioned the Georgian for taking too much time to get on to his feet.

However, the super quick American proved too good for Ravinder, who lost his quarterfinal by technical superiority. A flurry of gut-wrench moves followed from Fix, who finished the bout inside two minutes. The 74kg contender Yash was outplayed 0-7 by Russia's Timur Bizhoev. Yash hardly made any move as he stayed in his shell without attacking his opponent.

In the 86kg, national champion Sandeep Mann fought hard before losing 4-5 to Korea's Kim Gwanuk.

In the 125kg, Anirudh bowed out with a 3-9 defeat against Egypt's Hemida Youssif. 

Also Read : Indian youngsters face stiff test at Worlds, expectations high from Anshu, Sarita

News Source : PTI

Oslo (Norway), Oct 1 (Wrestling news) The youngsters in the Indian wrestling contingent will seek to gain big-stage experience in the absence of star players even as Anshu Malik's performance will be followed keenly at the World Championships, starting here on Saturday.

The proven performers such as Bajrang Punia, Ravi Dahiya, Vinesh Phogat and Deepak Punia are all missing from the squad either due to injury issues or lack of preparation.

In their absence, it is a tremendous chance for youngsters like Ravinder Dahiya (61kg), Rohit (65kg), Yash Tushir (74kg), Pruthviraj Basaheb Patil (92kg) and Anirudh Gulia (125kg) to get first hand experience of senior-level World Championship after making a mark at the junior worlds.

But, the expectations will be high on Anshu Malik (57kg), who is the only wrestler at the prestigious tournament from among those who competed at the Tokyo Olympics.

She looked a bit rusty during the trials but the hard worker she is, the Nidani girl is expected to do well.

Ever since she progressed to the senior circuit, she has delivered a podium finish at five of the six international events, barring at the Olympic Games.

She now knows the kind of performance that is required and if she is able win a medal, she will firmly establish herself in the 57kg category.

Sarita Mor is also one of the most experienced wrestlers in the women's squad. She is aware what it takes to win a medal at this level. She appeared strong during the trials.

She has the strength and technique and it will be more of mental toughness or lack of it that will decide her fate. She has won titles at the Asian level but World Championship is where she has always struggled. She has made five attempts at the senior level and once at the U-23 level but could never come close to the podium rounds.

It will be interesting to see how Sangeeta Phogat fares, qualifying for the tournament beyond her own expectations on comeback. It is not going to be easy for her since she is returning to circuit after three injuries, post a knee injury. Divya Kakran, after missing the Tokyo Olympics, must be eager to yet again prove herself. She will compete in the 72kg category instead of her usual 68kg, in which seasoned Ritu Malik will represent India.

Apart from them, the Indian squad is full of teenagers like Hanny (50kg), Pooja Jatt (53kg) and Bhateri (65kg).

The men's squad is a completely new-look group. Only Satyawart Kadiyan (97kg) is the one who has experience, while for others, it will be their first tryst at the senior worlds.

Shubam would have been a good prospect in the 57kg but he failed a dope test and has been dropped.

It will be a bonus for the Indian contingent if Greco-Roman style wrestlers are able to clear a few rounds. They have been struggling for long on the circuit and need better training to emerge contenders.

Also Read : We will decide on foreign coaches only after National championship in November: WFI

News Source : PTI

New Delhi, Sep 28 (Sports News) The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) on Tuesday said it will decide on the extension of existing foreign coaches attached with prominent wrestlers and other coaches for the next Olympic cycle only after the National Championship in November.

Georgian Shako Bentinidis is attached with Tokyo bronze winner Bajrang Punia while Russian Kamal Malikov trains Ravi Dahiya, who became the new super star of Indian wrestling after winning a silver in the Japanese capital.

WFI also has to decide if a foreign coach is required at the national camp for women wrestlers as the federation has not yet approached any trainer from overseas since American Andrew Cook was sacked.

The WFI had also sacked Iranian Hossein Karimi, the men's freestyle coach, in October 2019 for throwing tantrums and since then Jagmander Singh has been overseeing the preparations as chief national coach.

The World Championship is set to begin from October 2 in Oslo, Norway while the Nationals are scheduled in Gonda, Uttar Pradesh from November 19-21.

"We have not yet held meeting with the wrestlers. We will take their inputs also. All the wrestlers are now focussed on World Championship and after that, they will take some rest before the Nationals. Only after that we will discuss this issue with our prominent wrestlers," WFI Assistant Secretary Vinod Tomar told PTI.

It has been learnt that the WFI is not keen on involving a foreign coach for the women's national camp since it feels it has not helped the female grapplers much.

