WFI to High court: Narsingh’s selection over Sushil was fair

Maintaining that they had been “fair and transparent”, the Wrestling Federation of India on Thursday told the Delhi high court that Narsingh Yadav was the “best wrestler to represent the country in the 74kg category at the Rio Olympics in August.”

The court was hearing a plea of twice Olympic medallist Sushil Kumar, also a wrestler in the 74 kg class, who has asked for trials to enable him secure a berth in the Indian squad for Rio. A country can send only one wrestler per category in the Olympics.

The high court bench of Justice Manmohan was told by the WFI that “Sushil had consistently avoided selection trials in the last two years so as not to face competition with Yadav”. Yadav has been training for the last eight months for the 74kg class, said the WFI.

“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 and without political interference,” said the counsel appearing for the WFI.

Yadav, 26, has defeated six wrestlers out of 18 participating in the Rio Olympics, counsel told the court, adding that the WFI had always sent the sportsperson who secure a berth.

“Earlier Sushil Kumar had won the quota and he was sent. Now Narsingh has secured the quota berth, so he will be sent,” said the counsel.

During the hearing, the advocate appearing for Sushil claimed that he was not allowed trial in the 74kg category as he had not participated in the Pro-Wrestling League.

The WFI denied the allegations and said Sushil had opted out from Pro-Wrestling League because he had to face Yadav.

The hearing will continue on May 30.