Sakshi Malik, Sangeeta Phogat out of Asian Games contention after skipping wrestling selection trials

Both were part of the protest against outgoing WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.

Indian wrestling stars Sakshi Malik and Sangeeta Phogat are out of the upcoming Asian Games. The duo chose to skip the wrestling selection trials, taking place in Delhi on July 22 and 23. That invariably meant they were out of contention in the games.

Coincidentally, both Sakshi and Sangeeta were involved in the protests against Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chairman Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. Notably the wrestling fraternity has been the major point of discussion recently over its recent string of controversies and this was just another on the list that followed.

On the other hand, the Delhi High Court refused to interfere with exemptions granted to Bajrang Punia and Vinesh Phogat in regards to their direct participation at the Hangzhou Asian Games. The selection trials took place as usual on the 22nd of July to select the remaining standby participants.

This development meant Antim Panghal qualified as Vinesh's standby for the Asiad by winning her trial. Antim is also a fellow wrestler in the 53 kg category. So now if Vinesh decides to pull out of the tournament Panghal would take her place and represent the country.

The trials of the men's freestyle team will happen today (Sunday). Naturally the winner in the 65 kg division will again be awarded the standby position in the place of Bajrang Punia. After the completion of the event the IOA (Indian Olympic Association) will forward the names of the winners to the organisers of the Asian Games.

The women's selection trials too were not without its fair share of upsets. World Championship medallists Sarita Mor and Anshul Malik faced a bitter elimination after ending up losing their respective bouts. Anshul was the first one to go down at the hands of Sarita Mor herself in the first round (4-6). Following which Mor went down to Mansi (6-9) in the second round.

So as things stand Vinesh will have some heavy shoes to fill in Sakshi and Sangeeta's absence. If she fails to deliver there will quite a lot of "talk" regarding the credibility of the judgement by the selection committee. Is Sakshee and Sangeeta's withdrawal a form of protest against the alleged bias? That too remains to be seen as the story is yet to unfold.