Antim Panghal moves to Delhi High Court to challenge Bajrang Punia & Vinesh Phogat's direct qualification to the Asian Games.

Antim Panghal didn't like the decision made by the ad-hoc panel so she challenged the decision of direct qualification to the Asian Games.

Abishek GoswamiJuly 19, 2023 at 02:49 AM2 min read
Antim Panghal moves to Delhi High Court to challenge Bajrang Punia & Vinesh Phogat's direct qualification to the Asian Games.
Antim Panghal didn't like the decision made by the ad-hoc panel so she challenged the decision of direct qualification to the Asian Games.

The Indian wrestler, Antim Panghal took her fight to the Delhi High Court. Their grounds for the legal action are clear: discrimination and unfairness. Antim Panghal simply wants a fair trial. According to Antim's father, the direct qualification to the Asian Games was simply biased and prejudiced. The legal battle will unfold in the Delhi High Court, and the wrestling community and sports enthusiasts eagerly waiting for the outcome.

Earlier in the day, the ad-hoc committee running the Wrestling Federation of India announced that Bajrang Punia and the 28-year-old Vinesh Phogat will go to the Asian Games without appearing in trials.

"This is unfair. There should be trials and nobody should be selected directly. Antim is not a rookie, she has defeated wrestlers in her category and won medals at Asian Championships also," said Vikash, Antim's childhood coach. Last year in August, Antim Panghal created history at U-20 World Wrestling Championships in Sofia, Bulgaria. She became the first-ever Indian woman wrestler to win the gold.

"The decision to give direct entry to Vinesh is unfair. I've been working hard for the past so many months for the Asian Games. We will speak to the officials of the ad-hoc panel, if they don't agree to fair play, we might knock on the doors of the court or stage a dharna," said, Antim Panghal

Antim Panghal holds the distinction of being the country's first female wrestler to win the world U20 gold medal. Her achievements show her talent and potential, lending weight to her pursuit of fair treatment. This case has picked a broader conversation about the need for fairness, transparency, and equal opportunities in sports.

The case will arise many questions about future selection processes. The officials have to consider everyone in terms of taking a decision during a situation like this.

Abishek Goswami

Abishek Goswami is an aspiring technology professional currently pursuing a B.Tech in Information Technology from Haldia Institute of Technology. Alongside his passion for technology, he has a deep love for sports, which he explored further during his tenure as a writer and editor for Sportz Point. His experience in sports journalism not only enriched his knowledge of various sports but also instilled valuable life lessons and the importance of working in a structured environment. With a dynamic interest in both technology and sports, Abishek brings a well-rounded approach to learning, storytelling, and professional growth.

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