However, it is expected that Bentindis and Malikov will be handed fresh contracts while the federation has to look for a new coach for Deepak Punia, whose Russian coach Murad Gaidarov was sacked after he assaulted a referee during the Tokyo Games.

Also Read : BPRD honours Tokyo Olympic Silver medallist Mirabai Chanu

News source : PTI

New Delhi, Sep 4 (Sports news) Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday felicitated Olympic medallist Mirabai Chanu here for bringing laurels to the country in weightlifting and exhorted her not to be content with the silver medal and to aim for gold next time.

The 27-year-old sportsperson, appointed as an additional superintendent of police in her home state Manipur after the recent win at the summer games, was honoured during the 51st Raising Day celebrations of the Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPR&D), a central government think tank.

Shah presented the athlete with a shawl and memento.

He said Chanu brought honour for the country by winning a medal at the Tokyo Olympic games and is now a proud member of the police force.

"I thank her for her hardwork and dedication," the home minister added.

"When I met her on the stage to honour her, I wished her success. Everyone, from the prime minister of the country to the common man, has applauded her and rejoiced in her victory." "I want to tell her that she should not be content with a silver medal but should now aim for a gold. The entire country is waiting for it," Shah said.

He acknowledged the "struggles" undertaken by Chanu mentioning that she used to take "lift" in trucks to reach the place where she trained.

Shah said much more needed to be done for athletes in terms of providing them facilities.

Also read: BPRD honours Tokyo Olympic Silver medallist Mirabai Chanu

The BPR&D had earlier said that this honour for the Olympic winner was "a small gesture to welcome her to the fraternity on behalf of the Indian police." Chanu had clinched a silver medal in the 49kg category weightlifting that opened India's account at the recently-concluded Tokyo Olympics. India won a total of seven medals at these games.

The home minister also gave away trophies and medals for excellence in training to winner states/union territories and central police organisations and forces, and seven authors who wrote on policing subjects in Hindi.

The BPR&D, an organisation under the Ministry of Home Affairs, was founded in August 1970. 

News source: PTI

New Delhi, Sep 3 (Sports news): Union Home Minister Amit Shah felicitated Olympic silver medal winner Mirabai Chanu today for bringing laurels for the country in weightlifting.

The 27-year-old sportsperson, appointed as an Additional Superintendent of Police in her home state Manipur after her recent win, was honoured during the 51st Raising Day celebrations of the Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPRD), a central government think tank.

"This is a small gesture by the BPR&D to welcome her (Saikhom Mirabai Chanu) to the fraternity on behalf of the Indian police," an official statement said.

Chanu had clinched a silver medal in weightlifting in the 49kg category that opened India's achievement account at the recently concluded Tokyo Olympics.

During the event, the home minister also give away trophies and medals for excellence in training to winner state and central police organisations and forces and will also award seven authors who wrote on policing subjects in Hindi, the statement said.

The BPRD, an organisation under the Ministry of Home Affairs, was founded in August, 1970.

Also read: Shuttlers Bhagat, Suhas enter badminton finals as Manoj and Tarun lose in semifinals at the Tokyo Paralympics

News source: PTI

New Delhi, Aug 31 (Wrestling news) The trials for the World Championship opened with confusion, anguish and hesitancy when WFI President Brijbhushan Sharan Singh announced that only those wrestlers will be allowed to compete who will submit a hard copy of their contracts with private sponsors.

The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) has claimed that sports NGOs like OGQ and JSW are spoiling their athletes and will not allow them to interfere in the affairs of elite wrestlers.

Singh has said if the NGOs want to support the game and the athletes, they are welcome, but "secret contracts" will not be allowed.

WFI says they have enough funds from main sponsors, Tata Motors, to offer better contracts to deserving wrestlers.

"No one will be allowed to compete if they will not submit the details of their contracts with private sponsors," Singh announced to the gathering at the KD Jadhav wrestling stadium at the IG Stadium where trials were held.

It created a bit of chaos as the wresters stopped their warm-up and started discussing what they need to do now.

Not all wrestlers who had assembled had sponsorships but it did spark anguish among those who have financial backing but did not want to reveal the details. None of them was carrying a hard copy of their contracts.

There were discussion in hushed tones and hesitancy.

Soon, it was announced that wrestlers who do not have hard copy of their contracts, can give an undertaking that they will submit it later.

It was mentioned in the undertaking that WFI can take disciplinary action against them if they furnish incorrect details in the declaration or undertaking. "This is dictatorial attitude. It's not done. Is it a crime to get support?," said a wrestler, who obviously did not wish to be named.

