Wrestler Narsingh Pancham Yadav is a better bet than Olympic medallist Sushil Kumar in the 74 kg freestyle category at the Rio 2016, the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) yesterday told the Delhi High Court
Sushil Kumar and Narsingh Yadav
New Delhi: Wrestler Narsingh Pancham Yadav is a better bet than Olympic medallist Sushil Kumar in the 74 kg freestyle category at the Rio 2016, the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) yesterday told the Delhi High Court.
Sushil Kumar
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Yadav, who has secured Olympic quota for India by winning a bronze medal in the world wrestling championship 2015, was the “most suitable wrestler” and a better candidate compared to Sushil, who had “consistently” avoided to face him during the last two years in selection trials, the WFI said.
Narsingh Yadav
Sushil pleads for a trial
Sushil countered the claims and alleged that he was not considered for a trial to have a chance to represent India at the Olympics in the 74 kg category as he had not participated in the cash-rich ‘Pro-Wrestling League’.
“They (WFI) cannot take such an arbitrary stand that since you (Sushil) have not participated in the Pro-Wrestling League so you will not be given a chance to have a trial. Sushil is only asking for a trial,” senior counsel Amit Sibal, appearing for Sushil, told Justice Manmohan.
WFI, however, maintained that Yadav was the best wrestler to represent the country in this category and the selection has been made in a fair and transparent manner.
“The respondent number 5 (Yadav) has been found to be the best wrestler to represent India in the upcoming Olympic games.
“The selection has been made in a completely fair and transparent manner. No allegation of any bias, favouritism or any other prejudice have been made in the petition,” WFI said in its affidavit filed in the court.
The court will continue the hearing on May 30.
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