Two-step selection process to pick wrestlers for 2024 Paris Olympics

Indian wrestling squad for the upcoming Paris Olympics will be selected through a two-step selection process, announced the ad-hoc committee running the federation on Saturday.

The wrestlers who have won the quota places for the country will have to compete against a challenger in June 2024 and the winner will represent India at the Olympics.

The IOA constituted ad-hoc committee stated in a statement on Saturday that all the challengers will be determined on May 31 and the "wrestle-off" between the "Challenger" and Olympic quota winner will take place on June 1.

Till now, only Asian Games medallist Antim Panghal has won an Olympic quota place after winning the bronze medal in the 53kg category at the World Championships.

The youngster might encounter Olympian Vinesh Phogat in the wrestle off for the Paris Olympics berth if the latter manages to emerge as her challenger.

India is eligible to earn 17 more quota places for the Paris Olympics in two tournaments -- six each in men's freestyle and greco-roman and five in the women's category.

The ad-hoc committee, led by Bhupender Singh Bajwa, said in a statement that the "comprehensive selection policy" for the 2024 Paris Olympics will ensure a "fair and transparent process in determining the athletes who will represent India on the global stage".

The other members of the Indian contingent for the two Olympic qualifying events will be selected on the basis of trials, to be conducted in all 30 Olympic and non-Olympic categories, from February 27-29.

UWW had banned WFI earlier this year for its failure to hold elections within a stipulated time frame. The election process has been stalled because of legal issues.

The Indian wrestlers will compete as a part of the Indian contingent despite the ban as Olympics is a multi-discipline event.