Aware to get another shot, WFI postpones trials again

Vinayak Padmadeo

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, June 11

The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) has now postponed the June 13 trial that was to decide the participant from India in the men’s 57kg weight division at the 2018 Asian Games.

WFI had rescheduled the trials for June 13 after the three top contenders ended up with same number of wins. But now there will be a fourth wrestler in the fray. Sources have told The Tribune that the federation has granted 2018 Commonwealth Games gold medallist Rahul Aware’s wish to be included in the retrial.

Aware stayed away from the June 9 trial in Sonepat, citing favouritism. While WFI excused Sushil Kumar (74kg) and Bajrang Punia (61kg) from appearing in the trials, it did not heed to Aware’s request to be excused.

But when the trials were rescheduled, Aware sought a meeting with WFI president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. It is understood that the president has given his approval for Aware’s inclusion in the trials. Aware also requested the WFI chief to give him more time to prepare. One of the other top contenders, Sandeep Tomar, too requested for more time. 

“The president wants approvals from everyone involved,” the source said. “But since he has given the approval I don’t see others objecting.”