India's Male Wrestlers Struggle to Qualify for Paris Olympics at Asian Qualifiers

India's male wrestlers faced a major setback in their quest to qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics at the Asian Olympic Qualifiers in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. A combination of misfortune, tough draws, and sub-par performances left the Indian contingent with only one more chance to secure Olympic quotas at the World Qualifiers in Istanbul from May 9-12.

Two of India's top wrestlers, Deepak Punia and Sujeet Kalkal, were unable to compete after being stranded at the Dubai airport due to heavy rainfall and flooding. Despite eventually reaching Bishkek, they missed the mandatory weigh-in and were disqualified from the event. The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president's efforts to request the World Wrestling Body to allow their participation were denied.

Among the Indian wrestlers who did compete, only Aman Sehrawat in the 57kg category came close to securing a quota place. The reigning Asian champion reached the semifinals before losing to Uzbekistan's Gulomjon Abdullaev, crushing India's hopes in that weight class. Other wrestlers, including Jaideep (74kg), Deepak Nehra (97kg), and Sumit (125kg), were eliminated early in the competition.

Why this matters: India's struggles at the Asian Olympic Qualifiers highlight the challenges faced by the country's wrestlers in their pursuit of Olympic glory. With only one quota secured so far by Antim Panghal in the women's 53kg category, the pressure is mounting on the Indian wrestling contingent to deliver results and secure more spots for the Paris Olympics.

India's chances of increasing their wrestling contingent for the Paris Olympics now hinge on the World Qualifiers in Istanbul. WFI president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh expressed his disappointment, stating, "It's unfortunate that our wrestlers missed out on the opportunity to compete at the Asian Qualifiers due to unforeseen circumstances. We will now focus on preparing them for the World Qualifiers and hope for better results."

Key Takeaways

• Indian male wrestlers face setback at Asian Olympic Qualifiers
• Deepak Punia and Sujeet Kalkal missed event due to flight delay
• Aman Sehrawat reached semifinals but failed to secure quota
• India secures only 1 quota so far for Paris Olympics
• WFI hopes for better results at World Qualifiers in Istanbul