In an ideal world, politics and sport are not meant to be mixed. But then the world of Indian wrestling was far from ideal in 2024 with Vinesh Phogat’s Olympic dejection and the never-ending administrative chaos pulling down a once flourishing sport. From the time when Wrestling Federation of India elections were held, exactly a year back, to the recent National Championships in Benglauru, Indian wrestling has seemed like a rudderless ship. Not too long ago, wrestling had developed into a sport that promised unprecedented Olympic success but cut to Paris 2024, Aman Sehrawat’s bronze medal was what saved the delegation the blushes after Phogat’s seemingly destined gold slipped through her grasp due to a cruel twist of fate.

She was, for better or for worse, the most intriguing story of Indian wrestling this year.

She punished herself to fight in a lower weight category after her preferred class was already booked for the Olympics, downed the then unbeaten Japanese legend Yui Susaki in her opening round in Paris and then ended up disqualified for being 100gm overweight on the morning of the final.

A day later, she gave up on her sporting career, declaring that the fight had left her.

She wasn’t done though. Following an emotionally overwhelming homecoming which included a custom-made gold medal from Haryana’s khap panchayats, Phogat joined the Congress party, fought the state assembly elections and managed to become an MLA in her maiden electoral outing from Julana constituency.

She wasn’t the only one in her fraternity who decided on politics as future.

Bajrang Punia too joined the Congress but he did not get the same returns as Phogat.

His position was that of a Kisan morcha head and his wrestling career was left stalled after coping a four-year ban for failure to submit dope samples during training camps. This was after he failed to qualify for Paris, a new low in the career of the celebrated grappler, who fetched a bronze in the Tokyo Games.

The two maintained all along that their fight against alleged sexual harassment of women wrestlers by former WFI head Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh was an apolitical one.

But their fellow protestor and Rio Olympics bronze-winner Sakshi Malik sought to dispute that soon after they joined congress.She went on to allege in her book that the the duo’s “greed” punctured their protest against Sharan Singh.

Next generation affected by chaos

The likes of Anshu Malik and Antim Panghal, who were touted as the next big thing in Indian wrestling, cut a sorry figure in Paris but Aman carried forward the rich legacy of the Chhatrasal stadium by winning the men’s freestyle 57kg bronze.

It was a category which 2020 Tokyo Games silver-medallist Ravi Dahiya made his own. But Dahiya vanished from the scene due to spate of injuries that affected his form.

The Tokyo campaign, which yielded two medals in wrestling, should have been the catalyst for better infrastructure and coaching for Indian wrestler.

However, the developments in the last 24 months have prevented growth.

The potential is still there and the biggest example was Indian U17 women team’s world championship victory in Amman, Jordan in September.

The country had been aiming for a podium finish for long and the dream finally materialised this year. Out of 10 possible medals, India won eight medals, including five gold medal and one silver.

Finishing ahead of powerhouse Japan and impressive Kazakhstan is no mean feat.

However, the unending litigations have tied the hands of WFI which is now struggling to carry out day to day affairs of the body.

The team led by Sanjay Singh, that won the elections, stands suspended by the Sports Ministry.

The ground of suspension is announcing Nationals without following a 15-day notice period in December 2023. But the fact remains that if WFI had followed the notice period, wrestlers would have lost a crucial year because by the time the 15-day period would have completed, year 2024 would have started.

WFI was forced to withdraw the team from the senior World Championship owing to pending litigation by Sakshi and and her wrestler husband Satyawart Kadian.

Eventually after government’s intervention a team was finally sent.

No proper coaching camp has been organised in the last two years, the efforts to revive the Pro Wrestling League are on hold, grants and sponsorships have stopped, no foreign/personal coaches have been engaged and there is no planning to take the sport forward.

If the situation could be summed up in a line, Indian wrestling is stagnant for now. 

File image of Sakshi Malik.© X (Twitter)

File image of Mansukh Mandaviya.© NDTV

The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) on Wednesday withdrew the Indian team from the World Championship, conveying to world governing body, UWW, that the sports ministry is interfering with its autonomy. The senior World Championship in 12 non-Olympic categories is scheduled to be held in Tirana, Albania from October 28. The WFI had recently announced selection trials for the U23 and World Championship, which was challenged as contempt of court by the protesting wrestlers who questioned the legality of the selection by the suspended federation.

WFI withdrew the selection trials notice and the court, on October 4, decided not to proceed with the contempt petition.

“Satyawart Kadian, the husband of Sakshi Malik, approached the court recently saying that the WFI should be charged with contempt of court. We won’t be able to send the Indian team for the World Championship now, we have conveyed this to the UWW,” a WFI source told PTI.

