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India's star wrestlers Deepak Punia and Sujeet Kalkal faced harsh conditions ahead of their journey to qualify for the Paris 2024 Olympics, as they found themselves stuck at Dubai International Airport. The delay was caused by unprecedented rainfall in the Gulf nation, disrupting their trip to Bishkek for the Asia Olympic qualifiers. This event is crucial as it is one of the last opportunities to secure a spot in the Paris Olympics, starting this Friday.
Deepak (86kg), a near-medalist at the Tokyo Games, and Sujeet (65kg), were both aiming to compete in the qualifiers. However, they were stranded due to the heaviest rainfall ever recorded in the nation, which flooded major highways and roads, throwing one of the world’s busiest airports into chaos.
Along with their Russian coach Kamal Malikov and physio Shubham Gupta, the duo has had to endure sleeping on the airport floor and lacking access to adequate food amidst this weather-induced crisis.
The weigh-in for Deepak and Sujeet is scheduled for 8 AM on Friday, with their matches to follow later in the day.
Meanwhile, Sujeet Kalakal's father, Dayanand, expressed his deep concern over his son's Olympic qualification chances. Stranded at the Dubai airport since April 16, Sujeet and teammate Deepak Punia face a race against time to reach Bishkek for their competition starting April 19. With limited flight options and their hopes of qualifying for the Paris Olympics seemingly fading, Dayanand revealed that the duo is forced to sleep on the flooded floor of Dubai Airport and there is no access of proper food for them.
"They are stuck at the Dubai airport since April 16 and it seems the chance of qualifying for Paris Olympics is slipping out of their hands as they are scheduled to compete tomorrow. They are not getting any flights to Bishkek. I am worried about them," Dayanand Kalakal, Sujeet's father, told PTI.
“They have been sleeping on the floor of the terminal and have not been able to eat proper food. They are in a terrible situation,” Dayanand told Indian Express.
In preparation for the crucial Asia Olympic qualifiers, Deepak Punia and Sujeet Kalakal had been diligently training in Dagestan, Russia from April 2nd to 15th. Their travel plans involved flying from Makhachkala, Russia, to Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, with a connecting flight through Dubai. This unforeseen delay in Dubai throws a wrench into their immediate qualification chances, but it's important to remember there's still a shot at Paris. The last opportunity to secure a qualifying spot will be at the World qualifiers held in Turkey this May.
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