Explained: Why Vinesh Phogat Competed In Two Categories At Wrestling Trials For Olympic Qualifiers

Vinesh Phogat finally locked her spot in the Asian Olympic Qualifiers in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan next month as the decorated wrestler won the women's 50kg category trials held at the National Institute of Sports In Patiala on Monday (March 11).

Representing Railways, Vinesh Phogat defeated Madhya Pradesh 11-6 in a closely fought final after going down 6-3 at one stage. She stirred further controversy on the day too as the 29-year-old wrestler unusually appeared in her forte 53kg trials too, leaving Indian wrestling followers in a split if it's possible to do so.

The record two-time World Championships medallist understandably competed in both the Olympic categories as she is on the hunt to seal an Olympic berth. Things turned tricky for her last year when her national-level rival Antim Panghal bagged the Olympic quota in the 53kg category.

Why did Vinesh Phogat compete in two categories?

While winning a quota spot gives no assurance to the wrestler to represent India at the Paris Olympics 2024, Vinesh Phogat wanted to keep herself in the hunt for an Olympic quota spot and went for the 50kg category.

As far as the participation in the 53kg category is concerned, Vinesh only aimed for a top-four finish. The rules stipulated by the national selection committee for the trials stated that only the top four finishers of each category would be shortlisted for the national camp and would be eligible to challenge the quota holder for the final trials, expected in May-June.

Also, the runners-up of the trials will represent India at the Asian Wrestling Championships in Bishkek next month while the winner will be competing for quota places at the Asian Qualifiers followed by World Qualifiers.

Speaking after her victory in the 50kg category, Vinesh Phogat said: "I will prefer competing in the 53kg category if I am allowed to and that's why I ensured I finish among the top four at least. Winning the 50kg was insurance that if am not allowed that shot at final trial then at least I will try to achieve my Olympic dreams through another category."

The reason behind Vinesh's trust issue comes from the fact that the Wrestling Federation of India are soon to take charge of the day-to-day affairs of amateur wrestling in the country as the Sports Ministry is expected to lift the ban on them soon. IOA-appointed Ad-hoc committee has been regulating the sport ever since. Whether the guidelines stipulated by them for the Olympic trials will stick or not, is an area of uncertainty for Vinesh.

"The government is reluctant to take that one big step and pick a side on the matter. They are trying to manage both parties here (referring to the feud between Indian wrestlers and WFI). It's well-known how things are between WFI and me, that's why I asked for a written confirmation from the committee today that they should let me compete in the final trials in 53kg," said Vinesh.

Is it legal to compete in two weight categories?

As per Article 7 of the United World Wrestling (UWW), a contestant can be allowed to take part in one weight category on a single day. However one of the senior committee officials present at the venue during the trials said that they accepted Vinesh's request because such a rule is applicable in international events but not in a trial. He also added that they couldn't postpone trials for one of the categories to the next day too as March 11 is also the deadline to send entries for the Asian Wrestling Championships.