Also read: Vinesh out, Sangeeta in; juniors day out at the senior World Championship trials

However, the wrestlers had no option but to give undertaking.

WFI boss, though, said they do not want to create fear among wrestlers or harm their interest.

"We had informed everyone, when trial date was announced that everyone has to provide their private sponsorship details with us, it is not that we asked them this morning," said Singh.

"We just want to see how can we offer them better contracts, so just need to know what they are getting presently." 

News source: PTI

New Delhi, Aug 31 (Wrestling news) There was no end to Vinesh Phogat's woes as the struggling wrestler withdrew mid-way from the World Championship trials even as her cousin sister Sangeeta (62kg) made a stupendous comeback to mat after three years by sealing her spot in the Indian team, here on Tuesday.

All eyes were on Vinesh, who was suspended by the WFI earlier this month for indiscipline before being let off with a warning, but she looked vulnerable from the beginning.

Vinesh, one of the most successful woman wrestlers in India, was far from her dominant self in her 10-5 win in the opening bout against Anju in the 55kg category and did not take mat against Pinki, who eventually sealed her place for the Championships, scheduled to be held from October 2-10. Anju employed the same head-lock technique that Belarus' Vanesa had applied against Vinesh in the Tokyo Olympics, never allowing the the Asian champion play her game.

Much to everyone's surprise, she did not take mat in the next round.

"I don't know what happened to me. It's not injury. I felt dizzy," Vinesh said, sitting in the practice arena.

Vinesh had said she went blanked in her Tokyo Olympics quarterfinal and even struggled to complete take down move.

She was still smiling but could not hide her disappointment.

"My body is not the same. I am consulting a doctor for this (medical issue). Maybe the coronavirus infection has affected my body," she said.

Sangeet Phogat, who married Olympic bronze medallist Bajrang Punia last year, returned to mat after two knee surgeries and surprised herself with confident victories.

She first beat junior world championship silver medallist Sanju Devi by technical superiority and then beat Manisha 9-5 in the fast-paced final to claim her spot in Indian team in the 62kg category.

Her counter moves resembled that of Bajrang, who was in her coach corner during the bouts.

The 23-year-old had undergone a right knee surgery in 2018, missing the World Championship and then required another operation on her left knee in 2019 before the trials for the Asian championship.

"This performance give me confidence that I will be a medal contender at the Worlds. I could really do what I wanted to do. The training in USA for months and consistent support from Bajrang helped me," Sangeeta told PTI.

"While my father (Mahavir Phogat) has trained me on the mat, Bajrang keeps me motivated and also chips in with his inputs," she said adding that next year's Asian Games and Commonwealth Games are also on "my radar".

Bajrang said the result was beyond expectations.

"Honestly, we just wanted to see how her knees behave, if they hold. We did not expect to win. I just told her to give her best," he said.

Also read: Ligament tear rules Olympic medalist Bajrang Punia out of World Championship, brings early end to his 2021 season

In the same 62kg category, Rio bronze medallist Sakshi Malik was knocked out by Manisha.

The youngsters, who recently competed and did well at the junior World Championships, outperformed many seniors. As many as five of them booked their slots in the team ahead of the seniors.

Shubham Kaushik first stunned senior national champion Pankaj 8-3 and then beat Railways' Arun 8-4 to win the 57kg trials.

Yash Tushir, who won a bronze in Russia in junior worlds, outclassed veteran Amit Dhankar in 74kg final. Gourav Balian, who had also won a bronze, outwitted Narsingh Pancham Yadav in a fast-paced final.

Pruthviraj Basaheb Patil (92kg) and Anirudh Gulia (125kg), who won a bronze each in junior worlds also qualified.

Ravinder Dahiya (61kg), Rohit (65kg), Sushil (70kg), Sandeep Mann (86kg) and Satywart Kadian (97) were other winners.

Among women wrestlers, Anshu Malik was also not her best but still won the place in the 57kg with wins over Mansi (TSU) and senior pro Lalita (2-0).

"I have an issue with my left elbow, that's why I could not play freely. I gained good experience in Tokyo though I could not do well. It's just a start for me at the senior level, I will get better," she said.

Experienced Sarita Mor (59kg) Divya Kakran (72kg), who was show-caused by WFI for indiscipline, also qualified along with Hanny (50kg), Pooja Jatt (53kg), Bhateri (65kg), Ritu Malik (68kg) and Kiran (76kg). 

News source: PTI

New Delhi, Aug 27 (Wrestling news) The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) and Tata Motors, who became national sponsors of the sport in 2018, on Friday announced extension of their partnership till the 2024 Olympics.

