Vinesh Phogat makes cut for Asian Olympic qualifiers after unprecedented drama in trials
Vinesh Phogat on Monday made the cut for Asian Olympic Qualifiers in the 50kg category after being allowed to fight in an unprecedented two weight divisions during the trials where she held up proceedings for almost three hours.
Phogat, who has been at the forefront of an emotionally-charged protest against former Wrestling Federation of India chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh after accusing him of sexual harassment, defeated Shivani 11-6 to book a place in the Qualifiers to be held in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan from April 19 to 21.
The 29-year-old is a two-time Olympian and an Asian and Commonwealth Games gold-medallist.
On Monday, she appeared in 50kg as well as the 53kg category trials after she apparently held up the bouts for three hours, demanding the unparalleled exception for herself. The IOA's three-member ad-hoc committee, which was in-charge of the proceedings, allowed her following several rounds of discussion.
What added to the drama was her initial alleged refusal to give samples for a dope test after the bouts.
«The NADA team was here to collect the dope samples of the national trial winners but Vinesh did not give her sample initially. She was told that she may land in trouble for skipping the dope test and later she provided her sample,» a federation source told PTI.
As per NADA rules, «evading sample collection; or refusing or failing to submit to sample collection without compelling justification after notification by a duly authorised person» could constitute an anti-doping rule violation (ADRV).
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