Desperate to keep her Paris Olympics hopes alive at all costs, wrestler Vinesh Phogat did not let selection trials start in the women’s 50kg and 53kg categories and demanded a written assurance from the authorities that a final trial will be held in the 53kg weight class before the Olympics.

Vinesh, who had previously competed in the 53kg category, made the switch to the 50kg after Antim Panghal had already earned an Olympic quota in the former. However, to keep her chances alive, the 29-year-old refused to start the competition until she got a written confirmation of a final trial in the 53kg class.

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She also sought permission to participate in both the 50kg and 53kg trials, leading to confusion and delays at the Sports Authority of India (SAI) center in Patiala. Vinesh’s antics led to the competitions being held up for a good 2.5 hours.

Coaches present at the trials complained against the senior wrestler’s attitude, and her desire to secure her future amidst uncertainties surrounding the selection process. “What kind of attitude is this, there are other wrestlers waiting for their event. This isn’t fair for the others, and you want to be a role model,” said a coach.

Vinesh’s demand for a written assurance comes even after the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) ad-hoc panel had announced plans for a final trial to select India’s representative in the 53kg category, with the top four wrestlers competing for the opportunity.

One of the coaches explained that Vinesh might have been insecure of the fact that if the Wrestling Federation of India regains control, the selection policy might be altered.

According to the IOA ad-hoc panel, the final trial to pick India’s representative in 53kg would be held later and that the four best wrestlers would compete in that. The winner would then compete with Antim, and whoever wins in that will represent India at the Olympics.

Wins trials for 50kg; loses in 53kg semis

Vinesh, an Asian Games gold medallist, made an incredible comeback to beat Shivanee in the final of the 50kg trials. Vinesh, who was losing 1-4, came back to win the contest 11-6 against Shivanee. She will now go to the Asian Olympics Qualifier in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. Earlier in the semifinals, Vinesh defeated national champion Nirmala Devi 10-0. Nirmala became the national champion in the 50 kg category last month.

In the 53kg category, Vinesh lost the final 0-10 to Anju of Railways. Anju took just 18 seconds to outclass the Commonwealth Games gold medallist. However, with the IOA appointed ad-hoc committee suggesting that the top four can appear in the final trials for the 53kg division, it will be interesting to see which weight category she opts for.