It was also announced that apart from the scholarships to 60 juniors, 30 talented wrestlers, to be identified by the WFI, will be adopted by Tata Motors.

All of their training expenses, exposure trips to foreign countries will be covered under the junior development program and will also be given assistance to manage injuries through physios.

The WFI will keep evaluating their performances.

The moderator, who conducted the virtual Q&A session, though dodged the question on financial aspect of the deal, saying it worked under a "well-defined" criteria. WFI President Brijbhushan Sharan Singh, though, enthused by Tata Motors' backing, urged the company to even support the wrestling league.

Also read: UP government adopts Indian wrestling till 2032 Olympics

"The elite wrestlers always get support but we could take this support to the wrestlers in rural areas, from cream (of Indian wrestling) to villages and that is the contribution of Tata Motors," Singh said.

"We have to take it from A (top) to Z (bottom). There were some other who came out to support but they only supported specific wrestlers but Tata have supported the game.

"I even want to say that they now handle the league also. Make it Tata Wrestling League now," he said.

To this, Girish Wagh, the Executive Director & President – Commercial Vehicle Business Unit of Tata Motors, said, "This partnership is evolving and we will evaluate the suggestion".

The WFI boss said they will now be able to extend support to the state and district associations, who have to spend money from their own pocket to conduct regional tournaments.

A national training centre is also being planned where the wrestlers can train and get assistance to manage their injuries.

All seven Indian wrestlers, who competed at the Olympics, were handed car keys during the programme. 

News source: PTI

New Delhi, Aug 26 (Wrestling news) In a massive boost for the Indian wrestling, the Uttar Pradesh government has adopted the sport and is expected to pump in an investment of Rs 170 crore in infrastructure and support to the wrestlers till the 2032 Olympics, WFI President Brijbhushan Sharan Singh told PTI.

The top boss of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) said that they took inspiration from the Odisha government's support to the sport of hockey and they approached the UP government for a similar assistance to their game.

"Odisha is a small state, yet they are supporting hockey in such a great manner, so we thought, why can't UP, which is such a big state, support wrestling. We approached them and the CM Yogi Adityanath has accepted it," Singh said.

"In our proposal, we have asked for Rs 10 crore support every year till the 2024 Games (Rs 30 crore) and in the next Olympic cycle till 2028, we have asked for a support of Rs 15 crore per year (Rs 60 crore) and in the final phase till 2032, it is Rs 20 crore per year (Rs 80 crore)," he said explaining the details.

"With this happening, sponsorships will not be restricted to just country's elite wrestlers. Even the Cadet level wrestlers will get sponsorship and we wil able to give prize money to even national champions." The WFI had also roped in Tata Motors in 2018 as principal sponsors of Indian wrestling, a partnership which had brought with it a financial support of Rs 12 crore that allowed the federation to give away central contracts to wrestlers till the Tokyo Games.

It has been learnt that the partnership will be renewed on Friday with a fresh deal.

The WFI President said this deal with the UP government will allow them to plan exposure trips to foreign countries even for India's Cadet level wrestlers.

"As of now, only the senior and elite level wrestlers have personal coaches and guidance of foreign coaches. But we can even invest heavily in training of our cadet and junior wrestlers also.

Also read: Olympic silver medallist Ravi Dahiya to miss World Championship

"Now we can send our Cadet wrestlers abroad for training and exposure. We need to take wrestling to the next level," he said.

WFI already extends a financial support to 60 junior (Rs 7500 per month stipend) and Cadet (Rs 5000 per month) wrestlers. It remains to be seen that after such a deal with a state government, if WFI allows private NGOs like JSW and OGQ to support wrestling.

Asked about this, Singh said the door is open but with a condition.

"We actually did not need them even before. But if they want to support, they are welcome. All we want is that they stay transparent with WFI. They can't make their own secret deals with the wrestlers. If at all they want to help, they can sit with us and prepare plans with us," Singh said.

The WFI chief said it sends wrestlers to the foreign countries for exposure and training but they want to put a system in place where top international wrestlers come to India and train here.

"Let me tell you that we will have state-of-the-art wrestling academies in India for both men and women. One academy in Lucknow will surely come up and we are hopeful that another is developed in Noida, where we will invite international wrestlers to come, stay and train with our wrestlers.

"I told the CM that we want international wrestlers to come to India. It should help our Indian wrestlers. Why should they go out all the time and stay away. We will give them best sparring partners in India." Asked if there is change of guard at the state level in coming years, will the deal stay?, Singh said, "Cabinet decisions will continued to be followed, irrespective of who leads the state government. It remains a UP government project." 

News source: PTI