The Delhi High Court on Saturday declined to interfere with the exemption granted to wrestlers Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia for the Asian Games trials. Both of them were given direct entry for the continental multi-sport event starting in September this year.
“The writ petition is dismissed,” Justice Subramaniam Prasad said on a petition submitted by Under-20 world champion Antim Panghal and Under-23 Asian champion Sujit Kalkal against allowing Phogat and Punia to participate in the upcoming tournament, reported PTI.
Detailed order of Delhi HC is awaited.
Punia and Phogat have been exempted from trials for the event as the Wrestling Federation of India’s (WFI) ad hoc panel has given them direct entry for the continental event in China. The move has been widely criticized by various coaches and many other wrestlers.
Panghal had earlier criticized the move to exempt Vinesh Phogat from the Asian Games trials, saying it was unfair as the veteran wrestler has not participated in any international event for over a year.
Panghal said, “Hum pehlwan chhod dene? (Should I give up wrestling?) I just want a fair trial. I am not saying that only I can beat her, there are many women wrestlers who can do that.”
Panghal and Kalkal moved the Delhi High Court on 19 July challenging the exemption and seeking a fairer selection process for the Asian Games.
Read this also | Hum pehelwani chhod dein? Wrestler Antim Panghal questions Vinesh Phogat’s Asian Games direct entry – WATCH
Read this also | Bajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogat exempted from Asian Games trials; Wrestlers get direct entry into the competition