The deferment of the Tokyo Olympics had come as good news for 22-year-old Pooja Gehlot who had set sight for the 50kg women’s wrestling weight category. But the elbow injury which she had sustained during her final bout at the U23 world championships in Budapest has jeopardized her dreams.
“Previously they had just used Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy. But now, I got it operated,” she said. Pooja was discharged on Monday (today) after a successful surgery at Max Hospital, New Delhi.
The wrestler had already missed out on the first senior national championship trials in Jalandhar. She had requested Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) to allow her to appear for the February-bound trials for the Asian Qualifiers. However, with Nirmala Devi winning silver at the Asian Championship, there were no trials held in the 50kg weight class.
National Trials for Olympics?
With the Tokyo Olympics pushed to 2021, WFI is likely to hold fresh trials for the Indian team next year. Although there has been no confirmation about the dates for the trials, a report by Hindustan Times suggests it may be held in January next year.
It has already been seven months since the 22-year-old has participated in any major tournament –first due to rehabilitation and then covid — and with no action for next five months, the chances of her making it to the Indian team for qualifications seems bleak. However, the youngster is positive about her strong comeback from the injury. “Recovering well after my Elbow surgery. Need your blessings so that get back soon to what i love wrestling,” she said.