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Indian star wrester Sushil Kumar could give the forthcoming World Wrestling Championships a miss as the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) are not sure about fielding him in the marquee event, which will be held in Hungarian capital Budapest from September 16 to 22.
It may be pertinent to recall that the ace Indian grappler – who is the first countryman to win individual back-to-back Olympics medals (2008 Beijing and 2012 London) – had not featured in any international tournament or any WFI-conducted foreign exposure trips since cornering glory at London.
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Sushil, who became the first wrestler to win a gold medal at the 2010 World Championships when he outfoxed Russian Alex Gogaev in the final of the 66-kg freestyle category, could miss this year’s edition as the WFI think-tank are keen to rest him.
Earlier in the year, the champion grappler had missed the 27th Senior Asian Wrestling Championship held in New Delhi. He also opted out of the the Dave Schultz Memorial International tournament in Colorado Springs after preparing for the same.
It’s a different matter altogether that Sushil Kumar’s eleventh hour replacement, Amit Dhankar, went on to spring a big surprise bagging a gold in the freestyle 66-kg category at the 27th Senior Asian Wrestling Championship.
According to Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) sources, the 30-year-old grappler has fully recovered from the shoulder injury and is fully fit, but the federation wants to preserve him for other big events coming next year like the Asian Games and Commonwealth Games.
One is not sure why the WFI is keen on resting Sushil for the World Championship, where he has an excellent opportunity to retain the crown.
The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) will hold selection trials at the Sports Authority of India centre in Sonepat on August 13. It is learnt that names of two wrestlers in each weight category will be forwarded for the coaching camp.
In case Sushil Kumar is rested, his obvious replacement will be Amit Dhankar, who is riding high after the Asian Championship gold.
Olympic bronze medalist Yogeshwar Dutt had already opted out of the World Wrestling Championship on account of a knee injury.
The gangling wrestler had earlier, like Sushil Kumar, skipped the 27th Wrestling Federation of India citing injury concerns.