“This is all happening because of the ministry’s suspension. There are no grounds to keep the suspension. If the ministry lifts the suspension, all these issues won’t crop up. It’s just pathetic that wrestlers have to suffer because of a few wrestlers and the ministry is not lifting the suspension,” the source added.

The WFI was suspended by the Sports Ministry on December 24 soon after the polls were conducted to elect the new office-bearers.

“Unfortunately, the MYAS (ministry) continues to interfere in the autonomy of the WFI. The MYAS has ordered on 24th December 2023 to the WFI to cease and desist from discharging the day to day administration of WFI and had directed the Indian Olympic Association (NOC of India) to make an Ad-Hoc Committee for governance of WFI,” WFI President Sanjay Singh wrote in his letter to UWW President Nenad Lalovic.

The Indian Olympic Association (IOA), though, had disbanded the ad-hoc panel managing the Federation in March this year after UWW lifted the ban on WFI in February.

WFI put on record support from the PT Usha-led Indian Olympic Association (IOA).

“Though the IOA through its President Ms. PT Usha had supported the WFI in the case, it is the MYAS that is the problem creator because of their letter of 24th December 2023 which is being used as a tool to interfere in the administration of the WFI by the wrestlers.” The WFI began to function but wrestlers Bajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik, and her husband Satyawart filed a plea before the court for appointing an administrator to manage the sports body.

In an interim order, the court said that the IOA’s decision to dissolve the ad-hoc committee was incompatible with the sports ministry’s suspension order.

It said that until the suspension order was recalled, it was necessary for the ad-hoc committee to manage the federation’s affairs. The IOA, though, told the court that it cannot re-constitute the panel.

The WFI has now asked UWW to invoke article 6.3 of UWW Regulations and take appropriate action and also use Thursday’s communication as a complaint to the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

Article 6.3 of the UWW Constitution states that, “Affiliated and Associated Members shall govern and administer their activities independently. They shall preserve their autonomy without influence by any political, religious or economic pressures.” “Governments and other public authorities shall only be entitled to verify the use of their financial grants by the National Federations.” In the Olympic year, World Championships are held in four categories in each of the three styles — men’s freestyle, women and greco-roman — instead of all 10.

Indian teams:

Men’s freestyle: Udit (61kg), Manish Goswami (70kg), Parvinder Singh (79kg), Sandeep Mann (92kg).

Greco-Roman: Sanjeev (55kg), Chetan (63kg), Ankit Gulia (72kg), Rohit Dahiya (82kg).

Women: Kirti (55kg), Mansi (59kg), Manisha (65kg), Bipasha (72kg).

Olympic medallists Sakshi Malik and Aman Sehrawat, along with former world championship bronze-winner Geeta Phogat, on Monday announced that they would soon launch a Wrestling Champions Super League (WCSL) for the country’s budding grapplers but the national federation has refused to sanction the initiative. Sakshi, along with Bajrang Punia and Vinesh Phogat, had spearheaded the wrestlers’ protest against ousted Wrestling Federation of India President Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who was accused of sexual harassment.

Sakshi has, however, distanced herself from the latter two after they took the political plunge by joining Congress ahead of next month’s Haryana assembly elections.

She won the 58kg bronze in 2016 Rio Olympics, and announced the project with Phogat, a 55kg bronze winner in 2012 World Championships through their social media handles. The two, while announcing that they had Paris Games bronze-winner Aman on board, did not provide any details.

Phogat told PTI that she is hopeful of support from the federation and the government.

“Sakshi and I have been planning this League for long. Soon it will take a final shape. We have not yet spoken to the WFI but it would be great if WFI and government support us. It will be the first league that will be operated only by the players,” Phogat said.

“We are doing it for the players, for their benefit. That is the idea and vision, so no one should have any problem with it. It’s a proud moment for us. We won’t stop anyone from getting involved in it, if WFI or government comes on board, even better. We have not yet spoken to them.

“There will be international wrestlers, and coaches involved, so it should help our junior wrestlers. They will get good exposure.” The WFI said it would not give its sanction to the league.

“We won’t approve it. We are reviving our pro wrestling league and hopefully we will have it soon. The wrestlers are free to do their own league, they can promote the game, but we won’t be linked with that,” WFI President Sanjay Singh said.

Asked if there will be prize money involved, and about the format and venue for the event, Phogat said, “You will have to wait a bit to know all this. We will share the details very soon.” Sakshi, who retired from wrestling after Sharan Singh’s close aide Sanjay Singh became WFI head, said she hopes to give back to the sport through this initiative.

“The only way to repay your trust is to dedicate our sporting talent, experience, grit & success to the service of the sport. The 2 of us have therefore come together to create the Wrestling Champions Super League (WCSL),” she posted on X.

