WATCH: Wrestler Vishal Kaliraman Speaks Up Against Decision Of Handing Direct Asian Games Entry To Bajrang Punia

Vishal Kaliraman believes that a fair trail should be conducted before finalising an entry for Asian Games. Currently, Bajrang Punia and Vinesh Phogat have been handed direct entries.

Olympic medallist Bajrang Punia and World Championship medallist Vinesh Phogat were given direct admission into the Asian Games by the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) ad hoc panel, a decision that was allegedly made without consulting national coaches. This has caused a rift and other wrestlers have stormed the panel and called the decision absolutely unfair. 

Vishal Kaliraman distraught after contentious decision

The ad hoc committee named Vinesh for the women's 53 kg and Bajrang Punia for the men's 65 kg wrestling events in its announcement of the weight divisions and eligibility requirements for the trials. The wrestlers who triumph in these divisions during the trials will be put on the Asian Games team's waiting list.

In an interview with ANI, wrestler Vishal Kaliraman said, "Even I play in the under 65kg category and for the Asian Games Bajrang Punia has been given direct entry without any trial. They have been staging a protest for a year now, while we have been practising. We appeal for a trial... We don't want any favour or benefit. At least a trial should be conducted otherwise we are ready to go the court...We will appeal before the court. We've been practising for 15 years...If Bajrang Punia denies that he would not play in the Asian Games only then someone else will get a chance." 

The wrestler showed his disappointment and is also ready to move the matter to the court as the trials are mandatory part of selection criteria.



Along with Kaliraman, various other wrestlers like Antim Panghal took a firm stand against the decision by the WFI. 

Antim Panghal, 19, the U20 World Champion, has chosen to move to Delhi Court after Vinesh Phogat was chosen to represent India in the 53kg division at the 2023 Asian Games on Tuesday. Panghal discussed the bias and discrimination directed at her and other wrestlers in a video that has since gone viral. She also said that despite performing well in the trials, she had been denied a place at the continental tournament.