‘We didn’t ask for exemption from trials, will quit wrestling if proved’

New Delhi: Facing opposition from fellow grapplers for receiving exemption from Asian Games trials, the protesting wrestlers on Saturday denied demanding such a favour from the IOA ad-hoc panel and said they would quit wrestling if it was proved.

London Olympic bronze medallist Yogeshwar Dutt had on Friday questioned the ad-hoc panel’s decision and asked if these wresters were agitating against the outgoing WFI chief to get such favours.

He had also exhorted the junior wrestlers, their coaches and parents to raise voice against this injustice.

Dutt had also levelled some other allegations and the trio of Bajrang Punia, Sakshi Malik and Vinesh Phogat addressed their followers on social media, responding to the comments made by the former wrestler and now a BJP leader. “We did not ask for exemption from trials, just asked for time to prepare,” said Sakshi Malik. “We didn’t take away anybody’s rights. We had just asked for time as we have been away from wrestling for six months, but you are spreading wrong information,” Malik, the 2016 Rio Olympics bronze medallist, said.

Tokyo Olympics bronze medallist Bajrang said they will quit wrestling if it is proved that they had asked for just one-bout trial for the Asian Games and World Championships.

“If you had problems about one-trial bout, you should have approached the sports minister and asked on what basis they are taking the trials. But you chose to spread poison through social media,” he said. “We are ready to quit wrestling if it is proved that we asked for exemption. We never wrote any letter for exemption. If our elders feel that we have done anything wrong. We will quit.”

However none of the three wrestlers said if they are willing to compete in full draw and will not accept direct entry into the final. It has been learnt that it was Gian Singh and Ashoak Garg, the two coaches who were added to the ad-hoc panel, who had sought exemption from trials for six wrestlers.

Both Gian Singh and Ashoak Garg were with the wrestlers at Jantar Mantar during their protest. Sakshi asked Dutt to refrain from spreading wrong message that the six wrestlers “just wanted to win and participate in one trial.”

“In our life, we have never gone without any trials and never ever deprived any junior,” she said.

Apart from this trio, Bajrang’s wife Sangeeta Phogat, Sakshi’s husband Satywart Kadian and Jitender Kinha were given exemption.