Narsingh Yadav Says He Deserves Rio Olympics Berth, Not Sushil Kumar

While the WFI is unwilling to clear its stand, Sushil has made a last ditch effort by writing to the Prime Minister.

Sushil’s mentor Satpal Singh also criticized the system, calling the current scenario, where a two-time Olympic champion has to plead for justice as “shameful”.

The sports fraternity is getting ready for much-awaited Rio Olympic is August. Sushil wrote a letter to the sports ministry, demanding a fair trial. He has also written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, seeking a meeting with him. Narsingh went on the win a bronze in both the events and eventually bagged India’s first quota in wrestling in USA.

“Sushil is getting the support of people from every nook and corner of the country as he is not wrong in asking for a trial”.

Sushil, who had won bronze at the 2008 Olympics and silver at the 2012 Games in London, was the World No. 1 in the 66kg freestyle category which was abolished by the International Wrestling Federation (FILA) in 2014.

Sushil, demanding a trial for the 74-kg quota, wants a chance to prove himself.

However, Sushil has slammed the WFI president’s statement, recalling a scenario in 1996 when a trial was held between Kaka Pawar and Pappu Yadav for a place in the games.

With less than three months to go for the Games in Brazil, India and WFI will have to find a solution to this tussle as soon as possible as either wrestler will need adequate preparation. However, the ministry had put the ball back into the federation’s court.

Sonowal, however, said his ministry will in “no way” intervene in the workings of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) and the controversy has to be resolved by the national federation.

“If we allow Sushil to have a trial, then the matter may not remain confined to just the 74kg division”. It is not right for me to speculate anything now. Sushil told The Times of India. Indian wrestling deserves better than the black mark of a legend denied his last charge at an epochal third medal. “Here I should be thinking of winning a medal for India”. I have come up with consistent performances, which includes defeating London Olympics medallists who have moves up from 66kg to 74kg. “I respect Sushil bhai for what he has achieved”. I am not saying that you send me to Rio because of my glorious past. A quota belongs to the country and not to a particular individual; so when there are two good contenders, there must be a fair trial.

The government has spent a substantial amount on his training and even the federation has been supporting his training ventures. I am in for the trials so as to determine who is better. “My only aim is to win another medal for India”.