India

Paris Olympics: Vinesh Phogat, Reetika, Anshu Malik Secure Quotas For India

New Delhi: Celebrated Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat locked the Paris Olympics quota in women’s 50kg category with a strong show at the Asian Olympic Qualifier in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan on Saturday, making a strong comeback to the international arena after leading a prolonged protest against former WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.

Anshu Malik (57kg) and U23 world champion Reetika (76kg), who also reached the final of the tournament will also go to Paris.

India have now secured four quota places for the Paris Games as Antim Panghal had earned a quota in the 53kg category with her bronze medal winning show at the World Championships last year, according to PTI.

It remains to be seen whether WFI will the quota winners to represent India or hold a final selection trial to pick the national wrestling team.

No male wrestler has yet earned a quota. The last chance to win the Paris Games quota will be at the World Qualifiers in Turkey from May 9, the report added.

This the third straight Olympic quota for 29-year-old Vinesh has now secured her third straight Olympic quota, having featured in Rio Games (2016) and in Tokyo (2020) earlier.