“The WCSL, a world class international league, will skill & strengthen our wrestlers to dominate the sport globally by taking on the world’s best in a hyper competitive, expertly supervised environment with best-in-class support systems in place.” She also said that Sehrawat, who won bronze in 57kg in Paris Olympics, also “shares our vision and is joining us on this journey.” “This league is a very commendable initiative which will help Indian wrestling greatly and therefore I want to be a part of it and support it fully,” Aman was uoted as saying by Sakshi.

Daughter of noted wrestling coach Mahavir, Geeta is a cousin of Vinesh, who will be contesting from Julana constituency during the Haryana elections.

Sakshi said the aim of the league is to build a culture of sustained high performance in the sport in the country.

“While WCSL is focused on wrestling, it is inspired also by our overwhelming urge to build a culture of sustained high performance in Indian sport & motivate every Indian to experience the joy of playing.

“Although founded by the 2 of us, the WCSL is a national mission committed to respecting & working in close partnership with all stakeholders. Winning, afterall, is a team sport. Our hearts beat only for India, for Indian wrestling & for Indian sport. Come, let’s build the sporting India of our dreams mil ke, ek saath!”

The Delhi High Court on Wednesday sought the National Anti-Doping Agency’s (NADA) stand on a petition filed by wrestler Bajrang Punia challenging his suspension. As the senior counsel appearing for the athlete pressed for an interim relief while citing the upcoming Senior World Wrestling Championships in Albania, the court said no formal application has been filed for the same. Justice Sanjeev Narula issued a notice to the agency on the plea moved by Punia, who was one of the wrestlers at the forefront of last year’s protest at Jantar Mantar demanding the arrest of then Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh for the alleged sexual harassment of seven women grapplers.

NADA’s counsel said a disciplinary panel has been constituted and it is looking into the issue, adding that a final hearing is “about to happen”.

On June 21, NADA imposed a “provisional suspension” on Punia for a second time and issued a formal “notice of charge”, rendering him ineligible to train and participate in competitions.

The move came three weeks after an anti-disciplinary doping panel revoked the earlier suspension on the ground that NADA had not issued a “notice of charge” to the wrestler.

NADA had first suspended Punia on April 23 for his refusal to give his urine sample for a dope test during the selection trials held in Sonipat on March 10. The sport’s global governing body, United Wrestling World (UWW), had also suspended Punia.

“This is a classic case of how to hound someone…. The world championship is round the corner. I have to participate, I have to practise. They are finishing my career,” senior advocate Rajiv Dutta argued in the court on behalf of the wrestler.

During the hearing, Justice Narula questioned Punia on his refusal to submit a sample for the testing, asking, “How will they let you play if you don’t test?” “If you don’t undergo the test, how will they qualify you?” the court asked.

Punia’s counsel asserted that he has “not refused” to undergo the dope test but has only demanded an answer from the authorities regarding the manner in which the earlier tests were sought to be conducted.

Seeking a direction to set aside NADA’s decision, Dutta said, “The provision says if I have a reason not to undergo the test, they have to look into it. There is no provision for provisional suspension. Set aside the provisional suspension and grant me a hearing.” “I have not refused. I did not refuse. The first thing was, the person who came brought an outdated kit. They admitted it. That man has been suspended. I said please give me an answer to what has happened. In the second instance, those who came, they were not even authorised to do it,” the lawyer argued.

The court, however, said it “cannot be the basis” to not undergo the test subsequently.

“That cannot be the basis that okay, this incident has happened and now, for further testing, I will not give my sample,” the court said.

Punia’s counsel said he is ready to undergo the test on Wednesday itself.

“Let them take the sample today,” Dutta, who appeared along with lawyer Neha Singh, submitted.

The counsel for NADA said the authority “cannot take samples like this” as the same is done in accordance with a test-distribution plan.

The court orally said Punia can agitate his grievances before the disciplinary panel and listed the matter for further hearing in October.

NADA’s counsel asserted that no player can refuse to undergo the dope test and Punia is not being “targeted”.

“A disciplinary panel is in place. We, as NADA, will never want any of our Olympian players, who will tomorrow get medals for the country, to be put in a bad position,” the lawyer said.

“They say he is being targeted. This is wrong. The final hearing is about to happen. Litigation will derail (the process). We also want him to go and play. If we stop everyone, who will represent India,” she added.

Dutta submitted that the hearing before the panel can be held this week itself and Punia should be heard.

In his petition filed through lawyer Vidushpat Singhania, Punia has argued that NADA has acted in violation of the testing guidelines and protocols.

The grappler has claimed that the agency’s conduct is in violation of his fundamental rights to practise a profession and earn a livelihood under the Constitution, and that he would be “forced to retire” if the “arbitrary” suspension is not lifted.

