Nuts and bolts of Sushil Kumar vs Narsingh Yadav

Sushil Kumar is seeking a trial with Narsingh Yadav for the right to compete at the Rio Olympics in the 74kg division. Here is a recap of the developments:

Narsingh wins berth

Narsingh Yadav surprised many by winning India the berth in 74kg division freestyle wrestling by clinching a bronze medal at the World Wrestling Championships in Las Vegas last year. According to the rules, it is the country that gets the berth not the wrestler per se.

Sushil’s ambition

Sushil Kumar, India’s two-time Olympic medallist, has participated in only two international meets since the London 2012 Olympics. With international wrestling body scrapping his pet division of 66kg, the wrestler had to move up to the 74kg division. Seeking a third Olympics medal, hopefully a gold, Sushil has asked for a national trial to decide who among him and Narsingh Yadav will go to Rio.

Experience against youth

Though Sushil is the more experienced and celebrated wrestler, Narsingh is more seasoned in the 74kg division and has been doing well since 2014 Asian Games. Sushil on the other hand, has proved his mettle by winning gold in the 74kg division at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

The rules

There is no set procedure in the selection process of wrestlers and thereby it is changed according to the situation. Usually, the one winning the quota represents the country. However, trials have taken place in the past, like in 1996 when Kaka Powar fought Pappu Yadav.

The status

Indian wrestling federation has not clarified their stand on trials. They have time till July 18 to decide. However, as reported by Hindustan Times, Sushil Kumar’s name has not been included by the wrestling federation for the provisional list sent to the Indian Olympics Association.