Pooja Gehlot showed her strength and talent at the U23 World Wrestling (Kushti) championships in November in Budapest. The 22 year old won a silver medal for India in the 53kg weight category and was expected to raise a claim for the Tokyo Olympic Qualifiers ticket. But it has been all downhill for the young grappler from Delhi since then as after missing Senior Nationals, SAF Games now she is all set to miss the trials for a place in the Indian team for the Asian Olympic Qualifiers and the Asian Championships.
After winning medal for India at the world championships, Pooja had told WrestlingTV that in order to qualify for Tokyo 2020 she will move down to 50kg weight category as Vinesh Phogat has already qualified in the 53kg. But injury has dashed all her hopes to qualify for the Olympics.
“I am yet to recover from the injury I had during the U23 World’s. I tried my level best but my injury has not healed completely and will require another 4-6 weeks of recovery time. I am disappointed that I have to miss the trials” said Pooja to WrestlingTV.in
50Kg Qualification Spot – Now a 3 horse race
If completely fit, Pooja would have tried her luck at the 50kg weight category in her bid to qualify for the Olympics. In absence of Pooja, the 50 kg qualification spot will now primarily be a 3 horse race i.e Jalandhar National Champion Sheetal Tomar, UWW World ranked number 3 Seema and gold medal winner at the nationals in 53kg Pinki who is moving down to 50kg to realize her ticket for Olympics 2020 qualifiers in China.
Pooja Gehlot – Not to ready to give up as yet
Though injury has dented Pooja’s hope of participating in the trials conducted by WFI. She is still expecting that once fit she will be given chance by the national body to compete for a qualification place.
“I will request WFI to give me permission to appear for the trials in the month of February. I am hoping that I will recover completely by my injury by that time and can give everyone run for their money” said Pooja
WFI will conduct the trials for the women team on 4th Jan in Lucknow at SAI Centre to select the Indian hopefuls for the Senior Asian Wrestling Championships scheduled for February in Delhi and the Asian Olympic Qualifiers in China in March.
| EVENT | DATE | VENUE |
| FS & GR | 03-Jan-20 | Delhi |
| WW | 04-Jan-20 | Lucknow |
First LEG of Trials on 4th January in Lucknow
1st Ranking Series Interantional Tournament “Matteo Pellicone” to be held at Rome [Italy] from 15th to 18th January 2020 and
Asia OG Qualifier to be held Xi’an [China] from 27th to 30th March 2020
Weight Categories in which trial to be held
50, 57, 62, 68 & 76 Kg.
2020 Senior Asian Championship
Weight Categories in which trial to be held
50, 53, 57, 62, 68 & 76 Kg.
The Selection Trial in the remaining 4 weight categories i.e. 55 Kg., 59 Kg., 65 Kg. & 72 Kg. for selecting the team for participation in the 2020 Asian Senior Championship will be held in the 2nd week of January 2020. The Selection Committee as formed by the President, WFI will be present during the Selection Trial.
WrestlingTV will live stream all the bouts from these make and break trials LIVE AND EXCLUSIVE from Delhi and Lucknow on 3rd and 4th January
