Bajrang Punia eliminated from Paris Olympics qualification race, leaves SAI centre without giving sample to National Anti-Doping Agency

Tokyo Olympics bronze medallist Bajrang Punia was outclassed by Rohit Kumar in the semifinal 1-9. Bajrang did not participate in the bout for the third place.

SportsTak Desk

• Sun • 10 Mar 2024

India's freestyle wrestler Bajrang Punia (File Photo: Getty Images)

Highlights:

Tokyo Olympics medallist Bajrang Punia will not participate in the Paris Games.

Bajrang left the SAI Centre in a hurry after his bout.

India's Tokyo Games medallists Bajrang Punia and Ravi Dahiya on March 10 (Sunday) were eliminated from the Paris Olympics qualification race. They lost their respective doubts in the selection trials for the national team held in Sonepat.

Punia who was one of the big names in protest against former World Wrestling Federation (WFI) President Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh failed to put up a fight in the men's freestyle 65kg semifinal and lost to Rohit Kumar by 1-9.

He barely made it to the semifinal after beating Ravinder 3-3 on criteria in the opening round of the qualification.

Punia had trained for the trials in Russia. The preparations are organised by the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) ad-hoc panel.

After the defeat, Punia left the Sports Authority of India (SAI) Centre in a hurry. He did not stay back for the third-fourth place bout or give a sample for a dope Test to National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) officials.

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Now, Sujeet Kalakal hopes to book a berth in the Indian team. Last year, Sujeet lost legal case against Punia filed a case against Punia challenging his direct entry for the Hangzhou Asian Games which he lost. Sujeet got the better of Rohit in the final based on technical superiority.

Dahiya loses a close bout

In the men's 57 kg category, Tokyo Games silver medallist Ravi Dahiya lost to Aman Sehrawat in a high-scoring opening bout 13-14. Sehrawat who trains with Dahiya at Chhatarasal Stadium proved his mettle in 2023 by winning medals at almost all tournaments. In his next bout, Dahiya lost to Under-20 Asian Champion Udit which led to his elimination.

The winners will not represent India at the Asian and World Olympic Qualifiers which are scheduled to take place in Bishkek from April 19-21 and in Istanbul from May 9-12.