IOA, WFI to Provide Extensive Support to Six Paris Olympics-Bound Wrestlers

New Delhi, Jun 10: The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) announced that it will provide extensive support to the six Indian wrestlers who have qualified for the Paris 2024 Olympics.

This initiative comes in response to ace grappler Vinesh Phogat's request for additional training aid. The six qualified wrestlers are Vinesh Phogat (50kg), Antim Panghal (53kg), Anshu Malik (57kg), Nisha Dahiya (68kg), and Reetika Hooda (76kg) in the women's category, and Aman Sehrawat (57kg) in the men's category.

Vinesh Phogat to Aman Sehrawat IOA WFI to Provide Extensive Support to Six Paris Olympics-Bound Wrestlers

IOA president PT Usha emphasized the importance of ensuring that these athletes perform at their peak. "By providing an extensive support team, we aim to ensure that our wrestlers have access to the best resources, enabling their peak performance. This decision aligns with our commitment to fostering an environment where athletes can thrive," Usha stated.

To support the wrestlers, the IOA and the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) plan to assemble a team comprising coaches, physiotherapists, nutritionists, mental-conditioning coaches, and other essential staff as the athletes prepare for the Olympics.

WFI president Sanjay Singh affirmed that more support staff will be provided, especially for Vinesh Phogat, who is an Asian Games gold medallist. "We will ensure that Vinesh and all our wrestlers receive the necessary support to excel and keep India's flag flying," Singh said.

Earlier this month, the Sports Ministry's Mission Olympic Cell (MOC) approved several proposals from Paris-bound athletes, including Vinesh Phogat. She requested financial assistance for a competition and training camp in Madrid, followed by a training camp in Boulogne sur-Mer, France. Additionally, she will compete in the Grand Prix in Spain in July before heading to Boulogne sur-Mer for a 20-day training camp ahead of the Olympics.

The IOA-WFI assistance is supplementary to the support already provided under the MOC's Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS). "This initiative is part of the larger mission of the IOA and WFI to continuously improve the training, preparation, and overall support mechanisms available to all Indian athletes. The goal is to create a sustainable model of excellence that can propel Indians to greater heights on the global stage," the IOA statement added.