Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) President Sanjay Singh confirmed on Tuesday that trials will not be held to select wrestlers for the Paris Olympics 2024. Instead, the athletes who secured the Olympic quota will travel to Paris to represent India at the multi-sport event.

This announcement finally ends any uncertainty surrounding trials for the Paris Olympics 2024. Previously, media reports had suggested that trials might be conducted to select wrestlers for the event. World Championships medalist Vinesh Phogat had called on the WFI, the Central Government, and the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) to release the date, venue, and format for the trials.

Later, Nisha and Reetika, two women’s wrestlers who won the quota for India during recent qualifying events, urged the WFI not to conduct trials due to the limited time before the Olympics, the risk of injuries, and the demands of weight management for the trials.

Singh said that a meeting of the trials committee, which included selection committee members and the coaches of the men’s and women’s teams, was held. 

“It was unanimously decided that those who have secured the quota will represent India in the Olympics,” announced Sanjay Singh, expressing hope that this decision would bring significant relief to the athletes.

“Players will now feel relieved and they will be able to focus. We will help them with the best training facilities abroad, in consultation with coaches.”

Former Olympic medalist wrestler Yogeshwar Dutt also welcomed the decision, noting that it has been a common practice in the past to send Olympic quota winners to represent the country in the games.

India concluded their campaign at the World Olympic Wrestling Qualifiers early in May with two quotas for the Paris Olympics 2024, secured by wrestlers Aman Sehrawat and Nisha Dahiya in men’s and women’s wrestling, respectively.