Although there are no competitions and national camps, it has still been an action-packed week in the world of wrestling. One of the biggest news of this week was the age fraud revelation in Mecca of Wrestling Dagestan which was done by Russian freestyle medallist Artem Gebekov. Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) has also decided not to hold any competitions until December this year due to coronavirus. Let us have a recap on how the week was for the wrestling circuit.
New Vinesh Phogat, New goal for Tokyo Olympics
When the International Olympic Committee (IOC) had announced in April that there will be no Tokyo Olympics this year, Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat was left ‘heartbroken’. But as time passed and the news has finally seeped in, she is now living each moment while it lasts before things normalise and she returns to training in full swing. “My strategy is to pay attention to my opponent’s game. Because it is also important to know the opponent’s stakes, his strength and lack. It helps you a lot. In the Olympics next year, my goal would be to give my best there”.
Read Full Story: Childhood dream achieved, Vinesh Phogat sets goal for Tokyo Olympics
World Champ Rashidov takes dig at Bajrang Punia
Russia’s Gadhzimurad Rashidov is the current world champ in men’s 65kg freestyle and the biggest contender to win gold at the Tokyo Olympics. If he does so it would be his first Olympic medal. But his biggest challenger would be India’s wrestler Bajrang Punia. However, Rashidov says that his Indian counterpart is no match for him and he can easily defeat him.
Age fraud a common practice in Mecca of wrestling
Cases of age fraud have been common within the Indian sporting circuit. But little did anyone think that it would be a prominent practice in the Mecca of Wrestling Dagestan until Russian Freestyle medallist Artem Gebekov revelations. The 31-year-old Dagestan native says that due to high competition in the region athletes including wrestlers resort to faking documents and doping.
No wrestling competitions in India
As things stand currently, organising competitions in India is not a possibility and therefore Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) has thrown the idea out of the window. It has declared that they will no be hosting any competition in the country this year. “This year we will not organize any event,” Vinod Tomar, WFI assistant secretary said.
Uncertainty over Tokyo Olympics
The governor of Tokyo has raised question over the future of the Olympic Games without an international travel and quarantine deal. She has also called for possible cuts to the opening and closing ceremonies.
Selection from scratch for Tokyo Olympics
The head coach of the Russian Greco-Roman wrestling team Gogi Koguashvili claims that the selection of athletes for the Tokyo Olympics 2021 will be carried out anew – without taking into account previous achievements and victories. This decision was made in connection with the coronavirus pandemic, which is why the Olympic Games had to be postponed from 2020 to the year 2021.
Russia wants to resume competitions
United World Wrestling (UWW) conducted a webinar headed by President Nenad Lalovic to discuss the way forward for the wrestling calendar. While most of the members denied holding any competitions anytime soon, Russia showed keen interest in resuming them. Iran and the US opposed Russia’s stand.
New wrestler from Phogat family
Phogat family is the most famous family in India and are synonymous to the ‘Dangal’ movie starring Aamir Khan which was based on their struggles and rise. Now, the family is ready to give another wrestler to India and he is the youngest member of the Phogat family, Dushyant Phogat.
Tokyo Olympics Woes
Two-thirds of Tokyo 2020’s corporate sponsors are undecided on whether to continue supporting the Olympic Games, now that the event has been pushed to 2021, according to a new survey.
UWW wrestling schedule
The Iran Wrestling Federation (IWF) has proposed to host the senior world championships next year in December in a webinar chaired by United World Wrestling (UWW) president Nenad Lalovic.
