Haryana girls dominate wrestling trials

New Delhi, July 6

Veteran Geeta Phogat and youngster Vinesh qualified for the World Wrestling Championships for women even as an injured Babita Kumari missed the selection trials, held at the SAI Training Centre, Lucknow.

Glasgow Commonwealth Games gold medallist Vinesh got the better of Ritu Phogat in the 48kg category to book a berth at the World Championships in Las Vegas from September 7-12, which will also be the first qualification tournament for Rio Olympics.

The eldest of the Phogat sisters Geeta made the cut after beating Shakshi Malik in the 58kg division.

In Babita’s 53 kg category, however, the winner, Nirmala Devi was selected only for the Kazakhstan competition, which will be held before the World Championships, from July 24-27.

The decision was earlier taken by the selection committee after taking into consideration Babita’s request and her past performance.

The winner will now attend trials with Babita to book a berth for the World Championships. Lalita (55 kg), Sarita (60 kg), Anita (63 kg), Navjot (69 kg) and Nikki (75 kg) were the other wrestlers to have made it to the prestigious event after beating their respective opponents. Geeta, who had won bronze medal at the World Championship in 2012, will be aiming for a different colour medal this time around.

Team: 48 kg: Vinesh (Haryana), 53 kg: Nirmala Devi (Haryana), 55 kg: Lalita (RSPB), 58 kg: Geeta Phogat (Haryana), 60 kg: Sarita (Haryana), 63 kg: Anita (Haryana), 69 kg: Navjot (RSPB), 75 kg: Nikki (Haryana). — PTI