Bishkek (Kyrgyzstan): With India's star wrestlers not in contention, the country's next generation of athletes will look to prove themselves on the bi-platform while also taking on the ace Sarita Mor at the Asian Championships starting here on Thursday. There will be strict eyes.
During the trials on 21 March it was decided that the winners in the 17 Olympic weight categories would attempt to qualify for the Paris Games during the Asia Qualifiers in Bishkek from 19 April, while the runners-up in these categories would be given the chance to compete. Asian Championship.
Since Olympic-quota winner Anitam Panghal, who was given direct entry into the championships, has withdrawn from the competition, Anju will represent India in the women's 53kg category.
Anju had won the 53 kg trial, where Vinesh Phogat remained in the top-4 in that category also.
India has not got any good option since the departure of Sushil Kumar in men's freestyle 74 kg.Narsingh Pancham Yadav has grown old and Jitendra Kuma has also failed to make the category his own despite having the potential.
Yash Tushir is trying to do well in this category and this will be a good opportunity for him to excel. Last year, he missed out on a bronze medal after coming back into contention through the repechage round and he would like to complete the unfinished business.
Rohit Kumar, who defeated Bajrang Punia in the men's 65kg trials, lost to Sujit Kalakal and will be looking to make up for the lost opportunity.
In the women's event, 2021 World Championship medalist Sarita Mor is the big name in the Indian team.The Asian Championship has been a pleasant hunting ground for him. It is an event he has won twice (2020, 2021) in addition to winning a silver (2017) and a bronze (2017).
Radhika is making the transition to the senior level in 68 kg. Apart from winning silver at the U2 Asian Championships last year, she had won a silver medal at the Senior 2022 Championships.
Manisha Bhanwala (62kg) has done well in the domestic competitions and won a gold medal at the same venue during the UWW Ranking Series event last year.She will also be one to watch along with Antim Kundu (65kg), who won a silver medal at the U20 Worlds. Last year's championship. Harshita had won a bronze medal in the SAM Championships and would like to perform well in the senior stage.
Indian team for Asian Championships:
Free Style: Udit (57 kg), Akash Dahiya (61 kg), Rohit (65 kg), Abhimanyu (70 kg), Yash Tushir (74 kg), Parvinder Singh (79 kg), Sandeep Singh Mann (86 kg), Veena (92 kg)
, Vicky (97 kg), and Anirudh Kumar (125 kg).
Greco Roman Style: Arjun Halakurki (55 kg), Pravesh (60 kg), Umesh. (63 kg) Vinayak Siddheshwar Patil (67 kg), Ankit Gulia (72 kg), Sajan Bhanwala (77 kg) Rohit Dahiya (82 kg), Ajay (87 kg), Narinder Cheema (97 kg), and Mehar Singh (13 kg)
Women's Wrestling: Shivani Pawar (50kg), Anju (53kg), Tamanna (55kg), Sarita Mo (57kg), Pushpa Yadav (59kg), Manisha Bhanwala (62kg), Last Kundu (65kg) Radhika (68 kg), Harshita (72 kg), Priya (76 kg).
During the trials on 21 March it was decided that the winners in the 17 Olympic weight categories would attempt to qualify for the Paris Games during the Asia Qualifiers in Bishkek from 19 April, while the runners-up in these categories would be given the chance to compete. Asian Championship.
Since Olympic-quota winner Anitam Panghal, who was given direct entry into the championships, has withdrawn from the competition, Anju will represent India in the women's 53kg category.
Anju had won the 53 kg trial, where Vinesh Phogat remained in the top-4 in that category also.
India has not got any good option since the departure of Sushil Kumar in men's freestyle 74 kg.Narsingh Pancham Yadav has grown old and Jitendra Kuma has also failed to make the category his own despite having the potential.
Yash Tushir is trying to do well in this category and this will be a good opportunity for him to excel. Last year, he missed out on a bronze medal after coming back into contention through the repechage round and he would like to complete the unfinished business.
Rohit Kumar, who defeated Bajrang Punia in the men's 65kg trials, lost to Sujit Kalakal and will be looking to make up for the lost opportunity.
In the women's event, 2021 World Championship medalist Sarita Mor is the big name in the Indian team.The Asian Championship has been a pleasant hunting ground for him. It is an event he has won twice (2020, 2021) in addition to winning a silver (2017) and a bronze (2017).
Radhika is making the transition to the senior level in 68 kg. Apart from winning silver at the U2 Asian Championships last year, she had won a silver medal at the Senior 2022 Championships.
Manisha Bhanwala (62kg) has done well in the domestic competitions and won a gold medal at the same venue during the UWW Ranking Series event last year.She will also be one to watch along with Antim Kundu (65kg), who won a silver medal at the U20 Worlds. Last year's championship. Harshita had won a bronze medal in the SAM Championships and would like to perform well in the senior stage.
Indian team for Asian Championships:
Free Style: Udit (57 kg), Akash Dahiya (61 kg), Rohit (65 kg), Abhimanyu (70 kg), Yash Tushir (74 kg), Parvinder Singh (79 kg), Sandeep Singh Mann (86 kg), Veena (92 kg)
, Vicky (97 kg), and Anirudh Kumar (125 kg).
Greco Roman Style: Arjun Halakurki (55 kg), Pravesh (60 kg), Umesh. (63 kg) Vinayak Siddheshwar Patil (67 kg), Ankit Gulia (72 kg), Sajan Bhanwala (77 kg) Rohit Dahiya (82 kg), Ajay (87 kg), Narinder Cheema (97 kg), and Mehar Singh (13 kg)
Women's Wrestling: Shivani Pawar (50kg), Anju (53kg), Tamanna (55kg), Sarita Mo (57kg), Pushpa Yadav (59kg), Manisha Bhanwala (62kg), Last Kundu (65kg) Radhika (68 kg), Harshita (72 kg), Priya (76 kg).