Indian wrestlers Aman Sehrawat and Deepak Punia are among the hopefuls aiming for Paris Olympics qualification as they gear up for the World Olympic Games Qualifier in Istanbul, set to commence on Thursday.
A total of 14 Indian wrestlers, including six in men’s freestyle and Greco-Roman each, along with two women wrestlers, are set to compete in the event. Notably, none of the male wrestlers have secured a spot in the 2024 Games so far, intensifying the stakes for the qualifiers.
For Aman Sehrawat (57kg) and Sujeet Kalkal (65kg), the competition presents a crucial opportunity to secure Olympic quotas after their setback at the Asian Olympic Games Qualifier last month. Deepak Punia (86kg) and Sumit Malik (125kg) will also be aiming for strong performances to boost India’s medal prospects in the freestyle category.
In the women’s wrestling, Mansi (62kg) and Nisha Dahiya (68kg) aim to bounce back from their losses at the Asian qualifiers and secure spots for the Paris Games. They face tough competition, particularly from Chinese wrestlers, in their respective weight categories.
Additionally, Indian Greco-Roman wrestlers, including Sumit (60kg) and Sunil (87kg), are also eyeing a successful outing in the qualifier.
The Indian contingent, accompanied by coaches and support staff, has flown to Istanbul with high hopes of clinching Olympic berths and making a mark on the global stage.
The competition will feature intense battles and stiff competition as wrestlers from around the world vie for coveted spots at the Paris Olympics.