“The petitioner will be forced to retire from wrestling due to the arbitrary actions of the respondent. In particular, the petitioner may lose out on competing at the Senior World Wrestling Championships set to be held in Albania from October 28 to 31, 2024, which is the last major event that he shall have the opportunity to compete in for a period of two years. Consequently, the petitioner will have no other option but to officially retire from the sport of wrestling,” the plea has said.

One of India’s top women wrestlers Sakshi Malik will come out with her memoir in October in which she gives an “honest account” of her life — the highs, lows, and everything in between. Published by Juggernaut Books, “Witness” is co-authored by Jonathan Selvaraj. In her fiery memoir, Malik tells her story beginning from childhood, introduction to wrestling in Rohtak, win in the Rio Olympics, post-Olympics journey, struggles and triumphs over injuries and self-doubt, and finally, the most recent public battle with the administration of Wrestling Foundation of India (WFI) that has played out on the streets of New Delhi.

Interspersed throughout her story are fascinating insights into the world of women’s wrestling in India — training, camp life, body image, dating, finances, and what it takes to be an elite international wrestler, Juggernaut said in a statement.

“It’s a really honest account of my life – the highs, lows, and everything in between. I gave this book my all and I hope readers like it,” says Malik of her literary venture. According to Chiki Sarkar, publisher of Juggernaut Books, “Witness” is “one of the great memoirs of our time – Sakshi has written a no-holds barred book”.

“It not only talks about her struggles with the Wrestling Foundation of India but also brings vividly alive her childhood, the world of wrestling and what it takes to be an Olympic medalist. We are extremely proud to be publishing this milestone book,” she added.

In December 2023, Malik quit professional wrestling. She was, at that point, India’s best known woman wrestler — the first and only woman wrestler to win a medal at the Olympics with fights both ongoing and ahead of her.

The Delhi High Court has refused to provide any relief to former Wrestling Federation of India president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. The court has asked Singh’s lawyer to submit a short note with all his contentions for quashing the case against him.

Singh’s petition seeks to contest the continuation of these proceedings against him. He faces charges of sexual harassment and outraging the modesty of women.

Brij Bhushan has challenged the FIR, the chargesheet, and the trial court’s order related to the framing of charges in the case. His petition seeks to contest the legal proceedings against him in connection with the complaints filed by several women wrestlers.

He contended that the investigation was done in a biased manner as only the version of the victims, who were interested in taking revenge against him, was considered and the charge sheet was filed before the trial court without taking care of the falsehood of allegation.

Brij Bhushan, a six-time MP who represented Gonda, Balrampur and Kaiserganj, was denied a ticket for this year’s Lok Sabha elections after sexual harassment allegations by six women wrestlers. He also had to step down as the WFI chief.

Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat returned to India on Saturday after her Paris Olympics 2024 campaign and received an overwhelming reception from the crowd. Hundreds of supporters had gathered outside the IGI airport in New Delhi to give a rousing welcome to Vinesh who was disqualified for being overweight after reaching the 50kg final at the Olympics. Vinesh’s appeal against her disqualification was also rejected by the ad-hoc division of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). Amid this grand welcome in Delhi, a very heartwarming moment was captured from Vinesh’s native village in Haryana.

Upon arriving at Balali, Haryana, Vinesh hugged her uncle and mentor Mahavir Singh Phogat and the duo shared a very emotional moment. During Vinesh’s disqualification at Olympics, Mahavir was constantly extending support to Vinesh.

VIDEO | Wrestler Vinesh Phogat (@Phogat_Vinesh) meets her uncle Mahavir Phogat upon her arrival in Balali, Haryana.

(Full video available on PTI Videos – https://t.co/dv5TRAShcC) pic.twitter.com/IUp2dn30vc

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) August 17, 2024

This particular hug between the duo left all the netizens and fans emotional.

On August 8, Vinesh penned an emotional to announce her decision to retire from wrestling. However, after seeing such warm reception from the fans, she stated that she has got the courage to pick up the threads and get on with life.

“As I got love from my fellow Indians, my village and my family members, I guess I would get some courage to make this wound heal. Maybe, I could return to wrestling,” Vinesh told the media.

“I just want to say that missing the Olympic medal is the biggest wound in my life. I don’t know how much time it would take to heal this wound. I don’t know if I would pursue wrestling or not but the kind of courage I got today (Saturday), I want to use that in the right direction,” she added.

Vinesh and fellow Olympians Bajrang Punia and Sakshi Malik have been protesting for more than a year against the Wrestling Federation of India and its former chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh for his alleged sexual harassment of women grapplers.

“Our fight has not ended and the fight will continue and I pray to god that the truth will prevail,” said Vinesh.

(With PTI Inputs)

File image of Vinesh Phogat.© X (Twitter)