NEW DELHI: In a significant development, renowned Indian wrestlers Bajrang Punia and Vinesh Phogat have been granted permission by the Sports Ministry to embark on training tours to Kyrgyzstan and Hungary respectively. The wrestlers, who played prominent roles in protesting against the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) President, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, had submitted their proposals a few days ago.
Bajrang Punia, a prominent wrestler, will be heading to Issyk-Kul, Kyrgyzstan for a training period of 36 days. Meanwhile, Vinesh Phogat will begin her training tour in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, for a week before moving on to Tata, Hungary, where she will train for 18 days. Accompanying Vinesh will be physiotherapist Ashwini Jeevan Patil, coach Sudesh, and sparring partner Sangeeta Phogat, who is also Punia's wife and had participated in the protests against the Wrestling Federation of India.
Coach Sujeet Maan, physiotherapist Anuj Gupta, sparring partner Jitender Kinha, and strength and conditioning expert Kaazi Hasan will be part of Bajrang Punia's entourage during his training tour. The expenses for Patil, Gupta, and Hasan will be covered by the non-profit sports promotion foundation, Olympic Gold Quest (OGQ).
The decision to approve these training tours indicates that Punia and Phogat have chosen to shift their focus from street protests to preparation for upcoming competitions. Earlier, the IOA-appointed ad-hoc panel had modified the selection trials for the protesting wrestlers, reducing them to a one-bout competition. As per the new arrangement, these wrestlers will need to defeat only the winners of the trials to secure their spots in the Indian teams for the Asian Games and World Championships.
While the ad-hoc panel's decision has drawn strong criticism from the wrestling fraternity, Punia and Phogat have opted for a different path. By undertaking training tours in Kyrgyzstan and Hungary, they are prioritizing their own preparation and performance, setting aside street protests for now. This shift signifies their commitment to excel in their respective sports and suggests a willingness to work within the established system.
With their departure imminent, Punia and Phogat are determined to utilize these training tours to refine their skills, build their strength, and fine-tune their techniques. As they immerse themselves in rigorous training alongside their support teams, their focus will be on improving their performance and representing India with excellence in the upcoming Asian Games and World Championships.
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